Mountain (Hewitt), Wainwright, Nuttall & Marilyn Icon

Kirk Fell
802m (2631ft)

The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England


Record Kirk Fell as Bagged, Climbed & Conquered


English Mountain Icon

English Mountain
42nd highest in England,
77th in England & Wales

Wainwright Icon

Wainwright
(No. 33)

English Nuttall Icon

English Nuttall
49th highest in England,
92nd in England & Wales

English Marilyn Icon

English Marilyn
15th highest in England,
391st highest in Great Britain

Walk Kirk Fell walking UK Mountains in The Western Fells The Lake District National Park Cumbria, England

The view from the summit of Kirk Fell

Photo: Wayne Hill

You can find Kirk Fell & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)

The Lake District National Park


1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):

OL4 The English Lakes - North Western area


1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Maps (the ones with pink/magenta covers):

89 West Cumbria, Cockermouth & Wast Water


90 Penrith & Keswick, Ambleside


See Kirk Fell and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:

See Kirk Fell and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:

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!


You can walk to the top of Kirk Fell by using any of these 6 easy‑to‑follow route maps:
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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:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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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:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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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:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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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:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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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:Walk Grade 9 Icon (Very Hard)
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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:Walk Grade 9 Icon (Very Hard)

Other walkers who hiked, climbed, bagged and summited Kirk Fell 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

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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell

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

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

Photo: David Hemingway (3)

Wast Water and Wasdale Head from the lower slopes of Great Gable and Kirk Fell

Wast Water and Wasdale Head from the lower slopes of Great Gable and Kirk Fell

Photo: Ian McCutcheon (5)

Red Pike (centre left), Pillar, Yewbarrow (centre), Kirk Fell & Great Gable (right) beyond Wast Water from Whin Rigg

Red Pike (centre left), Pillar, Yewbarrow (centre), Kirk Fell & Great Gable (right) beyond Wast Water from Whin Rigg

Photo: Ian Mansell (12)

*Red Pike, Pillar and Kirk Fell from Dore Head

*Red Pike, Pillar and Kirk Fell from Dore Head

Photo: Wayne Hill (25)

Great Gable, Scafell Pike (centre) and Kirk Fell from Fleetwith Pike

Great Gable, Scafell Pike (centre) and Kirk Fell from Fleetwith Pike

Photo: Mike Knipe (158)

Kirk Fell (East Top) summit cairn

Kirk Fell (East Top) summit cairn

Photo: Matt Delemare (39)

Green Gable, Great Gable and Kirk Fell from Innominate Tarn

Green Gable, Great Gable and Kirk Fell from Innominate Tarn

Photo: Alan Wainwright (242)

Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), the shoulder of Kirk Fell, Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water

Wasdale Head featuring Yewbarrow (left), the shoulder of Kirk Fell, Great Gable (centre) and Lingmell (right) from across Wast Water

Photo: Ian Mansell (3)

Green Crag (Buttermere) summit cairn with Kirk Fell beyond

Green Crag (Buttermere) summit cairn with Kirk Fell beyond

Photo: Christine Shepherd (632)

Green Gable (left) and Great Gable (centre left) and the shoulder of Kirk Fell from Loft Beck

Green Gable (left) and Great Gable (centre left) and the shoulder of Kirk Fell from Loft Beck

Photo: Mike Walker (554)

Kirk Fell with Pillar and Little Scoat Fell beyond from Great Gable summit

Kirk Fell with Pillar and Little Scoat Fell beyond from Great Gable summit

Photo: Matt Delemare (33)

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)

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)

Photo: Andy Malcolm (216)

Kirk Fell, Looking Stead & Pillar, Ennerdale, High Stile, High Crag & Hay Stacks, Crummock Water & Buttermere and Grasmoor from Green Gable

Kirk Fell, Looking Stead & Pillar, Ennerdale, High Stile, High Crag & Hay Stacks, Crummock Water & Buttermere and Grasmoor from Green Gable

Photo: Chris Brankin (8)

Wast Water, Wasdale and Yewbarrow with Middle Fell (left) Seatallan (background centre), Red Pike (Wasdale) (right) and the shoulder of Kirk Fell (centre foreground) from Westmorland Cairn on Great Gable

Wast Water, Wasdale and Yewbarrow with Middle Fell (left) Seatallan (background centre), Red Pike (Wasdale) (right) and the shoulder of Kirk Fell (centre foreground) from Westmorland Cairn on Great Gable

Photo: Andy Malcolm (217)

Kirk Fell from Black Sail Pass

Kirk Fell from Black Sail Pass

Photo: David Connolly (17)

Kirk Fell from the tarn above Black Sail Pass

Kirk Fell from the tarn above Black Sail Pass

Photo: David Connolly (19)

Seatallan, Great Scoat Fell, Little Scoat Fell, Red Pike (Wasdale), Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Whin Rigg from Irton Pike

Seatallan, Great Scoat Fell, Little Scoat Fell, Red Pike (Wasdale), Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Whin Rigg from Irton Pike

Photo: Andy Malcolm (179)

Green Gable (left) Great Gable (centre left), Scafell Pike (centre distance) and Kirk Fell (centre right) from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Green Gable (left) Great Gable (centre left), Scafell Pike (centre distance) and Kirk Fell (centre right) from Hay Stacks (Haystacks)

Photo: Mike Walker (553)

Yewbarrow (centre) and Kirk Fell (right) from Sca Fell

Yewbarrow (centre) and Kirk Fell (right) from Sca Fell

Photo: Ian McCutcheon (4)

*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)

*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)

Photo: Wayne Hill (34)


. . . see all 65 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Kirk Fell


Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Kirk Fell

If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Kirk Fell to this page, please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to:



and we shall do our best to publish them.

(Guide Resolution = 300dpi. At least = 660pixels (wide) x 440 pixels (high).)

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