Dufton via Knock Fell up Great Dun Fell: route map, distance and time
848 m · Cumbria
Great Dun Fell is a high North Pennines summit topped by a white radar dome, crossed by the Pennine Way between Dufton and Cross Fell.
The Pennine Way climbs out of Dufton onto Knock Fell, then follows the high moorland ridge to the radar station.
Dufton via Knock Fell at a glance
| Distance | 9.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 731 m |
| Time up | 3h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Dufton village car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 690 250 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 709 321 |
Dufton via Knock Fell 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 Dufton via Knock Fell takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 6h 15m |
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 10:37 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:40. Start by 10:35 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Great Dun Fell summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Great Dun Fell right now. The main Great Dun Fell page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Great Dun Fell forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Great Dun Fell
Great Dun Fell is a high North Pennines summit topped by a white radar dome, crossed by the Pennine Way between Dufton and Cross Fell. More about Great Dun Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Little Dun Fell (842 m), 1 km north-west
- Knock Fell (794 m), 2.3 km south-east
Challenges that include Great Dun 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 the Pennine Way up Cross Fell
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 709 321), 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 Knock Fell: questions and answers
How far is Dufton via Knock Fell?
Dufton via Knock Fell is 9.6 km one way to the summit of Great Dun Fell, with 731 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 19.2 km.
How long does Dufton via Knock Fell take?
About 3h 10m to the summit of Great Dun Fell and 5h 5m 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 6h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Dufton via Knock Fell?
Dufton via Knock Fell starts from Dufton village car park. The grid reference is NY 690 250.
Is Dufton via Knock Fell 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.
What time should I start Dufton via Knock Fell today?
By 10:37 at the latest. Sunset on Great Dun Fell today is 16:42, Dufton via Knock Fell takes about 5h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Dufton via Knock Fell?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).