Wasdale Head direct up Kirk Fell: route map, distance and time
802 m · Cumbria
Kirk Fell is the steep fell behind Wasdale Head between Great Gable and Pillar, known for a direct ascent that climbs straight up its southern face.
Climb straight up the southern face from the valley on a steep path of grass and scree.
Wasdale Head direct at a glance
| Distance | 2.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 719 m |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Wasdale Head (National Trust car park) |
| Start grid reference | NY 186 087 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 194 104 |
Wasdale Head direct 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
- Wasdale Head Inn0.1 km
- Public toilets1.3 km
- Public toilets1.4 km
- Wasdale Head Campsite0.1 km
- Wasdale Campsite1.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Wasdale Head direct takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 30m |
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 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 15:08 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:06 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Kirk Fell summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 15 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 52 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Wasdale Head direct: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Kirk Fell forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Kirk Fell?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Kirk Fell
Kirk Fell is the steep fell behind Wasdale Head between Great Gable and Pillar, known for a direct ascent that climbs straight up its southern face. More about Kirk Fell, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Kirk Fell East Top (787 m), 0.5 km north-east
- Great Gable (899 m), 1.6 km east
- Looking Stead (628 m), 1.6 km north-west
- Green Gable (800 m), 2 km east
- Yewbarrow North Top (617 m), 2.3 km south-west
- Brandreth (715 m), 2.4 km north-east
Challenges that include Kirk Fell
- Ennerdale Horseshoe · 14
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
- Marilyns · 1,555
More walks from Wasdale Head
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wasdale Head via Sty Head up Great Gable
- Wasdale Head via the Burnmoor corpse road up Illgill Head
- Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue up Lingmell
- Wasdale Head via Black Sail Pass up Pillar
- High Level Route up Pillar
- Wasdale Head via Dore Head up Red Pike
- Wasdale Head via Green How up Scafell
- Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue up Scafell Pike
- Wasdale Head via Mosedale and Wind Gap up Scoat Fell
- Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell up Steeple
- Wasdale Head via Dore Head and Stirrup Crag up Yewbarrow
Other routes up Kirk Fell
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasdale Head via Black Sail Pass | 4.8 km one way | 727 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| Wasdale via Beck Head | 5.8 km one way | 750 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 186 087, the summit at NY 194 104), 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.
Wasdale Head direct: questions and answers
How far is Wasdale Head direct?
Wasdale Head direct is 2.1 km one way to the summit of Kirk Fell, with 719 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.2 km.
How long does Wasdale Head direct take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Kirk Fell and 2h 0m 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 2h 30m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Wasdale Head direct?
Wasdale Head direct starts from Wasdale Head (National Trust car park). The grid reference is NY 186 087.
Is Wasdale Head direct 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 Wasdale Head via Black Sail Pass.
What time should I start Wasdale Head direct today?
By 15:08 at the latest. Sunset on Kirk Fell today is 18:08, Wasdale Head direct takes about 2h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Wasdale Head direct?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).