Mountain (Hewitt), Wainwright, Nuttall & Marilyn Icon

Kirk Fell
802m (2631ft)

The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England


Record Kirk Fell as Bagged, Climbed & Conquered


English Mountain Icon

English Mountain
42nd highest in England,
77th in England & Wales

Wainwright Icon

Wainwright
(No. 33)

English Nuttall Icon

English Nuttall
49th highest in England,
92nd in England & Wales

English Marilyn Icon

English Marilyn
15th highest in England,
391st highest in Great Britain

Walk Kirk Fell walking UK Mountains in The Western Fells The Lake District National Park Cumbria, England

The view from the summit of Kirk Fell

Photo: Wayne Hill

You can find Kirk Fell & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)

The Lake District National Park


1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):

OL4 The English Lakes - North Western area


1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Maps (the ones with pink/magenta covers):

89 West Cumbria, Cockermouth & Wast Water


90 Penrith & Keswick, Ambleside


See Kirk Fell and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:

See Kirk Fell and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:

NB: Whether you print off a copy on to paper or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers Maps will prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal!


You can walk to the top of Kirk Fell by using any of these 6 easy‑to‑follow route maps:
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Walk c338 Great Gable and Kirk Fell from Honister Hause

Easy to follow paths - a Lakeland classic

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 7.5ml (12km)
Ascent:3,289ft (1,002m)
Time:6 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk c240 Kirk Fell, Pillar and Little Scoat Fell from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Fantastic high level walk with glorious views

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 7.75ml (12.5km)
Ascent:4,808ft (1,465m)
Time:7.75hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
Walking Boot Print Icon

Walk c151 Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Hay Stacks from Honister Hause

Good paths on rough ground

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 8.5ml (13.5km)
Ascent:4,260ft (1,298m)
Time:7.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
Walking Boot Print Icon

Walk c417 Base Brown, Great Gable and Kirk Fell from Honister Hause

Easy to follow paths with great views

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 9ml (14.5km)
Ascent:3,965ft (1,208m)
Time:7½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
Walking Boot Print Icon

Walk c141 Great Gable and Pillar from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Superb high level route from remote Wasdale

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 11.25ml (18km)
Ascent:5,819ft (1,773m)
Time:10 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 9 Icon (Very Hard)
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Walk c120 The Ennerdale Horseshoe

Strenuous, high level route worth every step - if you have the energy!

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 18.75ml (30km)
Ascent:7,309ft (2,408m)
Time:14.75hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 9 Icon (Very Hard)

Other walkers who hiked, climbed, bagged and summited Kirk Fell Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Kirk Fell

Christine Shepherd walked up Kirk Fell on June 4th, 2007 [from/via/route] Walked from Honister Slate mine using walk c151 Climbed again on 23.08.2021 from Wasdale, the first fell in a long day's walking using walk c240. [with] On my own [weather] Hot & hazy - Followed the walk route over Kirk fell but didn't climb Great Gable on this occasion as my husband was waiting for me at Honister. On my second visit I descended via the scree slope. An exciting descent but not for the faint hearted. Climbed for a third time on 8.6.23 using walk c417, in gorgeous sunshine with a pleasant breeze.

Ian Ashton climbed Kirk Fell on May 13th, 2023 [with] Jph

Martyn Atherton bagged Kirk Fell on September 20th, 2020 [from/via/route] c338 Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, Great Gable, Kirk Fell [with] Martyn and Paul [weather] Cloudy at first then very warm & sunny - Great view of the mines

Paul Macey hiked Kirk Fell on June 6th, 2022 [from/via/route] C417 in reverse [with] Luke [weather] Cloudy but cloud above summits

Darren Wilson summited Kirk Fell on June 20th, 2021 [from/via/route] Last Wainright walks Red Pike, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Pillar & Kirk Fell [with] Mike [weather] Sunny dry beautiful day out, steep climb up

Christina Lander conquered Kirk Fell on June 4th, 2021 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head - Kirk Fell - Pillar - Yewbarrow - Wasdale Head [with] Dick [weather] A beautiful, sunny day - During our holiday staying at Station House, Troutbeck, Penrith

Kevin Foster scaled Kirk Fell on May 14th, 2021 [from/via/route] Honister Pass (slate mine). [with] By myself. [weather] Low clouds down on tops gradually lifting. - The true summit of Kirk Fell is a short stroll from the East top across a grassy dip. The descent to Black Sail Pass looks a bit daunting but isn't too bad if taken carefully. Again the views are worth it especially of Lingmell , the Scafell massif & Wasdale.

Caroline Winter walked up Kirk Fell on August 2nd, 2020 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head, Kirkfell, East Top, Kirkfell crags, Mosedale Beck [with] Becky [weather] Rain morning, clearing later - Direct route up steep south side. 2 groups of Bob Graham challengers passed us. I found the steepness quite a struggle. Lunch in shelter at top before finding the sister top. Intended to include Pillar, but decided to add on to our Yewbarrow walk in a few days time. Pleasant descent of Mosedale beck & an early steak dinner at the Inn.

Andrew Johnson climbed Kirk Fell on November 8th, 2019 [from/via/route] Honister [with] Ted [weather] Cloudy

Bay Wan bagged Kirk Fell on August 24th, 2019 [from/via/route] Kirkfell to Great Gable [with] Cocoa dog - 8 yrs old [weather] Sunny summers day. 20 degrees - Lots of scree especialy at the top of Kirkfell.

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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell

Kirk Fell and Mosedale from Dore Head having just climbed up from Wasdale and heading for Yewbarrow

Kirk Fell and Mosedale from Dore Head having just climbed up from Wasdale and heading for Yewbarrow

Photo: Kerin Thorpe (1)

Pillar from Kirk Fell

Pillar from Kirk Fell

Photo: Matt Delemare (41)

*From Left to right: Caw Fell, Seatallan, Red Pike, Pillar, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Lingmell and Sca Fell and Wast Water (foreground) from Illgill Head (NB. Scafell Pike is largely hidden behind Sca Fell)

*From Left to right: Caw Fell, Seatallan, Red Pike, Pillar, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Lingmell and Sca Fell and Wast Water (foreground) from Illgill Head (NB. Scafell Pike is largely hidden behind Sca Fell)

Photo: Wayne Hill (34)

*Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Lingmell from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

*Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Lingmell from Wasdale Head, Wast Water

Photo: Wayne Hill (12)

A grand view overlooking the valley of upper Wasdale from Esk Hause with Pillar, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Green Gable taking centre stage

A grand view overlooking the valley of upper Wasdale from Esk Hause with Pillar, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Green Gable taking centre stage

Photo: Andy Malcolm (228)

Kirk Fell (East Top) (left) and Kirk Fell from Black Sail Pass

Kirk Fell (East Top) (left) and Kirk Fell from Black Sail Pass

Photo: David Connolly (15)

Kirk Fell with Pillar and Little Scoat Fell beyond from Great Gable summit

Kirk Fell with Pillar and Little Scoat Fell beyond from Great Gable summit

Photo: Matt Delemare (33)

Innominate Tarn, Hay Stacks with Great Gable,  Kirk Fell and Scafell Pike in the distance

Innominate Tarn, Hay Stacks with Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Scafell Pike in the distance

Photo: Ian Mansell (22)

Snow on Yewbarrow (North Top) left, Red Pike (centre right) and the shoulder or Kirk Fell (right) tower above Wasdale from near Sty Head

Snow on Yewbarrow (North Top) left, Red Pike (centre right) and the shoulder or Kirk Fell (right) tower above Wasdale from near Sty Head

Photo: Bob Ferguson (72)

Beck Head and Beckhead Tarn with Kirk Fell beyond from below Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable

Beck Head and Beckhead Tarn with Kirk Fell beyond from below Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable

Photo: Matt Delemare (36)

Wast Water and Wasdale Head from the lower slopes of Great Gable and Kirk Fell

Wast Water and Wasdale Head from the lower slopes of Great Gable and Kirk Fell

Photo: Ian McCutcheon (5)

On the ridge between Great Borne and Starling Dodd with Great Gable and Kirk Fell in the distance

On the ridge between Great Borne and Starling Dodd with Great Gable and Kirk Fell in the distance

Photo: Christine Shepherd (863)

Wast Water, Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (centre left), Great Gable (centre right) and Lingmell Fell (right) from Illgill Head

Wast Water, Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (centre left), Great Gable (centre right) and Lingmell Fell (right) from Illgill Head

Photo: Ian Mansell (10)

Green Gable, Great Gable and Kirk Fell from Innominate Tarn

Green Gable, Great Gable and Kirk Fell from Innominate Tarn

Photo: Alan Wainwright (242)

Seatallan, Great Scoat Fell, Little Scoat Fell, Red Pike (Wasdale), Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Whin Rigg from Irton Pike

Seatallan, Great Scoat Fell, Little Scoat Fell, Red Pike (Wasdale), Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Whin Rigg from Irton Pike

Photo: Andy Malcolm (179)

Kirk Fell from Black Sail Pass

Kirk Fell from Black Sail Pass

Photo: David Connolly (17)

Kirk Fell from the tarn above Black Sail Pass

Kirk Fell from the tarn above Black Sail Pass

Photo: David Connolly (19)

Great Gable (centre) and Kirk Fell (right) from below Black Sail Hut (Youth Hostel) Ennerdale

Great Gable (centre) and Kirk Fell (right) from below Black Sail Hut (Youth Hostel) Ennerdale

Photo: Rob Barklamb (8)

Our new addition Neela ( 1st time in the Lakes) on Hay Stacks (Haystacks) with Green Gable (left), Windy Gap, Great Gable and Kirk Fell (right) very clear in the background

Our new addition Neela ( 1st time in the Lakes) on Hay Stacks (Haystacks) with Green Gable (left), Windy Gap, Great Gable and Kirk Fell (right) very clear in the background

Photo: Paul Baldry (3)

Kirk Fell summit cairn with Great Gable in the background

Kirk Fell summit cairn with Great Gable in the background

Photo: Matt Delemare (40)


. . . see all 65 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell


Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Kirk Fell

If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Kirk Fell to this page, please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to:



and we shall do our best to publish them.

(Guide Resolution = 300dpi. At least = 660pixels (wide) x 440 pixels (high).)

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