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Cross Fell

English/Welsh
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
893 m (2929 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NY68743432
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
n/a
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
2
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Cross = angry and fjall (Old Norse) = a mountain, or hill, or upland tract.
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  91   Appleby-in-Westmorland
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Cross Fell (2500ft+) is the highest Pennine (England) Hill and stands on the watershed between the North and Irish Seas. To its E lie the headwaters of the rivers Tees and Tyne, being the largest wilderness area remaining in England and a Nature Reserve; and to the W on a clear day is an extensive panorama across the Eden valley to the mountains of the Lake District.

Cross Fell is a broad, rounded and domed mountain without significant crags, but completely ringed above the 820m contour by a band of rock which has weathered into small boulders and scree. Above this is the vast summit plateau which is trackless. The Pennine Way long distance footpath passes over its summit: a tall narrow cairn marks this path at both its N and S points of entry onto the plateau, and in mist it would be prudent to take a compass bearing for the summit from these.

From Cross Fell the watershed ridge runs SE past Tees Head col to Little Dun Fell (842m) then on to Great Dun Fell whose top is enclosed within the area of a conspicuous radar station. The watershed turns at Cross Fell, the continuation being NE to Garrigill where an old miners vehicular track, now part of the Pennine Way, follows the watershed on its N side up to Greg’s Hut, a bothy 600m NNE of the summit at the 690m contour. From Greg’s Hut a path passes N of Cross Fell then descends W to Kirkland giving good access to Cross Fell from both Cumbrian and Northumberland sides (the intervening ground is trackless moor).

Hazards you may encounter on Cross Fell include
 Relatively Remote Mountain navigate with care.
 Moorland Terrain, few distinct landmarks.
 High Plateau, summit may be difficult to locate.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
A special thank you to David S Brown for his work on this and all of the England/Wales information.
Picture Gallery for Cross Fell

Cross Fell from the north: taken from the Hartside Pass road.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Great Dunn Fell, with the radar station, seen from Little Dunn Fell. The path skirts around the station's East side. A friendly staff person whom I saw near the entrance was happy to let me walk to the highest point (not built on).

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

The ascent route to Cross Fell from Kirkland passes this ruined bothy, which forms a prominent marker on the horizon on leaving the old mine road.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Stiched panoramic shot of Cross Fell taken from Little Dun Fell (to the S).

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
View All 9 Images for Cross Fell

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Cumbrian Fells
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Lake District
by Met Office 		Cross Fell
by Metcheck
Cross Fell Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
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sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Cross Fell.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Cross Fell
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 685 m 13.80 km 4 hrs Cross Fell  Shorter route from the West, on broad slopes. Note that an electric fence is crossed by style at Tyne Head col: ‘cutting this corner’ to the descent track may not be feasible.  
2 840 m 29.66 km 7.5 hrs Cross Fell  A very long circular walk, requiring stamina, but on gentle gradients, passing the source of the South Tyne, crossing England’s largest wilderness area (upper Teesdale) and returning on a good miners’ road.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Cross Fell

  Baggers Gallery for Cross Fell

Me on the summit of Cross Fell, celebrating completion of all the English equivalents of Munros and Corbetts with a flask of coffee (and also a wee dram in a hip flask). Seen behind me is a giant appropriately cross-shaped shelter.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
 
The logging section stores any entries for Cross Fell in your own log. From here you can
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