Hazard: Moderate
A subsidiary top on St Sunday Crag's broad back above Patterdale, between the deep valleys of Grisedale and Deepdale. The ridge itself is straightforward, but its flanks are steep and broken on both sides — and the firm advice here is to stick to the ridge: descents off the flanks are difficult at best and dangerous at worst. Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team covers this ground.
- Steep flanks — stay on the ridge: Birks falls away steeply into Grisedale and Deepdale, with broken, rough ground on both sides. Any descent off the flanks is fraught with difficulty and can be dangerous — keep to the ridge and use the proper paths down, especially in cloud.
- Proximity to St Sunday Crag's crags: The steep arête up to St Sunday Crag, and that fell's dramatic Pinnacle Ridge buttresses and gullies, lie close by. If continuing, keep to the ridge line and don't stray toward the steep northern crags.
- Navigation in cloud: The broad ridge can be misread in mist, and a wrong line leads onto the dangerous flanks. Take a compass bearing and keep to the crest.
Who should attempt this fell: Birks is easy along its ridge but unforgiving off it — the single most important thing is to stay on the ridge and use the proper paths, because the flanks into Grisedale and Deepdale are difficult and potentially dangerous to descend. Navigate by compass in cloud, keep clear of St Sunday Crag's steep northern ground, and take care in winter.
Most common causes: Dangerous or difficult descents attempted off the steep Grisedale/Deepdale flanks · Walkers drifting toward St Sunday Crag's steep northern ground · Navigation errors off the broad ridge in cloud · Slips on steep, rough or wet ground
Local Mountain Rescue: Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab) · Reviewed 14 Jun 2026
Safety: Hazard guidance compiled from published Mountain Rescue reports and well-documented accident history - editorial background, not a live feed of callouts. Always check current conditions, carry proper navigation equipment, and seek qualified instruction before heading onto the fells. In an emergency, call 999, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.
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