Kirk Fell and Great Gable

Distance: 6 miles Time: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Map: OS Explorer OL6, The English Lakes South Western Area.

Start Point: Wasdale Head - Grid Reference (NY 187 088).

Grading: Hard.

Terrain: Steep ascent with easy rock scrambling.

Taking in two of the giants of Wasdale, this is a strenuous and steep climb which is rewarded with the very best of views of Wast Water and Wasdale Head.

Parking at the large car park near Wasdale Head, walk along the tarmac towards the Wasdale Head Inn. Ignore the tempting delights of the hostelry, follow the path alongside Ritson's Bar and bear right along the path to Black Sail past Row Head cottages. Walk alongside Mosedale Beck and after a short while gaze in awe at the steep ascent summoning you. This is Kirk Fell, the patron of Wasdale, looking down and daring you. The challenge, should you wish to accept it, is to make it to the top following the seemingly impossible steep slope. Complete this walk and you will be rewarded with some of the finest views in the Lake District.

Bear right through the gate off the main path and begin the steep, steep ascent directly to the summit. Wainwright described this route as the steepest in Lakeland' and he was right. The gut wrenching, stomach churning climb shows no mercy. There is no warm up period, no gentle start along rolling foothills and no minor tops to ascend en route. It is straight into the thick of the action, make no mistake.

There are three important resting places to watch out for during this ascent. The first lies a third of the way up the grassy carpet amongst the bracken. It is a level shelf of rocks and makes an ideal place to catch your breath, turn around and survey the vista that lies ahead. There are superb views of Wast Water, but these are not the best you will get today; these will come later. Continuing up the grassy slope, note the wicker and wire cages placed there by the National Trust earlier this year to protect new grass planted there to replace the erosion caused by the boots of countless walkers.

The second halting place is at the crest of the steep grass slope, about half way to the summit (named Highnose Head on the map). Again, take a breather turn around and drink in the views. To the left lie the giants of Scafell Pike, Scafell and Lingmell, to the right Dore Head and Red Pike, and ahead, as ever, Yewbarrow and the beautiful Wast Water.

Further up the slope, the going gets tougher as the scree run is encountered. Walking on the rough stuff can be minimised by keeping to the right as this side hits the grass again first. At the top of the scree lies the third halt, should you require it to bring your pounding heart under control. Take heed for the slope lessens from here and the hard work is done for now. Cross the natural dykes that lie towards the summit and here is the first glimpse of Great Gable ahead. From this position, the profile of Great Gable is in complete contrast to that from Wasdale Head. There it is a handsome and graceful pyramid; from here it is a great square cut slab looming ahead. Continue directly to the summit cairn of Kirk Fell (802m) which is combined with a wind shelter. There are in fact two summits to this fell, the northern and lesser one lies ahead across a hollow containing two tarns named as one, Kirkfell Tarn.

Take a rest at the summit but keep your sandwiches in your rucksack for there is still work to be done and an even better place to have your lunch. Great Gable lies ahead and can look a bit daunting from here but never fear, it is not as bad as it seems. Simply follow the remains of the old fence down the rocky path to Beck Head. Beckhead Tarn at the bottom of the path is often nothing more than a dry bed and a curiosity in the fact that the fence runs straight through the middle of it.

Continuing straight on, the ascent to the summit of Great Gable lies ahead. This involves a certain amount of easy scrambling, but is well worth the effort. Take some time on the way up to turn around and marvel at the view. Straight ahead lies the recently visited Kirk Fell with Pillar, Scoat Fell and Steeple visible behind to the right lies the Ennerdale Valley and the High Stile ridge with a glimpse of Crummock Water glittering between High Stile and Haystacks. Continue to the summit cairn of Great Gable (899m); here there is a Fell and Rock Climbing Club War Memorial. Walk and descend slightly 50 metres towards Wast Water; the large cairn here is known as The Westmorland Cairn, erected by two brothers in 1876 and it affords the very best view of Wast Water. Sit here a while, eat your lunch and revel in one of the finest views in the Lake District.

From the summit, make a rocky descent back down to Beck Head following the path used in ascent and instead of continuing straight on, take the path to the left; this is part of the path named Moses' Trod, an old commercial route between Honister and Ravenglass. Up to the left, the Great Napes are visible and if you stand and look hard enough, the famous Napes Needle can be seen and on the right, the deep chasm of Ill Gill. As the descent is made, the rocky path gives way to a lush green carpet called Gavel Neese on the map (Gable Nose) which follows the ravine of Gable Beck. The path leads down to a wooden bridge and the level easy path wends its way from here to Burnthwaite. Bear right at the farm gates and follow the walled grass lane through the many sheep back to Wasdale Head, criss-crossing Fogmire Beck as you go. By now, your dry throat will be screaming out for that welcoming and well deserved drink in the Wasdale Head Inn.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable Distance: 6 miles Time: 3 hours 30 minutes.

Map: OS Explorer OL6, The English Lakes South Western Area Start Point: Wasdale Head - Grid Reference (NY 187 088)

Grading: Hard Terrain: Steep ascent with easy rock scrambling.

Head along the tarmac to the Wasdale Head Inn.

Turn right through the gate past Row Head on the path to Black Sail.

Follow the path and turn right through the gate above the main path - (NY 188 091). This path leads directly to the summit of Kirk Fell (NY 195 105).

Carry on across a hollow containing two tarns named Kirkfell Tarn to the North Top of Kirk Fell (NY 199 107).

Follow the fence and descend the rocky path to Beck Head (NY 206 107).

Head straight on and ascend directly the summit of Great Gable (NY 211 103). The Westmorland cairn viewpoint lies 50m towards Wast Water (NY 210 103).

Descend the path previously climbed back to Beck Head.

Follow the first left path from Beck Head descending along the clear route above Gable Beck to a wooden footbridge (NY 199 093).

Follow the level path to Burnthwaite, bear right through the farm back to the Wasdale Head Inn.

by Sean McMahon