Dufton via the Pennine Way up Cross Fell: route map, distance and time
893 m · Cumbria
Cross Fell is the highest summit in the Pennines, a vast plateau above the Eden Valley crossed by the Pennine Way and home of the Helm Wind.
A long route on the Pennine Way over Knock Fell, Great Dun Fell and Little Dun Fell, crossing high moorland the whole way.
Dufton via the Pennine Way at a glance
| Distance | 12.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 858 m |
| Time up | 3h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 6h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Dufton village car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 690 250 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 687 343 |
Dufton via the Pennine Way map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Dufton via the Pennine Way takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 6h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 45m | 7h 50m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:04, sunset 16:42. Start by 09:22 to be down before dark, allowing 6h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:40. Start by 09:20 to be down before dark, allowing 6h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Cross Fell summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Wednesday 28 October
Slight rain, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 38 mph gusting 47 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:04, sunset 16:42.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 37 mph gusting 47 mph, 29% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:40.
Best day of the next seven for the Dufton via the Pennine Way: Monday 2 November, with summit gusts around 12 mph and a 10% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Cross Fell forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Cross Fell?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -3°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 47 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Cross Fell
Cross Fell is the highest summit in the Pennines, a vast plateau above the Eden Valley crossed by the Pennine Way and home of the Helm Wind. More about Cross Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Little Dun Fell (842 m), 2.2 km south-east
Challenges that include Cross Fell
More walks from Dufton village car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Dufton via Knock Fell up Great Dun Fell
Other routes up Cross Fell
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland | 6.0 km one way | 682 m | 2h 20m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 690 250, the summit at NY 687 343), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Dufton via the Pennine Way: questions and answers
How far is the Dufton via the Pennine Way?
The Dufton via the Pennine Way is 12.2 km one way to the summit of Cross Fell, with 858 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 24.4 km.
How long does the Dufton via the Pennine Way take?
About 3h 50m to the summit of Cross Fell and 6h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 7h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Dufton via the Pennine Way?
The Dufton via the Pennine Way starts from Dufton village car park. The grid reference is NY 690 250.
Is the Dufton via the Pennine Way suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Kirkland.
What time should I start the Dufton via the Pennine Way today?
By 09:22 at the latest. Sunset on Cross Fell today is 16:42, The Dufton via the Pennine Way takes about 6h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Dufton via the Pennine Way?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).