# Kirk Fell

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Fell in the Lake District, England

Kirk Fell Kirk Fell from Moses Trod by Ann Bowker Highest point Elevation 802 m (2,631 ft) Prominence 181 m (594 ft) Parent peak Great Gable Listing Marilyn, Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall Coordinates 54°28′59″N 3°14′31″W / 54.483°N 3.242°W / 54.483; -3.242 Naming English translation Hill above the church Language of name Old English Geography Kirk Fell Location in the Lake District Show map of the Lake District Kirk Fell Location in Copeland Borough Show map of the former Borough of Copeland Location Cumbria, England Parent range Lake District, Western Fells OS grid NY195104 Topo map OS Landranger 89, 90, Explorer OL4

Listed summits of Kirk Fell Name Grid ref Height Status Kirk Fell East Top NY199107 787 m (2,581 ft) Hewitt

**Kirk Fell** is a [fell](/source/Fell) in the Western part of the [English Lake District](/source/English_Lake_District). It is situated between [Great Gable](/source/Great_Gable) and [Pillar](/source/Pillar_(Lake_District)) on the long ring of fells surrounding the valley of [Ennerdale](/source/Ennerdale_Water), and also stands over [Wasdale](/source/Wasdale) to the south. However, it is separated from its two higher neighbours by the low passes of [Black Sail](/source/Black_Sail_Pass) and Beck Head, giving it a high [relative height](/source/Relative_height) and making it a [Marilyn](/source/Marilyn_(hill)), the [thirteenth highest](/source/List_of_fells_in_the_Lake_District#Marilyns) in the Lake District.

The direct ascent up the south-western slope from [Wasdale Head](/source/Wasdale_Head) is exceptionally steep and the subject of an amusing drawing by [Wainwright](/source/Alfred_Wainwright).[1] Usual ascents are by one of the aforementioned passes; alternatively one may climb Kirk Fell as part of the Mosedale Horseshoe, a walk on the fells surrounding [Mosedale](/source/Mosedale_Beck_(Wast_Water)), a side-valley of Wasdale.

## Topography

The [Western Fells](/source/Western_Fells) occupy a triangular sector of the Lake District, bordered by the River Cocker to the north-east and [Wasdale](/source/Wasdale) to the south-east. Westwards the hills diminish toward the coastal plain of Cumberland. At the central hub of the high country are [Great Gable](/source/Great_Gable) and its satellites, while two principal ridges fan out on either flank of [Ennerdale](/source/Ennerdale_Water), the western fells in effect being a great horseshoe around this long wild valley.[1] Kirk Fell is the first on the southern arm.

The main watershed runs broadly westwards from Great Gable, dividing the headwaters of Ennerdale and [Wasdale](/source/Wasdale). The main fells in this section are Kirk Fell, [Pillar](/source/Pillar_(Lake_District)), [Scoat Fell](/source/Scoat_Fell), [Haycock](/source/Haycock_(Lake_District)) and [Caw Fell](/source/Caw_Fell), followed by the lower [Lank Rigg](/source/Lank_Rigg) group.

Kirk Fell sits squarely at the head of Wasdale, rising between the main headstreams of Mosedale and Lingmell Becks. From this direction it appears as a truncated cone, steep sided with a wide level top. The flanks above Wasdale are unremittingly steep, 2,000 ft (600 m) of grass and scree with little to break the monotony. The only stream on these slopes is Ill Gill, falling from the depression between the summit and the east top.

[Great End](/source/Great_End) and [Scafell Pike](/source/Scafell_Pike) seen from Kirk Fell Tarn between the two summits

To the west, between Kirk Fell and Pillar, is Black Sail Pass. This is a pedestrian route from Wasdale to Ennerdale, and from there onward via [Scarth Gap](/source/Scarth_Gap_Pass) to [Buttermere](/source/Buttermere). A well-graded path now used exclusively for leisure, it was once a thoroughfare for trade between the valleys. The summit of the pass at 1,775 ft (541 m) is crossed by the Ennerdale Fence, a boundary marking the watershed around the head of the valley. Although some sections of the 'fence' are actually stone walls, that running over the top of Kirk Fell is only a remnant, marked by occasional posts.

The Ennerdale face of Kirk Fell has more features to offer, but due to the remoteness of the dalehead is much less familiar. A wall of rock rims the summit plateau, Boat How Crags to the east and Kirkfell Crags to the west. Between the two is the hollow of Baysoar Slack, the birthplace of Sail Beck. Below the crags the gradient is not quite as severe as on the Wasdale side, slopes running down to the bank of the River Liza. Kirk Fell does not have such a prominent position in Ennerdale, Great Gable standing at the head of the valley.

To the east of Kirk Fell is Beck Head (2,020 feet, 620 m), the [col](/source/Mountain_pass) connecting to Great Gable. A small rocky spur, Rib End, runs down from the summit plateau to the tarns at the depression. Although prominently named on [Ordnance Survey](/source/Ordnance_Survey) maps, Beckhead Tarn is a small shallow pool with a bed of peat and submerged flags. A second smaller pool forms after heavy rain.[2]

The summit plateau of Kirk Fell assumes a 'figure of eight' shape in plan, the narrow waist squeezed between Illgill Head and Baysoar Slack. The highest ground is to the west, while a subsidiary top occupies the other section. **Kirk Fell East Top** has sufficient [prominence](/source/Prominence) (34 metres, 112 ft) to qualify as a [Hewitt](/source/Hewitt_(hill)) in its own right. Between the summits is Kirkfell Tarn, actually two small [tarns](/source/Tarn_(lake)). The deeper pool is an oval, while the other has an indented outline, reminiscent of Sprinkling Tarn on [Seathwaite Fell](/source/Seathwaite_Fell) in miniature.[2]

## Geology

The summit area consists of drift deposits overlying the [plagioclase](/source/Plagioclase)-phyric [andesite](/source/Andesite) [lavas](/source/Lava) and subordinate sills of the Birker Fell Formation. The northern crags expose some granophyric [granite](/source/Granite) of the Ennerdale Intrusion, together with the bedded [breccias](/source/Breccia), [sandstones](/source/Sandstone) and [tuffs](/source/Tuff) of the Round How Member.[3]

## Summit

The main top is marked by a [cairn](/source/Cairn) set amid an area of stones. The east top has a cairn set on a rocky outcrop. Some remains of the old fence can be found on the watershed, crossing both tops.[1]

Great Gable fills the eastern view, Gable Crag and the Napes seen in fascinating profile. Across Wasdale rise the [Scafells](/source/Scafells), while the [High Stile](/source/High_Stile) and [Grasmoor](/source/Grasmoor) ranges are well seen in the other direction. There are also more distant glimpses of the [Skiddaw](/source/Skiddaw) and [Helvellyn ranges](/source/Helvellyn_range).[1]

## Ascents

A path of sorts ascends direct from the village of Wasdale Head to the summit, the way being in [Wainwright's](/source/Alfred_Wainwright) words *a relentless and unremitting treadmill, a turf clutching crawl, not a walk. There are only three opportunities of standing upright…*.[1] More conventional ascents can be made via Black Sail or Beck Head, the former providing easier gradients. Black Sail can also be used to give access from Ennerdale, although unless staying at Black Sail [Youth Hostel](/source/Youth_Hostel), the nearest access in this direction is actually Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap.[1][4]

Kirk Fell can also be climbed as part of the [Mosedale Horseshoe](/source/Mosedale_Horseshoe), also taking in [Yewbarrow](/source/Yewbarrow), [Red Pike](/source/Red_Pike_(Wasdale)), [Scoat Fell](/source/Scoat_Fell) and [Pillar](/source/Pillar_(Lake_District)).

On 3 June 2022 Mitchell Dixon, Jordan Mcguirk and Matty Todd (All local to Cumbria) become the first known trio to climb the nose of Kirk fell repeatedly until they accumulated the same altitude as Mt Everest. 13 times up and down. They completed the challenge in under 3 days.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-wainwright_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-wainwright_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-wainwright_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-wainwright_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-wainwright_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-wainwright_1-5) [Alfred Wainwright](/source/Alfred_Wainwright): *A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Volume 7 The Western Fells*: Westmorland Gazette (1966): [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7112-2460-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7112-2460-9)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-blair_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-blair_2-1) Blair, Don: *Exploring Lakeland Tarns*: Lakeland Manor Press (2003): [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9543904-1-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9543904-1-5)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BGS_3-0)** British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, *England & Wales Sheets 29 and 38*: BGS (1999) and (1998)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-birkett_4-0)** Bill Birkett:*Complete Lakeland Fells*: Collins Willow (1994): [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-00-713629-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-00-713629-3)

v t e Wainwright's Western Fells Base Brown Blake Fell Brandreth Buckbarrow Burnbank Fell Caw Fell Crag Fell Fellbarrow Fleetwith Pike Gavel Fell Great Borne Great Gable Green Gable Grey Knotts Grike Haycock Haystacks Hen Comb High Crag High Stile Kirk Fell Lank Rigg Low Fell Mellbreak Middle Fell Pillar Red Pike (Buttermere) Red Pike (Wasdale) Scoat Fell Seatallan Starling Dodd Steeple Yewbarrow Full list of Wainwrights by area

v t e Marilyns of Northern England 1. Northumberland The Cheviot Housedon Hill Long Crag Peel Fell Ros Hill Shillhope Law Sighty Crag Tosson Hill 2. Northern Lakeland Binsey Blencathra Knott Skiddaw 3. Western Lakeland Blake Fell Dale Head Dent Grasmoor Great Gable Grisedale Pike High Stile Kirk Fell Lord's Seat Low Fell Mellbreak Pillar Robinson Seatallan Swinside Watch Hill 4. Central and Southern Lakeland Black Combe Claife Heights Coniston Old Man Hard Knott Harter Fell High Raise High Rigg Holme Fell Illgill Head Kirkby Moor Lingmoor Fell Loughrigg Fell Muncaster Fell Pike of Blisco Scafell Pike Top o' Selside Whitfell 5. Eastern Lakeland Arnside Knott Fairfield Grayrigg Forest Great Mell Fell Gummer's How Hallin Fell Helvellyn High Street Hutton Roof Crags Lambrigg Fell Little Mell Fell Place Fell Red Screes St Sunday Crag Seat Sandal Stony Cove Pike Tarn Crag Wansfell Whitbarrow 6. North Pennines and Durham Burnhope Seat Cold Fell Cross Fell Dufton Pike Mickle Fell 7. Northern Yorkshire Dales Baugh Fell The Calf Great Shunner Fell Hoove Kisdon Nine Standards Rigg Rogan's Seat Wild Boar Fell Yarlside 8. Southern Yorkshire Dales Aye Gill Pike Birks Fell Buckden Pike Calf Top Cracoe Fell Dodd Fell Hill Fountains Fell Great Coum Great Knoutberry Hill Great Whernside Ingleborough Pen-y-ghent Rombald's Moor Sharp Haw Whernside 9. North York Moors to the Humber Bishop Wilton Wold Cringle Moor Gisborough Moor Urra Moor 10. Forest of Bowland Easington Fell Fair Snape Fell Longridge Fell Ward's Stone White Hill

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kirk Fell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Fell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_Fell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.