Birks
624m (2047ft)
The Eastern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
You can find Birks & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):
See Birks and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Birks and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:
*Walk & bag all 35 Wainwrights in The Eastern Fells area of The Lake District in just 8 easy-to-follow circular walks.
*This version is marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks. Click here for more information.
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!
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 3.75ml (6km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,571ft (479m) |
| Time: | 3 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Patterdale - Arnison Crag - Glenamara Park - Birks - Thornhow End - Grisedale Bridge - Patterdale
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9.75ml (15.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,516ft (1,072m) |
| Time: | 7 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Patterdale - Arnison Crag - Birks - St Sunday Crag - Deepdale Hause - Cofa Pike - Fairfield - Rydal Head - Hart Crag - Blake Brow - Hartsop Above How - Hoggill Brow - Gale Crag - Bleaberry Knott - Cockley How - Bridgend - Patterdale
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10ml (16km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,979ft (1,213m) |
| Time: | 7½ hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Patterdale - Grisedale Bridge - Ruthwaite Lodge - The Tongue - Dollywaggon Pike - Seat Sandal - Grisedale Tarn - Deepdale Hause - St Sunday Crag - Birks - Patterdale
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11.5ml (18.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,582ft (1,396m) |
| Time: | 8.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Patterdale - Grisedale Bridge - Grisedale Beck - Brownends Plantation - Hole-in-the-Wall - Birkhouse Moor - Hole-in-the-Wall - Red Tarn (Helvellyn) - Bleaberry Crag - Low Spying How - High Spying How - Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - High Crag (Helvellyn) - Dollywaggon Pike - Grisedale Tarn - Deepdale Hause - St Sunday Crag - Birks - Patterdale
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 13.25ml (21km) |
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| Ascent: | 5,189ft (1,581m) |
| Time: | 10 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Patterdale - Grisedale Bridge - Grisedale Beck - Brownend Plantation - Hole-in-the-Wall - Birkhouse Moor - Hole-in-the-Wall - Red Tarn (Helvellyn) - Bleaberry Crag - Low Spying How - High Spying How - Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Nethermost Pike - High Crag (Helvellyn) - Dollywaggon Pike - Seat Sandal - Grisedale Tarn - St Sunday Crag - Birks - Arnison Crag - Patterdale
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Birks
Kate Peacock walked up Birks on September 21st, 2024 [from/via/route] Patterdale Hotel [with] Me, Mike, Skye and Amber [weather] Some sun, dry, breezy on the tops. Mist came & went several times - Road walking on our return to the car park. Going up to Fairfield was good fun from St Sunday Crag
James Hughes climbed Birks on June 11th, 2024 [from/via/route] Deepdale Horseshoe c235 - From Patterdale [weather] Clear - Post walk pint in Queens Head Troutbeck
Andrew Gayne bagged Birks on August 30th, 2024 [from/via/route] Walked up from Patterdale car park opposite Patterdale Hotel [with] Becky [weather] Sunny day - Walked up from Patterdale Car Park up to Arnison Crag & the across for a climb up to Birks. A steep decent back into Patterdale. Lovely clear day, mostly sunny
John Ramsbottom hiked Birks on July 27th, 2024 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Lola [weather] Hot Sunny - wild camped on St Sunday Crag, finish with a pint at Queens Head Tirrel.
Mr M A Blanchard summited Birks on July 31st, 2024 [from/via/route] With all the mutts [with] Florence, Millie and Woodie and Ted [weather] Sunny warm
Stephen Mcdonald conquered Birks on July 11th, 2024 [from/via/route] Went wild camping & followed route on Outdooractive. Parked at Patterdale in a layby [weather] Generally good weather with some drizzle & mist - Went wild camping but was very unfit & took ages to walk to the top.
Steve Cookson scaled Birks on March 2nd, 2024 [from/via/route] Glenridding [with] Gillie [weather] Col & dry
Christine Shepherd walked up Birks during June, 2003 [from/via/route] From Patterdale [with] Rebecca [weather] Hot & sunny - Bagged this again 16.8.09 & 25.9.10 Climbed again with H4TH on 1.1.24
Victoria Bates climbed Birks on July 25th, 2023 [from/via/route] Patterdale via Black Crags. Afterwards onto St Sunday Crags [with] Mark, Dominic and Tabitha [weather] Cool & cloudy. Some rain on the descent - Dominic walked the whole way at 6 years old!
Steve Lucas bagged Birks on May 22nd, 2021 [with] On my own
Ian Ashton hiked Birks on February 25th, 2023 [with] With jph
Angeline Grieveson summited Birks on February 19th, 2023 [with] Dotty
Caroline Winter conquered Birks on February 1st, 2023 [from/via/route] Patterdale CP, Arnison crag, Birks, St Sunday [with] William [weather] Clear views, biting wind - Pleasant route, with great views of Ullswater & Helvellyn range. Quite busy, as first good weather walking day this week
Martyn Atherton scaled Birks on September 18th, 2022 [from/via/route] C235 Arniston Crag, Birks, St Sunday Crag, Fairfield, Hart Crag & Hartsop Above How [with] Paul Atherton [weather] Misty, rain & Sunny - Loved the route 6 hrs 50 minutes
Richard Fulcher walked up Birks on August 17th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked in the Patterdale Cricket Club grounds (£5 all day - honesty box) & set off up the road/track through the Grisedale valley, ascending to Grisedale Tarn. After a coffee & biscuit we ascended the gradual path to St Sunday Crag. After a sandwich we followed the ridge down & up to Birks. The last stage was a steep but zigzag path down to the road & back to the car. [with] Jen [weather] Fresh in the morning with mist over the tops, gradually warming up & the skies turning blue. - A great walk taking us about 7 hours - slow, because we take a lot of photos & generally faff about!
Geoff Hand climbed Birks on May 28th, 2022 [from/via/route] Walk c 235 The Deepdale Horseshoe from Patterdale - abandoned due to bad weather [with] Alone with Tess [weather] Cold wet & cloudy - Set out to do the full horseshoe, however the weather was poor so I decided not to bother & walked down to Ullswater after climbing Birks & let Tess have a paddle.
Richard Marchant bagged Birks on October 29th, 1993 [from/via/route] Patterdale-Birks-St Sunday Crag-Fairfield-Hart Crag-Hartsop above How & eventually back to Glenridding. [with] Alan Harker [weather] Damp day with the cloud level at 700m
Richard Marshall hiked Birks on September 17th, 2021 [from/via/route] From Patterdale [with] Me Dave Elsie and Roxy [weather] Cloudy over 2000 ft
Tim Winn summited Birks on August 12th, 2021 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Barry and Louise [weather] Good
Mark Melling conquered Birks on August 1st, 2021 [from/via/route] Patterdale. Over Birks on descent from St. Sunday Craggs. [with] Anne, Steve & Nic Hartley [weather] Dry, cloudy, a little wind on the top - Fantastic views from the top (Silverdale, Ingleborough, great views of Ullswater).
Martin Woods scaled Birks on June 6th, 2021 [from/via/route] From Patterdale - Birks to Fairfield round to Hellvelyn & down to Glenridding [with] Ackers and Crush [weather] Sun, 22 deegrees v.little breeze
Wayne Baxter walked up Birks on April 29th, 2021 [from/via/route] From Patterdale by the hotel up to Arnison Crag. By the side of Birk to meet the path up to St Sunday Crag, followed the path back to the summit of Birk. Carried on from the summit down back into Patterdale. [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy & windy
Tony Kenny climbed Birks on August 3rd, 2011 [with] Kitty
Andy Buxton bagged Birks on April 25th, 1992 [from/via/route] From Patterdale. Circular walk: Birks, St.Sunday Crag, Fairfield,Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike,Birkhouse Moor [with] SPI Lewis [weather] Cool, clear day, but windy. - Enjoyable route
Adrian Howard hiked Birks on July 24th, 2019 [from/via/route] Patterdale
Andrew Johnson summited Birks on January 21st, 2020 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Ted [weather] Cleared to blue skies at some points, snow & ice on top - Tracked down Zena the lost husky & returned her to her owner.
Kevin Foster conquered Birks on November 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Henry. [weather] Grey skies (visibility good below 2000 feet) freezing hill mist above 2000 feet. - Approach via Arnison Crag. Then steep slog alongside the ruined wall leading up the hillside at Trough Head. Small summit cairn to the left once the ridge was reached. Cloud lifted enough to reveal great view of Ullswater northwards & the approach to St Sunday Crag (the next rise along is in uncairned but is the true summit of Birks).
Jill Dean scaled Birks on October 12th, 2020 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Grez & dexter [weather] Fine - Stayed at queens head
Richard Beardsley walked up Birks on September 16th, 2019 [from/via/route] Route C211 starting from Patterdale. [with] Gillian. [weather] Clear, fine & a mostly sunny day. - Parked car at Patterdale car park, (£4.50 all day). Commenced walk at 0945hrs. Route too Arnison Crag & Birks was straight forward. Decided to divert SW from Birks & summit Saint Sunday Crag along a well defined path that climbed steeply to its top. Once completed we retraced back to Birks & continued with route C211 back to the car park. Arrived back at 1500hrs. Thoroughly enjoyable day.
John Tippins climbed Birks on March 30th, 2018 [from/via/route] Started at Patterdale hotel car park, via Arnison Crag. Go4awalk c211 [with] Solo [weather] Dull day, high cloud & good visibility. Some snow on the journey to the start but rest of the day snow-free. Clouds cleared later in the day to reveal a bit of sun. - Did it again on 25.10.2018
Liz Sheerin bagged Birks on June 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Neil
Andrew Peate hiked Birks on July 21st, 2018 [from/via/route] On descent from St Sunday Crag
Craig Steeland summited Birks on June 7th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Patterdale Hotel car park [with] Sue [weather] Sunny, blue, cloudless & hot.
Michael Nolan conquered Birks on May 1st, 2018 [from/via/route] sleet gales mist...not so sure that 'only unsuitable clothing ' rather than bad weather is always true [weather] just awful! - still enjoyed it!
Simon Myerscough scaled Birks on August 3rd, 2008 [from/via/route] C235 [weather] rain getting heavier - waterproofs on
Christina Lander walked up Birks on June 7th, 2017 [from/via/route] Patterdale, Birks, St Sunday Crag, Cofa Pike, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Hartsop above Howe, Patterdale [with] Dick [weather] Beautiful day, but quite windy
Simon Boddy climbed Birks on October 9th, 2017 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] My girlfriend [weather] Sunny
Colin Egan bagged Birks on September 26th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Patterdale via the track to Arnison Crag, hence to Trough Head & up to the ridge path towards the top [with] My wife Faith, friends - Mike & Linda Robinson and John & Jo Cocker, and son Peter and his fiancée Alex. [weather] Fine. No rain, sporadic sunshine & moderate winds. - This is No. 213 of 214 Wainwrights, last is next.
Paul Macey hiked Birks on August 24th, 2016 [from/via/route] On way to St Sunday [with] Alone
Andy Jakob summited Birks on June 17th, 2017 [with] AFWC Me and Colin and Connor [weather] Sunny
Beth Webster conquered Birks on June 19th, 2014 [with] Hannah phillips
Chris Sheard scaled Birks on June 6th, 1998 [from/via/route] Along the ridge from Saint Sundays [with] John and Paul [weather] Partly sunny day, low winds even on top - Last walk together as a group. John off to Argentina
Simon Neilson-Clark walked up Birks on March 25th, 2017 [from/via/route] Deepdale Horse shoe from patterdale [with] Mrs H [weather] Sunny very hot - Very sunny day Beautiful views. A steep pull up at the beginning of the walk
Leon Harvey climbed Birks on August 14th, 2016 [with] Solo
Mark Davidson bagged Birks on May 17th, 2004 [with] Alone [weather] Nice & sunny
Phillip Bulley hiked Birks on September 6th, 2016 [from/via/route] Arnison Crag [with] Ruby [weather] Intermittent sun & windy.
Elaine Evans summited Birks on July 4th, 2016 [from/via/route] From St Sunday Crag, on route back to Patterdale via Arnison Crag. [with] Sue [weather] Weather cleared on leaving St Sunday Crag, but intermittent heavy showers & occasional sunshine for the remainder of our walk. - Accompanied Sue as she was assessing a D of E group in the area.
Mike Jackson conquered Birks during May, 2016 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Me.. [weather] Glorious
Nick Dobson scaled Birks on April 16th, 2016 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Margaret and Ralph [weather] Cold & bright with a couple of hail showers thrown in - Bagged on descent of St Sunday Crag with a nice meal in the White Lion at the end after I forgot to pack the lunch
David Watson walked up Birks on August 25th, 2015 [from/via/route] Patterdale. Following the route "Deepdale Round" (Walk 24) in the Vivienne Crow book "Lake District: High Level & Fell Walks". [with] Tilda Watson [weather] Sunny early on but cloudy by the end.
Philip Layton climbed Birks on October 26th, 2015 [from/via/route] Patterdale (Deepdale horseshoe) [with] Karen, Ana, Josh [weather] Very good. - 7.5 hours (several peaks)
Clive Ward bagged Birks on November 7th, 2015 [from/via/route] Arisen Crag, Birks, St Sunday, Gavel Pike, Lords Seat, Deepdale [with] Alone [weather] Poor. See Arnison - Dirty Double - Hazel 10Km x 2
Anthony Scott hiked Birks on October 14th, 2015 [from/via/route] yha patterdale [with] me [weather] frosty start then blue sky & light winds
Kevin Parnham summited Birks on September 27th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Patterdale via Arnison Crag [with] Jo [weather] Sunny & warm
Denis Hoyle conquered Birks on September 20th, 2015 [from/via/route] Rydal [with] Burnley mountaineering club [weather] Overcast - Hard day
Neil Bennett scaled Birks on August 1st, 2015 [from/via/route] From Patterdale via Arnison Crag [with] Pamela Bennett, Oliver Bennett & Thomas Bennett [weather] Sunny with broken cloud
Andrew Wood walked up Birks on April 18th, 2015 [from/via/route] C211 from Patterdale [with] Doug & Mel [weather] Sunny & very warm
David Baines climbed Birks on May 21st, 2014 [from/via/route] On route back from St. Sunday Crag [with] Alone [weather] Bright sunny day - In order not to return by same path on Grisedale side I decided to take head for Trough Head & back thru Glenamara Park but found the path down difficult to locate so headed straight for a frontal descent. This is very steep & really needs care. Hard on the knees & pleased I had 2 walking poles handy.
Richard Foreman bagged Birks on December 10th, 2014 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Robert Chester [weather] High wind speeds, ended walk after this top, to dangerous to continue walk. - Must revisit on a better day
Keith Eastman hiked Birks on July 13th, 2014 [from/via/route] c235
David Noble summited Birks on June 23rd, 2014 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Peter [weather] Sunny & Overcast - Peter's boot failed & turned back just after Birks
Michael Vaughn conquered Birks on June 8th, 2014 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] alone [weather] clear
Joanne Mcgawley scaled Birks on May 27th, 2014 [with] Rich [weather] Muggy & Windy - 9.4 miles
Les Wrightson walked up Birks on April 19th, 2014 [from/via/route] patterdale c235 [with] tan [weather] good sunny
Steve Frank climbed Birks on July 13th, 2008 [from/via/route] Glenridding [with] Jackie Frank
Charlie Housley bagged Birks on November 25th, 2013 [from/via/route] From Arnison Crag via Trough Head. [with] Solo. [weather] Superb. Cold & clear views for miles.
Ann Davis hiked Birks on November 3rd, 2013 [from/via/route] from Arnison then onto st sunday [with] nobody up there [weather] rain, hail, gusts, sun
John Statham summited Birks on June 4th, 2013 - Panorama clear
Dave Eyes conquered Birks on March 3rd, 2013 [from/via/route] from Patterdale, Arnison Crag, Birks - St Sundays - back down Grisdale to Glenridding [with] Southport Fellwalkers - Mike Graham [weather] Bright - snow on ground - Ann hurt arm in sliding accident
Harry Meijer scaled Birks on April 19th, 2013 [from/via/route] Fairfield from Patterdale [with] The Lake District Walker
Doug Martin walked up Birks on May 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] St Sunday Crag [with] Fellwalkers [weather] Clear skies
Raymond Barnett climbed Birks on March 31st, 2013 [from/via/route] patterdale [with] Jake [weather] snow
Chris Bramley bagged Birks on March 2nd, 2013 [from/via/route] Patterdale & St Sunday Crag [with] Jaqui Blake an Jan
Dale Verrall hiked Birks on October 27th, 2010 [from/via/route] Patter dale Fairfield horseshoe [weather] Fine
Iain Taylor summited Birks on June 5th, 2011 [from/via/route] Glenridding (NY 38992 16932)
Carole Walton conquered Birks during July, 2010 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Friends x 8 [weather] Good - Bunk barn capers
Christine Knowles scaled Birks on September 29th, 2012 [from/via/route] From Patterdale up Grisedale Beck [with] Graham [weather] Very windy, & light showers
Tony Aspden walked up Birks on June 13th, 2012 [from/via/route] C2C From St Sunday Crag [with] Andy [weather] Sunny
Stella Nuttall climbed Birks on May 25th, 2012 [from/via/route] see st sunday cragg
Stephen Littlewood bagged Birks on June 7th, 2008 [from/via/route] from Arnison Crag
Darren Mortimer hiked Birks on March 24th, 2012 [from/via/route] Patterdale [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Sunny
Stephen Byrne, Jenny Godfrey, Dale Sexton, Patrick Rogozinski, Matthew Thomas, Jim Derby, Jane Wilkinson, Adrian Roberts, David Butterfield, Jo Dixon, Louise Sandwith, David Shaw, Amanda Hinds, Claire Rigg, Elaine Grayson, Edward Wells, Karen Mountain, Gordon Lee, Patricia Dilley, Simon Duerden, Jonathan Tobin, Sarah Lowe, Tracey Cowell, Paul Booth, Linda Mckeogh, Louis Smith, Mark Smith, Lee Maddison, Tracey Cordes, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, John Cuthbert, Patrick Buckland, Rob Barklamb, Stephen Millington, Paul Warren, Jeanette Coward, Jacqui Smith, Sam Mercer, Ray O'hara, Libby Burns and Rebecca Hardy have all walked, climbed & bagged Birks.
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Birks
The shoulder of St Sunday Crag and Birks (left), Catstye Cam, Birkhouse Moor (centre) and Sheffield Pike from Arnison Crag, Patterdale
Grisedale with Birks beyond from near the Hole-in-the-wall between Birkhouse Moor and Helvellyn
Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Birks
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