Kirk Fell
802m (2631ft)
The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.5ml (12km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,289ft (1,002m) |
| Time: | 6 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Moses' Trod - Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk - Honister Pass
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.75ml (12.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,808ft (1,465m) |
| Time: | 7.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Wasdale Head - Kirk Fell - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) - Steeple - Red Pike (Wasdale) - Dore Head - Mosedale Beck - Wasdale Head - Wast Water.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8.5ml (13.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,260ft (1,298m) |
| Time: | 7.25hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Green Crag (Buttermere) - Black Beck - Blackbeck Tarn - Innominate Tarn - Hay Stacks (Haystacks) - Scarth Gap - Ennerdale - River Liza - Black Sail Hut (Youth Hostel) - Black Sail Path - Kirk Fell - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Beckhead Tarn - Beck Head - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Windy Gap - Green Gable - Gillercomb Head - Brandreth - Grey Knotts - Honister Hause.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9ml (14.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,965ft (1,208m) |
| Time: | 7½ hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - Blackmoor Pols - Base Brown - Mitchell Cove - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Moses' Trod - Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk - Honister Pass
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11.25ml (18km) |
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| Ascent: | 5,819ft (1,773m) |
| Time: | 10 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Wasdale Head - Moses' Trod - Lingmell Beck - Gable Beck Bridge - Sty Head - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell) - Steeple - Red Pike (Wasdale) - Dore Head - Mosedale Beck - Wasdale Head - Wast Water.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 18.75ml (30km) |
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| Ascent: | 7,309ft (2,408m) |
| Time: | 14.75hrs |
| Grade: | (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Bowness Knott Car Park Ennerdale - Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre - High Gillerthwaite Yourth Hostel - Red Pike (Buttermere) - High Stile - High Crag (Buttermere) - Seat (Buttermere) - Scarth Gap - Hay Stacks (Haystacks) - Innominate Tarn - Blackbeck Tarn - Black Beck - Green Crag (Buttermere) - Great Round How - Brandreth - Gillercomb Head - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Black Sail Pass - Looking Stead (Pillar) - High Level Route - Robinson's Cairn - Pillar - Wind Gap - Black Crag (Pillar) - High Beck - Low Beck - Ennerdale.
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Kirk Fell
Geoff Hand walked up Kirk Fell on September 3rd, 2024 [from/via/route] Walk C417 Great Gable & Kirk Fell from Honister. Set off from Honister & climbed Grey Knotts, from there onto Glamara. We then climbed towards Green Gable but went South to pick up Brown Base. We retraced our steps, climbed green gable & onto Gt Gable. Leaving Gt Gable in cloud we found the path down to Beck Head. When reached there the cloud had lifted off Kirk fell so we went for it. Came back by Moses's trod & the dismantled tramway to Honister. [with] Tess, my Jack Russell [weather] Started off quite sunny, however cloud moved in & covered Gt Gable. A bit drisly towards the end. - A really tough walk, one I would think twice about in the future. Very pleased with my navigation of Gt Gable as it was spot on! According to my garmin I didn't quite hit the top of Grey Knots & Brandreth. I find this incredible as I did a lot of tramping around to make sure I hit the tops today. So I'm claiming them anyway. NB I've also done them both before.
Christine Shepherd climbed 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 bagged Kirk Fell on May 13th, 2023 [with] Jph
Martyn Atherton hiked 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 summited Kirk Fell on June 6th, 2022 [from/via/route] C417 in reverse [with] Luke [weather] Cloudy but cloud above summits
Darren Wilson conquered 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 scaled 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 walked up 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 climbed 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 bagged Kirk Fell on November 8th, 2019 [from/via/route] Honister [with] Ted [weather] Cloudy
Bay Wan hiked 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.
Richard Marshall summited Kirk Fell on August 4th, 2019 [from/via/route] Start of Mosedale horseshoe [with] Bo and Andy Pratt [weather] Cloudy/sunny. Very warm. Then showers later on - Boot went so only did Kirk Fell
Richard Marchant conquered Kirk Fell on November 23rd, 1993 [from/via/route] This was a two day trip with an overnight camp at Beckhead Tarn below Great Gable. Day 1 we ascended Yewbarrow then onto Red Pike-Scoat Fell-Pillar-Kirk Fell & descended to Beckhead Tarn & camped the night & what a cold night. Day 2 Great Gable-Scafell Pike via the corridor route then Sca Fell & back down to Wasdale & the car. [with] Best Friend Ray Collins. [weather] Clear blue skies, no wind but very cold & in the minus overnight
Elaine Evans scaled Kirk Fell on June 18th, 2019 [from/via/route] From Honister slate mine to Kirk Fell via Moses Trod & return. [with] Sue [weather] Started overcast with a cool breeze & low cloud but it cleared & the sun came out to be a lovely day. - Superb views of Scafell range, Pillar & Great Gable to name but a few.
Bill Salisbury walked up Kirk Fell on August 20th, 2018 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Sue [weather] Low mist & drizzle
Phillip Bulley climbed Kirk Fell on June 12th, 2018 [from/via/route] Via Fleetwith Pike. [with] Ruby. [weather] Sunny.
Tracey Cowell bagged Kirk Fell on June 6th, 2018 [from/via/route] Honister Slate Mine & Moses Trod [with] Anita and Teddy [weather] Sun & cloud, warm
Simon Myerscough hiked Kirk Fell on November 12th, 2006 [from/via/route] C151 [with] Martin - Scramble on Kirk Fell, saw the remembrance day service on Great Gable from afar
John Almond summited Kirk Fell on September 17th, 2017 [from/via/route] go4awalk c417 from Honister Slate Mine - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - Base Brown - Green Gable - Great Gable - KIRK FELL - Wainwright 121 [with] Solo [weather] Good, improving throughout the day. Light cloud on summit of Great Gable. - Horrible direct descent from Great Gable via scree/boulder field to Beck Head Tarn, not recommended! Probably better to descend via NW ridge to Beck Head as described in go4awalk walk c417 route description
Iain Jones conquered Kirk Fell on July 13th, 2016 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head - 29 July 2017 - The Wainwright 60 - Day 1 (Ennerdale)
David Wand scaled Kirk Fell on August 10th, 2011 [from/via/route] long walk as was doing as many in two days as poss. thunder storm all around me on the second night. [with] Long walk and camp on the hills.
Chris Sheard walked up Kirk Fell on October 16th, 2004 [from/via/route] Blacksail hut [with] George & Baz [weather] Misty with Occasional rain - Nice when the mist shifted
Mark Davidson climbed Kirk Fell on October 17th, 2005 [with] Mike [weather] Quite good for October - some good views
Anthony Scott bagged Kirk Fell on October 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Honister Hause [with] me [weather] very sunny
Clive Ward hiked Kirk Fell on September 12th, 2016 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head car park. Via Black Sail then Blacksail Buttress, then down SW ridge [with] Hazel [weather] Very windy on tops, light rain, mist, no visibility. - Hazel had real problems getting up the crags from Black Sail. Worst ever.
Doug Martin summited Kirk Fell on August 1st, 2016 [from/via/route] Straight up the nose from Wasdale Inn [with] Solo [weather] One of those rare days - ideal for walking with some sunshine, cool breeze. - Was making excellent time on the up until I hit the scree - sticks would have come in handy. Great feeling of exhilaration on reaching top & shelter. The off down to Black Sail pass not as bad as I'd been led to believe. Kept looking across to Dore Head at base of Red Pike & Yewbarrow thinking I must be mad & coming down it at end of day confirmed I was.
Elaine Grayson conquered Kirk Fell on August 18th, 2014 [with] Roger and Sandra Wain
Christine Knowles scaled Kirk Fell on May 18th, 2016 [from/via/route] Honister Hause over Moses Trod [with] Graham [weather] Cloudy, with cloud level rising up & down. Mostly we couldn't see much. - Second go - could see even less yesterday & aborted at Beck Head!
Tony Rogerson walked up Kirk Fell on August 28th, 2013 [from/via/route] Lingmell Beck Great Gable Green Gable & Kirk Fell [weather] Mist clearing to sunny
Joanne Mcgawley climbed Kirk Fell on August 6th, 2015 [with] Rich [weather] Rain, Cloud & Sun - 9.7 miles
David Noble bagged Kirk Fell on July 22nd, 2015 [from/via/route] From Wasdale Kirk Fell, Kirkfell Crags, Pillar via the high level route, Scoat Fell, Steeple, Red Pike, Stirrup Crags & Yewbarrow [with] Jack [weather] Rain brighter then sunny - direct ascent from Wasdale
Dave Eyes hiked Kirk Fell on July 11th, 2015 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head, Pillar [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Cloudy
Kevin Parnham summited Kirk Fell on May 14th, 2015 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head via Great Gable & Beck Head [with] Jo [weather] Lovely weather but a bit windy - Returned down direct path to wasdale Head from summit,not the best way down,very unstable scree & steep grass paths
Wayne Baxter conquered Kirk Fell on April 18th, 2015 [from/via/route] Honister Hause, along Moses Trod to Beck Head. Up Great Gable, back to Beck Head. Up Kirk Fell. Back along Moses Trod to Honister Hause [with] Sue [weather] Very sunny & hot - We got up at 5am to travel from Derby for this walk, what a great day
Derek Parkin scaled Kirk Fell on April 17th, 2015 [from/via/route] Base Brown [with] lynn Parkin
Simon Duerden has walked up Kirk Fell - Final Wainwright. The descent from the summit straight down to the Wasdale Head was terrible & will never be repeated by me.
Colin Egan climbed Kirk Fell on March 25th, 2015 [from/via/route] Ascent via Black Sail pass, descent via Beck Head [with] My wife Faith and son Peter [weather] Fair, sunny intervals, cold on top - Very challenging ascent up through the Kirkfell Crags, path we chose ended going up a very steep gully with frozen snow at the exit. Most severe scramble we have ever done. There may have been an easier path but we missed it!
David Hickin bagged Kirk Fell on July 23rd, 2014 [with] Sally
Andy Gibbs hiked Kirk Fell during 1987 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite via Great Gable (Aaron's Slack route) [with] Andy Emmerson [weather] Good
Keith Eastman summited Kirk Fell on June 14th, 2014 [from/via/route] c417
Mike Jackson conquered Kirk Fell on July 5th, 2014 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head
Charlie Housley scaled Kirk Fell on May 29th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Great Gable & across Moses Trod & straight up the eastern face close to Kirkfell Tarn. [with] Solo. [weather] Very good. Bright & sunny with a cooling breeze. - Decided it would be wise to summit this fell from this location as even Aw remarked how strenuous it is when climbing from Wasdale.
John Tippins walked up Kirk Fell on April 20th, 2014 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] on me tod [weather] Warmish in the valley. Misty, bit of rain & very strong winds on the peaks. - The scree slope near the top is a bit alarming. Don't like it when the ground is moving as fast as me in the opposite direction.
Harry Meijer climbed Kirk Fell on June 7th, 2014 [from/via/route] The Wasdale Horseshoe [with] The Lake District Walker
Chris Faulkner bagged Kirk Fell on February 16th, 2014 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Michelle Chandler and Samson [weather] Great. Cold, dry, high level cloud so great views. - Watched RAF rescue helicopter land at Wasdale Head & crew go into pub for lunch.
Beth Webster hiked Kirk Fell on June 19th, 2012 [with] Hannah Phillips
Brian Laverty summited Kirk Fell on April 28th, 2011 [from/via/route] wasdale head [with] wendy [weather] clear,windy
Dale Verrall conquered Kirk Fell on March 18th, 2011 [from/via/route] Wast water - Walk number C101 [with] Les & Amber [weather] Nice day
Victoria Bates scaled Kirk Fell on February 18th, 2013 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head
Andrew Martin walked up Kirk Fell on May 3rd, 2010 [from/via/route] wasdale head [with] myself
Raymond Barnett climbed Kirk Fell on January 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] honister [with] myself [weather] windy snow & rain - scary
Iain Taylor bagged Kirk Fell on July 28th, 2010 [from/via/route] Wast Water (NY 16811 06823)
Darren Mortimer hiked Kirk Fell on September 29th, 2012 [from/via/route] Honister [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] wet & windy with a little bit of sun thrown in from time to time
Tony Aspden summited Kirk Fell on July 1st, 2008 [with] Andy [weather] Sunny
Dale Sexton, Patrick Rogozinski, Melanie Dunn, Jenny Godfrey, David Hallam, Maxine Down, Jane Wilkinson, Michael Austin, David Butterfield, Paul Woodhouse, Louise Sandwith, Mr M A Blanchard, Peter Walsh, Adrian Roberts, Teresa Lowery, Peter Clark, David Shaw, John Walter, Carl Abbott, Peter O'sullivan, Jonathan Tobin, Angela Moroney, Paul Booth, Ian Thomas, Louis Smith, Jeanette Coward, Helen Marrs, Linda Mckeogh, Trevor Williams, John Cuthbert, Stephen Millington, Chris Bede, Rob Barklamb, Ray O'hara, Chris Bramley, Libby Burns and Rebecca Hardy have all walked, climbed & bagged Kirk Fell.To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell
On the ridge between Great Borne and Starling Dodd with Great Gable and Kirk Fell in the distance
Snow on Yewbarrow (North Top) left, Red Pike (centre right) and the shoulder or Kirk Fell (right) tower above Wasdale from near Sty Head
Wasdale Head (Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell and Great Gable), Whin Rigg and Eskdale Moor from Irton Pike
Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell from across Wast Water
Green Gable left), Great Gable (centre) and Kirk Fell (right) with the Scafell Massif beyond (centre) from High Crag (Buttermere)
Red Pike (Wasdale) and Little Scoat Fell (left), Mosedale, Pillar and Kirk Fell (centre) and Great Gable (right) from the summit of Scafell Pike
Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (partially hidden), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head (right) from across Wast Water
Red Pike (centre left), Pillar, Yewbarrow (centre), Kirk Fell & Great Gable (right) beyond Wast Water from Whin Rigg
*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)
Innominate Tarn, Hay Stacks with Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Scafell Pike in the distance
Green Gable, Great Gable (left of centre), Kirk Fell (centre) and Pillar (right) with the Scafell Massif beyond (centre) from High Crag
Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Great End and Lingmell from the summit of Yewbarrow
Kirk Fell with Pillar and Little Scoat Fell beyond from Great Gable summit
. . . see all 65 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell
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