Wasdale via Beck Head 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Lake Head National Trust car park, Wasdale.
Wasdale via Beck Head starts at about 72 m and gains 736 m over 5.8 km to 797 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 345 m at an average of 35%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top. About 30% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Wasdale via Beck Head at a glance
| Distance | 5.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 750 m |
| Climb on the track | 736 m up, 13 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 66 m to 797 m (summit 802 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 38%, from 3.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 30% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Lake Head National Trust car park, Wasdale, CA20 1EX |
| Start grid reference | NY 182 074 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 194 104 |
| Parking | Lake Head National Trust car park, Wasdale |
Wasdale via Beck Head map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Wasdale Head Inn1.3 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Wasdale Campsite0.1 km
- Wasdale Head Campsite1.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Wasdale via Beck Head GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Wasdale via Beck Head kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 77 m | +5 m | 0% | NY 188 081 |
| 2 km | 116 m | +39 m | 4% | NY 194 088 |
| 3 km | 170 m | +54 m | 5% | NY 199 094 |
| 4 km | 515 m | +345 m | 35% steep | NY 204 102 |
| 5 km | 743 m | +228 m | 23% steep | NY 201 106 |
| 5.8 km | 797 m | +54 m | 7% | NY 194 104 |
How long Wasdale via Beck Head takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 25m |
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 13:33 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:31 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m 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 via Beck Head: 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 Lake Head National Trust car park, Wasdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wasdale via Beck Head up Great Gable
- Wasdale via Black Sail Pass and the western ridge up Looking Stead
- Wasdale via Beck Head up Kirk Fell East Top
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 Head direct | 2.1 km one way | 719 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 182 074, 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 via Beck Head: questions and answers
How far is Wasdale via Beck Head?
Wasdale via Beck Head is 5.8 km one way to the summit of Kirk Fell, with 750 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.6 km.
How long does Wasdale via Beck Head take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Kirk Fell and 3h 35m 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 4h 25m for the round trip.
How steep is Wasdale via Beck Head?
The steepest 500 m averages about 38%, starting 3.7 km from the start, and 30% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Wasdale via Beck Head climbs 736 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Wasdale via Beck Head?
Wasdale via Beck Head starts from Lake Head National Trust car park, Wasdale (postcode CA20 1EX). The grid reference is NY 182 074. Lake Head National Trust car park, Wasdale
Is Wasdale via Beck Head 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 via Beck Head today?
By 13:33 at the latest. Sunset on Kirk Fell today is 18:08, Wasdale via Beck Head takes about 3h 35m 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 via Beck Head?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.