Kirk Fell

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802 mWainwright — Western Fells+3 bonus Birketts within 3 km Serious in Clag

Kirk Fell at 802m (2,631ft) is the often overlooked giant between Great Gable and Pillar, its steep, grassy western face rising directly from Black Sail Pass in a great dome.

Summit conditions on Kirk Fell

On the summit on Tuesday 27 October: 10° to 4°C, gusts to 66 mph, 9.4 mm of rain forecast over the whole day, midnight to midnight.

Against our lines, Tuesday 27 October: wind, cold and cloud from the Met Office UKV 2 km model (daylight hours, as in the verdict above); rain from the summit line’s forecast (the whole day). A tile is large when this top is past its line.

Wind on the top

Past the line

65 mph, our estimate for the open top in the worst daylight hour

The Met Office 2 km model’s gust of 51 mph times our exposure factor of 1.27. The summit line above gives Open-Meteo’s highest gust for the whole day, 66 mph, before any exposure factor.

The line Our line: 25 mph, where our wind Scale begins its 25–35 band: “balance affected; buffeting on exposed ground”. MWIS (opens in new tab) describes what wind does to a walker across a range rather than at a line: from about 20–25 mph it starts to affect your balance.

Estimated: it is not calibrated against summit readings, and the two forecasts can disagree by more than a band.

Rain, and the becks

Past the line

9.4 mm of rain over the whole day, midnight to midnight

The same figure as the summit line above and the 7-day forecast.

The line Our line: 6 mm in the day, where our scorer counts a day as soaking. We read rainfall, never river levels: becks in spate.

Open-Meteo’s forecast. It says nothing about rain already in the ground.

Also checked cold: feels like 0 °C, no ice or snow forecast; cloud: a clear-top reading of 32 out of 100, over our in-cloud line of 20. Under a line is not the same as fine: it means only that these figures are under the lines we use.

Not in these tiles Lightning, river levels, snow or ice already lying, and the ground under your feet. A tile cannot see them, so an empty space here never means they are absent.

Snow figures with a second opinion: Powered by Met Office data

Full 7-day summit forecast ↓

Wainwrights are scored for walking conditions each morning from the Met Office’s UK forecast model, read for each summit through Open-Meteo; the forecast figures are Open-Meteo’s, worked out for the summit’s height. How we check →

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in new tab)

Routes up Kirk Fell

Hand-mapped, with GPX to download — full maps further down.

Great Gable & Kirk Fell Planned, not yet walked

14.12 km · ~1146 m ascent · ~4½–6½ h · loop · 2 summits

Hard effort Severe: steepness

Park: Lake Head, Wasdale (NT, paid)

Two of Wasdale's hardest tops in one round — 14.1 km and 1,146 m, rated hard on every axis the site measures: length, terrain, navigation and exposure, with steepness severe. About 4½–6½ hours, and none of them easy.

Distance and climb are measured from the route’s GPX track, and the time from them by Naismith’s rule; the route page says what each grade rests on. How we check →

Is Kirk Fell hard to climb?

Yes — Kirk Fell (802 m / 2,631 ft) has a reputation as one of the more punishing fells in Wasdale. The direct line straight up from Wasdale Head is relentlessly, unremittingly steep on grass, with no real respite and no easy way to the top.

It's a serious test of stamina rather than a technical climb, and it's far longer than it looks from below. Pick your route and your day carefully.

How we check →

Conditions and 7-day summit forecast

Modelled for the 802 m summit (Open-Meteo). Check the Met Office mountain forecast and MWIS before you set off.

Full 7-day forecast

Tue 27 Oct

10° / 4°

66 mph

9.4 mm (100%)

Wed 28 Oct

8° / 5°

44 mph

9.4 mm (100%)

Thu 29 Oct

8° / 6°

27 mph

1.1 mm (26%)

Fri 30 Oct

7° / 5°

27 mph

0.1 mm (31%)

Sat 31 Oct

9° / 0°

9 mph

0.0 mm (25%)

Sun 1 Nov

7° / -1°

7 mph

0.0 mm (12%)

Mon 2 Nov

6° / 0°

17 mph

0.0 mm (0%)

Taken 27 October 2026, 08:13 UTC; the live forecast replaces it when it loads. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in new tab)

Pro mountain forecasts: MWIS · Met Office mountain forecast

Parking & buses for Kirk Fell

Parking

Route starts first, then the car parks nearest the summit, which are not always a way up.

Lake Head, Wasdale (NT, paid) — at the start of Great Gable & Kirk Fell

Walking base for Great Gable, Kirk Fell and Scafell Pike — the 'Great Gable & Kirk Fell' route starts 10 m away. Also serves 'Scafell Pike from Wasdale, by Lingmell Col'. National Trust's access statement records a pay-and-display machine here (National Trust, January 2024) but does not say which payment methods it takes; the same document notes mobile reception is poor across Wasdale, so carry coins as well as a card. Compacted surface (OSM-tagged). Toilets on site. National Trust, pay & display (free for members). The classic base for Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Yewbarrow. Fills very early. Fees: £7 up to 2 hours; £8.50 up to 4 hours; £10 all day. Charges apply at all times (NT, checked August 2026). Free for NT members (checked August 2026).

Directions Something changed here?

If it is full: Overbeck Bridge, Wastwater (NT, paid) (1.8 km, 110 m up); Greendale, Nether Wasdale (roadside, free) (4.9 km, 197 m up)

Wasdale Head Inn

Wasdale Head village green car park (free) — 2.2 km from summit (straight line)

At Wasdale Head, about 0.3 km south of the Wasdale Head Inn; the National Trust's Pillar trail starts here and calls it the Wasdale Head Village Green car park (grid ref NY 1868 0852, read 17 October 2026). The 'Round Kirk Fell from Wasdale Head' and 'Extended Mosedale Horseshoe' routes start here; the Great Gable and Scafell Pike routes start at Lake Head, 1.3 km on foot. Added from the 5 August 2026 OSM candidate review.

Directions Something changed here?

Positions are approximate.

Vehicles are left at their owner’s risk: we list places people park and cannot vouch for any of them. Take valuables with you and leave nothing on show.

Buses

We don’t know yet. Wasdale Explorer (seasonal) serves this area, but we don’t hold its stop positions, so we can’t measure the walk from it — and we won’t tell you to drive on the strength of a gap in our own data. The Wasdale Action Group lists it as running Saturdays, Sundays and bank holiday Mondays from the start of May to the end of August (read 30 September 2026): check before you travel.

Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat

Hazards on Kirk Fell

Hazard & Incident Information for Kirk Fell

Checked by Lee McCoy, 13 June 2026. Draws on published material from Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team. Editorial background, not a live callout feed.

Hazard: Moderate

A big, steep-sided fell between Great Gable and Pillar, rising in roughly 2,000 ft of unremitting grass and scree straight out of Wasdale Head. Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team is called here repeatedly — to walkers who become cragfast on the direct ascent through Kirkfell Crags, and to serious tumbling falls in the gullies. The flanks are punishing, the summit plateau is boggy and easily misread in cloud, and the usual passes either side are themselves steep and rough.

Kirkfell Crags / direct ascent from Wasdale Head: The direct line up the western nose toward Black Sail Pass climbs through Kirkfell Crags — a steep, broken band where the path is faint and easy to lose. Walkers regularly get cragfast here, unable to climb on or retreat safely, and serious falls have happened in the gullies. Don't push into steepening rock looking for the path; if it disappears, back off.
The steep Wasdale flanks (grass and scree): Around 2,000 ft of relentlessly steep grass and scree above Wasdale. A slip on the upper grass when wet, or on loose scree, can run a long way. Tiring on the way up and treacherous coming down — pace yourself and pick a careful line.
Summit plateau navigation in cloud: The broad top has twin summits and small tarns and few clear landmarks. In mist it is easy to set off down the wrong steep flank toward Beck Head or the wrong pass. Take a bearing before leaving the summit.
Black Sail Pass & Beck Head approaches: The passes either side are the standard ways up, but both are steep and rough, with loose ground and steep drops nearby. Care needed on descent, especially tired or in poor visibility.

Who should attempt this fell: Kirk Fell is a strenuous fell with a genuinely awkward direct route. The summit needs careful navigation in cloud, and the long steep flanks demand respect on the descent. Treat Kirkfell Crags as no-go in wet or poor visibility.

What to watch for: Walkers becoming cragfast in Kirkfell Crags on the direct ascent · Tumbling falls in the gullies and on the steep grass/scree flanks · Navigation errors off the boggy twin-topped summit in cloud · Exhaustion and cold on the long, steep ground above Wasdale

Local Mountain Rescue: Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

Safety: 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.

Report incorrect information (opens in new tab)

Navigating in cloud

Serious in cloud

Of the three things our terrain model measures, the highest reading here is the amount of steep ground within half a kilometre of the summit. A serious place to be caught in cloud: carry map and compass (or GPS) and know how to use them, or save it for a clear day.

In winter — snow, whiteout, cornices, buried features — every top demands full winter navigation skills whatever its band, and a broad, gentle summit can be the worst place of all. See walking in bad weather and the navigation guide.

How Kirk Fell compares with all 214: the Clag Index (experimental).

If you need Mountain Rescue

Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.

Before you call, have ready: where you are (a grid reference if you can – the OS Locate app shows yours on your phone), what has happened, how many of you there are, and your mobile number.

Then stay where you are until the rescue team contacts you.

If you cannot make a voice call because of a hearing or speech impairment, emergency SMS works only if you have registered first: text “register” to 999.

From Mountain Rescue England and Wales’s guidance on calling them out (opens in new tab) (read 26 October 2026).

Map, GPX and nearby Birketts

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap, with SRTM elevation data (switch layers top-right).

Parking, toilets and buses: Parking & buses ↑.

Birketts within 3 km of Kirk Fell

These Birkett tops are not Wainwright summits. Distances are straight lines: check the ground and access on a map before adding one.

0.5 km ENEKirk Fell East Top (Kirk Fell North Top)787 m · Western

1.6 km NWLooking Stead (Pillar)628 m · Western

2.3 km SWYewbarrow North Top (Stirrup Crag)617 m · Western

Routes over Kirk Fell

Great Gable & Kirk Fell

14.12 km · ~1146 m ascent · loop · ~4½–6½ h

Hard effort Severe: steepness

Summits: Great GableKirk Fell

Download GPX Planned route · not yet walked

Warnings: Great Gable: A featureless boulder dome; walkers regularly set off down the wrong side into steep ground. A compass and the ability to hold a bearing are essential.

From the hazard notes for Great Gable, each with its sources.

Route guide: Great Gable & Kirk Fell →

Every line here is a guide, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate for yourself and carry a map and compass. How to use this guide.

On the hill: terrain and water on Kirk Fell

Water & shelter on the way up

On the Great Gable & Kirk Fell route:

possible water source (2 m off the line) possible water source (24 m off the line) possible water source (39 m off the line) Campsite toilet (32 m off the line) Wasdale Campsite (114 m from the start, straight line)

Treat water from the fell before you drink it. A mapped point is not proof the water is drinkable, so carry your own or use a supply you know is safe. Never drink untreated from a beck, stream or tarn — even clear-looking hill water can carry giardia or cryptosporidium from livestock upstream and leave you seriously ill. Use a treatment method suited to what might be in the water, and follow the device’s own instructions. Boiling and ordinary filters do not make water with dissolved metals or chemicals safe: where that is possible, choose another source.

On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors, per route — an absent marker doesn’t mean none.

About Kirk Fell

Kirk Fell, a Lake District fell — Photo: Ann Bowker (madaboutmountains.com), CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Wainwright noted it as a fell of simple, uncompromising bulk — the summit is a broad, somewhat featureless plateau, but the views of Great Gable from the connecting ridge are among the finest close-up views of that mountain available to walkers. The ascent from Wasdale via Black Sail gives excellent views throughout. Often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours, it rewards those who make the effort.

Classifications & hill data

Is Kirk Fell a Wainwright?

Kirk Fell is a Wainwright. It is also on the Birkett list, the Synge list, the Nuttall list, the Fellranger list, the Marilyn list and the Hewitt list.

Selected lists

802 m

Height

2,631 ft

In feet

NY 1949 1048

Grid ref

This is the summit’s grid reference. If you call from anywhere else, give your own position, not this one.

The summit is also a Birkett.

Other tops of Kirk Fell

Kirk Fell East Top (Kirk Fell North Top): 787 m (2,582 ft)Our routes over it: none

Lists, height and summit position from the Database of British and Irish Hills; the feet are converted from its metres and the grid reference from that position. How we check →

The view from Kirk Fell

The 360° skyline from Kirk Fell

A computed 360° skyline — every visible named top labelled by distance and bearing, from the terrain model in perfect clarity, not photographed. Drag to pan; reveal the far four-nations horizon.

drag to pan · arrow keys

The skyline as a list, by direction

North: Wandope (9 km), Crag Hill (10 km), Grasmoor (10 km), Grisedale Pike (12 km), Skiddaw Little Man (19 km), Skiddaw South Top (19 km), Skiddaw Middle Top (20 km), Skiddaw (20 km)
North-east: White Side (16 km), Raise (16 km), Watson's Dodd (17 km), Stybarrow Dodd (17 km), Little Dodd (17 km), Great Dodd (18 km), Green Side (18 km), Skiddaw Lesser Man (19 km), Knowe Crags (20 km), Gategill Fell Top (21 km), Blencathra (22 km)
East: Green Gable (2 km), Helvellyn Lower Man (15 km), High Crag (15 km), Nethermost Pike (15 km), Dollywaggon Pike (15 km), Helvellyn (16 km), Fairfield (16 km), Cofa Pike (16 km), Hart Crag (17 km), High Raise (26 km)
South-east: Broad Crag (4 km), Great End (4 km), Scafell Pike (4 km), Ill Crag (4 km), Allen Crags (5 km), Bowfell (6 km)
South: Scafell (4 km)
West: Scoat Fell (4 km)
North-west: Pillar (3 km), High Stile (5 km), High Stile (5 km)

On the clearest days the far horizon adds: Snowdon (167 km, Wales), Carnedd Llewelyn (155 km, Wales), Merrick (107 km, Scotland), Aran Fawddwy (191 km, Wales), Snaefell (83 km, Isle of Man), Moel Siabod (163 km, Wales), Cairnsmore of Carsphairn (106 km, Scotland), Corserine (104 km, Scotland).

Computed from Copernicus GLO-30 terrain; distant tops from the Database of British and Irish Hills v18.4 (opens in new tab) (CC BY 4.0). See how we compute the view · and the summit intervisibility report below.

Sunrise and sunset on Kirk Fell

Kirk Fell waits for the sun. Its longest wait of the modelled year falls at the March equinox, when the sun is up for 23 minutes before it clears this skyline — first light 06:39 against an almanac sunrise of 06:16. You are standing in shadow while the valley below is already lit. The sun comes up to the east from here (93.8°), and the skyline on that bearing stands at 3.07°.

Midsummer. The filled shape is the skyline as seen from the summit; the line is the sun’s path. Where they meet is first light — everything left of that point is the wait.

Times for 2026, in Lakeland clock time (GMT in winter, BST in summer) — and model outputs rather than observations.
	First light	Almanac sunrise	Difference
Midsummer	04:33 BST ±5.0 min	04:38	-5 min
Equinox	06:39 GMT ±5.0 min	06:16	+23 min
Midwinter	08:50 GMT ±5.0 min	08:33	+17 min

A low, open northern horizon — the ground falls away northwards (mean -0.34°).

Last light — when the sun leaves Kirk Fell

The evening here runs close to the flat-horizon case. Even on its earliest evening of the modelled year (on 1 August) last light is only 11 minutes before almanac sunset, so the published sunset time is a fair guide on Kirk Fell.

The evening of the same three days. A negative difference means a ridge takes the sun before the valley loses it.
	Last light	Almanac sunset	Difference
Midsummer	21:58 BST ±5.0 min	21:53	+5 min
Equinox	18:25 GMT ±5.0 min	18:27	-2 min
Midwinter	15:58 GMT ±5.0 min	15:50	+8 min

These are daylight figures, not a descent plan: the light goes on fading for a good while after the sun leaves, and going down in it is a decision about your own ground and party, not about this table.

What you can see from Kirk Fell

On a clear day — computed sightlines, curvature- and refraction-corrected.

70Wainwrights in view+8 marginal

182 kmFurthest sightlineSlieve Binnian · possible under favourable refraction

2Sea in viewIrish Sea, Solway Firth

On the clearest days the view reaches across to Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.

Far horizons

Slieve Binnian Northern IrelandW · 182 km clear
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) WalesSSW · 167 km clear
Carnedd Llewelyn WalesSSW · 152 km clear
Merrick ScotlandNW · 109 km clear
Snaefell Isle of ManWSW · 83 km clear
Whernside Yorkshire DalesESE · 61 km clear
Criffel ScotlandNNW · 58 km clear
Solway Firth bay/estuaryNNW · 46 km in view
Irish Sea open waterSW · 42 km in view

All 70 Wainwrights in clear view (nearest first)

Great Gable, Green Gable, Brandreth, Lingmell, Haystacks (Buttermere), Pillar, Red Pike (Wasdale), Yewbarrow, Grey Knotts, Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell), Great End, High Crag (Buttermere), Fleetwith Pike, Scafell Pike, Steeple, Scafell, Allen Crags, High Stile, Middle Fell, Dale Head, Seatallan, Illgill Head, Bowfell, Robinson, Hindscarth, High Spy, Starling Dodd, Whin Rigg (Wasdale), Knott Rigg, Pike of Stickle, Whiteless Pike, Great Crag (Stonethwaite), Thunacar Knott, Harrison Stickle, Wandope, Crag Hill (Eel Crag), Sail, Ullscarf, Grasmoor, Causey Pike, High Tove, Armboth Fell (Armboth Fell South Top), Hopegill Head, Barrow, High Seat, Grisedale Pike, Green Crag, Blake Fell, Bleaberry Fell, Nethermost Pike, Dollywaggon Pike, Helvellyn, White Side, Raise, Fairfield, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Hart Crag, Dodd (Skiddaw), Great Dodd, Clough Head, Carl Side, Skiddaw Little Man, Long Side, Ullock Pike, Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw, Blencathra - Hallsfell Top, Carrock Fell, High Pike (Caldbeck)

How the view from Kirk Fell compares with all 214 — the View Report: every Wainwright ranked by what you can see from the top.

How the skyline, light and sightlines are computed

Computed, not photographed. First light is the first minute the sun’s upper limb clears this summit’s own skyline and last light the last minute it is still clear of it, both solved against the 360° horizon profile behind The View from Kirk Fell. Almanac sunrise and sunset are the flat-horizon convention. Every time carries a ± band from the 30 m elevation model — it smooths arêtes and cornices, so nothing here claims better than five minutes.

Sightlines from the Copernicus GLO-30 elevation model, which is a surface model: each 30 m cell holds the top of whatever stands there, trees and buildings included, rather than bare ground. Corrected for the Earth’s curvature and average atmospheric refraction. “Distant” sightlines and any over 100 km depend on exceptionally clear air. Modelled from Copernicus GLO-30 open elevation data — a guide to the view, not a guarantee of any single one.

Places to stay near this fell

We have not verified an independent place near this fell — these are the chains and charities that serve it.

YHA Wasdale Hall (opens in new tab) hostelabout 4.8 km

We have not stayed at any of them. We take no bookings or affiliate fees. Distances are straight lines from each route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).

Frequently asked questions about Kirk Fell

Is Kirk Fell hard to climb? Answered above.

What is the easiest route up Kirk Fell?

There's no genuinely easy way, but the kindest line is to avoid the brutal direct slope and instead go round via Black Sail Pass (from Wasdale Head, between Kirk Fell and Pillar) or up the valley of Gable Beck to Beck Head, then onto the summit by the gentler spur of Rib End.

These add distance but spread the climb out more sensibly than the merciless front face.

Sources: Knowledge.me.uk — Ascent of Kirk Fell (opens in new tab)

How long does it take to climb Kirk Fell? Answered above: Routes up Kirk Fell.

Is it easy to get lost on Kirk Fell?

It can be. Kirk Fell has a broad, flat summit plateau with two tarns and little to aim for, so in mist it's easy to lose your bearings and stray toward steep, craggy ground on the Wasdale and Ennerdale sides.

Take a compass bearing before leaving the top, don't wander to the edges in poor visibility, and treat the descent with as much care as the climb.

Sources: Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

Is Kirk Fell suitable for beginners?

It's not a good first fell. The relentless steepness, rough ground and confusing plateau make it hard work and demanding to navigate — better tackled once you're fit, sure-footed and confident with a map and compass.

If you're newer to the fells, build up on gentler hills first, then come to Kirk Fell on a clear, dry day by one of the less savage approaches.

Sources: Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

Where do you start the walk up Kirk Fell?

The usual start is Wasdale Head, at the head of Wast Water, using the National Trust car park or parking near the Wasdale Head Inn. It's a remote spot reached by narrow lanes, and it's the springboard for Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Pillar and Scafell Pike.

It fills early on fine days, so arrive in good time.

Sources: go4awalk — Walks up Kirk Fell (opens in new tab)

What should I wear and take up Kirk Fell?

Wear proper walking boots with good grip for the steep grass and rough, rocky ground, and carry warm and waterproof layers — the summit is high, exposed and remote. A map and compass are essential for the featureless plateau, along with water, food and a charged phone.

Check the mountain forecast, and treat the steep slopes as serious terrain in wind, wet or winter conditions, when grass becomes treacherous.

Sources: MWIS — Lake District forecast (opens in new tab)

Questions from Google’s “People also ask”. · Last updated 2026-06-15 · Suggest a question or correction (opens in new tab)

Kirk Fell

Summit conditions on Kirk Fell

Wind on the top

Rain, and the becks

Routes up Kirk Fell

Is Kirk Fell hard to climb?

Conditions and 7-day summit forecast

Parking & buses for Kirk Fell

Parking

Buses

Hazards on Kirk Fell

Hazard & Incident Information for Kirk Fell

Navigating in cloud

If you need Mountain Rescue

Map, GPX and nearby Birketts

Birketts within 3 km of Kirk Fell

Routes over Kirk Fell

On the hill: terrain and water on Kirk Fell

Water & shelter on the way up

About Kirk Fell

Classifications & hill data

Is Kirk Fell a Wainwright?

Selected lists

Other tops of Kirk Fell

The view from Kirk Fell

The 360° skyline from Kirk Fell

Sunrise and sunset on Kirk Fell

Last light — when the sun leaves Kirk Fell

What you can see from Kirk Fell

Places to stay near this fell

Frequently asked questions about Kirk Fell

Other fells near Kirk Fell