Kirk Fell
802m (2631ft)
The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Not familiar with Kirk Fell?
See the location of Kirk Fell and all 6 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map
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: |  | (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
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: |  | (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.
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: | | (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.
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: | | (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
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: |  | (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.
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: | | (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
Martyn Atherton walked up 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 climbed Kirk Fell on June 6th, 2022 [from/via/route] C417 in reverse [with] Luke [weather] Cloudy but cloud above summits
Christine Shepherd bagged 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.
Darren Wilson hiked 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 summited 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 conquered 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 scaled 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 walked up Kirk Fell on November 8th, 2019 [from/via/route] Honister [with] Ted [weather] Cloudy
Bay Wan climbed 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 bagged 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 hiked 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 summited 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 conquered Kirk Fell on August 20th, 2018 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head [with] Sue [weather] Low mist & drizzle
Phillip Bulley scaled Kirk Fell on June 12th, 2018 [from/via/route] Via Fleetwith Pike. [with] Ruby. [weather] Sunny.
Tracey Cowell walked up Kirk Fell on June 6th, 2018 [from/via/route] Honister Slate Mine & Moses Trod [with] Anita and Teddy [weather] Sun & cloud, warm
Simon Myerscough climbed 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 bagged 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 hiked Kirk Fell on July 13th, 2016 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head - 29 July 2017 - The Wainwright 60 - Day 1 (Ennerdale)
David Wand summited 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 conquered 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 scaled Kirk Fell on October 17th, 2005 [with] Mike [weather] Quite good for October - some good views
Anthony Scott walked up Kirk Fell on October 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Honister Hause [with] me [weather] very sunny
Clive Ward climbed 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 bagged 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 hiked Kirk Fell on August 18th, 2014 [with] Roger and Sandra Wain
Christine Knowles summited 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 conquered Kirk Fell on August 28th, 2013 [from/via/route] Lingmell Beck Great Gable Green Gable & Kirk Fell [weather] Mist clearing to sunny
Joanne Mcgawley scaled Kirk Fell on August 6th, 2015 [with] Rich [weather] Rain, Cloud & Sun - 9.7 miles
David Noble walked up 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 climbed Kirk Fell on July 11th, 2015 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head, Pillar [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Cloudy
Kevin Parnham bagged 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 hiked 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 summited Kirk Fell on April 17th, 2015 [from/via/route] Base Brown [with] lynn Parkin
Simon Duerden has conquered 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 scaled 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 walked up Kirk Fell on July 23rd, 2014 [with] Sally
Andy Gibbs climbed Kirk Fell during 1987 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite via Great Gable (Aaron's Slack route) [with] Andy Emmerson [weather] Good
Keith Eastman bagged Kirk Fell on June 14th, 2014 [from/via/route] c417
Mike Jackson hiked Kirk Fell on July 5th, 2014 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head
Charlie Housley summited 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.
Claire Kirk conquered Kirk Fell on May 2nd, 2014 [from/via/route] Honister via Great Gable [weather] Dry & clear
John Tippins scaled 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 walked up Kirk Fell on June 7th, 2014 [from/via/route] The Wasdale Horseshoe [with] The Lake District Walker
Chris Faulkner climbed 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 bagged Kirk Fell on June 19th, 2012 [with] Hannah Phillips
Brian Laverty hiked Kirk Fell on April 28th, 2011 [from/via/route] wasdale head [with] wendy [weather] clear,windy
Dale Verrall summited Kirk Fell on March 18th, 2011 [from/via/route] Wast water - Walk number C101 [with] Les & Amber [weather] Nice day
Victoria Bates conquered Kirk Fell on February 18th, 2013 [from/via/route] Wasdale Head
Andrew Martin scaled Kirk Fell on May 3rd, 2010 [from/via/route] wasdale head [with] myself
Raymond Barnett walked up Kirk Fell on January 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] honister [with] myself [weather] windy snow & rain - scary
Iain Taylor climbed Kirk Fell on July 28th, 2010 [from/via/route] Wast Water (NY 16811 06823)
Darren Mortimer bagged 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 hiked Kirk Fell on July 1st, 2008 [with] Andy [weather] Sunny
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.
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Not familiar with Kirk Fell?
See the location of Kirk Fell and all 6 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map
More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell
Looking NE up Wast Water to featuring Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell and Great Gable (right) from near Lund Bridge
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
Lingmell (left) and Kirk Fell in sunlight from near Dropping Crag below Scafell Pike
Beck Head and Beckhead Tarn with Kirk Fell beyond from below Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable
Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Great End and Lingmell from the summit of Yewbarrow
Yewbarrow with Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Lingmell beyond from Middle Fell (Wasdale)
Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable panorama featuring Kirk Fell (foreground centre), Wast Water, Wasdale and Yewbarrow with Middle Fell and Seatallan beyond (left), Red Pike (Wasdale), Little Scoat Fell and Pillar behind Kirk Fell (centre) and Ennerdale with Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile, High Crag and Crummock Water (right)
*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)
Yewbarrow (left), Kirk Fell (partially hidden), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head (right) from across Wast Water
Piers Gill with Lingmell (near left) and Kirk Fell (centre) and Great Gable (right) on the horizon
Green Gable (left) and Great Gable (centre left) and the shoulder of Kirk Fell from Loft Beck
Yewbarrow (left), the shoulder of Kirk Fell, Great Gable (centre) and Lingmoor Fell (right) from Wast Water
Haycock, Little Scoat Fell, Red Pike (Wasdale), Pillar, Top of Stirrup Crag, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Great End, Lingmell, Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, Slightside, Harter Fell (Eskdale) and Burnmoor Tarn from the summit of Yewbarrow
*Kirk Fell (left), Great Gable (centre) Lingmell, Scafell Pike (partially hidden) and Illgill Head across Wast Water
Kirk Fell (foreground), Pillar, Ennerdale, Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile, High Crag and Crummock Water (far right) from Westmorland Cairn, Great Gable
. . . see all 65 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell
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See the location of Kirk Fell and all 6 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map
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