Melmerby Fell is rather like Cross Fell in miniature, but it has the advantage of being accessible from the road at Hartside Top (575m) to the north. The Pennine Way is the UK's oldest long-distance trail, threading a route along the spine of the Pennines, and Cross Fell is its highest point. The Pennine Way connection: Cross Fell is perhaps most frequently climbed by Pennine Way hikers. With its distinctive soft curves, and unmissable size, Skiddaw is a fell of stature and bearing, the ever-present backdrop to bustling... Big, complex, and impressively remote, Ben Alder might just be the perfect all-round mountain, reckons Alex Roddie. If you're looking for even more of a leg-stretcher, start by climbing up into High Cup Nick, the wonder of the North Pennines, and navigating over largely pathless terrain to join up with the Pennine Way on Knock Fell. This is a place of big horizons, blanket bog, and peat hags. Cross Fell is a summit in the North Pennines - Western Fells region or range in England. There are plenty of ways to approach the peak, with the small yet well-catered village of Dufton to the south being an obvious base for your visit. A less frequented route: While Cross Fell is regularly climbed from both the south-east and north-east along the Pennine Way, the north-west ridge from  Melmerby Fell is comparatively little trodden. Cross Fell summit I was looking forward to my first sight of Greg’s Hut, a bothy restored by friends of climber John Gregory who was killed in a climbing accident in the Alps in 1968. The Pennine Way goes over Cross Fell from Dufton via Great Dun Fell to Garrigill and Alston. SKILLS: Snowshoes in Scotland - more than just a novelty, Why Alex Roddie Walks 5 Miles a Day Before Work, Show your support UKH Supporter badge on your profile and forum posts. Lost path. Day 1 - Cross Fell & Round Hill The Pennine Way (PW) makes an easy if long gradual climb to the hills, passing around the steep cone of Dufton Pike and crossing Swindale Beck at a footbridge, where a pile of stone slabs was destined to be set into the loose hillside. The highest peak, Cross Fell, is just 2 miles further north and you should be able to see it in the distance (weather permitting!). It is located at the northern end of the Pennine moors and has extensive views of the Lake District, the west coast and also the east coast. The origin of the name isn't known for sure. Local pub: The Stag Inn, Dufton, offers real ale and bar meals. Dufton Pike is a graceful, steep sided fell on the edge of the vast Pennine Moors. Read more. Advertise here. Plan to start at Cowgreen Reservoir, over High Cup Nick into Dufton before traversing Great Dun fell, Little Dun Fell and Cross Fell. Pack : Today I carried full camping gear. Best route: A complete circuit of  Great Dun Fell (848m) and Cross Fell from Dufton, returning via the route of A Pennine Journey through Milburn, is a classic way to enjoy this mountain. Cross on the Fell : Alteknacker: 24/08/2020: 4: A walk to the Pennine's highest. Guests at the holiday home can enjoy cycling nearby, or make the most of the garden. CLICK HERE FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) IN THE LAKE DISTRICT & CUMBRIA. The cottage can sleep four people in one double bedroom, and one twin together with a family bathroom. What's in a name? Where to stay? Please help UKHillwalking continue to provide varied and free content by becoming an official UKH Supporter. Fair warning: there are bogs. Dufton is at the centre of the Helm Wind area – one of the best examples in Britain of a ‘local wind’ – a phenomenon caused by cold easterly air rising over Cross Fell then rushing down the steep escarpment where it meets warm air, which rises and causes a turbulent air-stream. Cross Fell is the highest point in the Pennines at 893m in altitude. Lost path near Great Dun, south of Cross Fell. Snow has been known to lie on Cross Fell for up to 140 days a year. The holiday home has 2 bedrooms, a TV, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a bath or shower. 3. A variation on this bigger theme is to walk the whole North Pennine watershed from Hartside to Dufton, taking in Cross Fell and High Cup: Route CardNorth Pennine Watershed High winds, low cloud, rain and cold. UKH Articles and Gear Reviews by Only a hill. This will repeat as more distant islands merge with Cross Fell, but for quite a while, Cross Fell will remain the highest point on its island. Hidden gem: The most direct route up or down Cross Fell from the Eden Valley side is via Wildboar Scar, and this path passes close by a small 412m summit called Grumply Hill. Nearby, the summit of Great Dun Fell becomes clear and as the water level continues to drop, the islands of Cross Fell and Great Dun Fell get larger and eventually merge into a single, larger island. The route is around 30km (18.7 miles) in length with just over 1,000m of ascent. There are several options in Dufton, including YHA Dufton and Dufton Caravan Park, which has a camping area for tents. 4. When the Helm Wind's blowing, walking up or down the western flank can be difficult. It used to be Fiends Fell on account of the angry spirits until St Augustine visited during his mission from Rome (597-604) to bring the pagan English to Christianity and to try to bring the Celtic church of the British under the dominion of Rome. Even then it is a long climb across the moors. Personality: Vast, daunting, stern – a landscape that takes no prisoners. “The Pennine Way runs over the summit of Cross Fell and often draws visitors to the area from all over the world. An under appreciated mountain in my opinion. Cross Fell © Lankyman, Jan 2012 Best route: A complete circuit of Great Dun Fell (848m) and Cross Fell from Dufton, returning via the route of A Pennine Journey through Milburn, is a classic way to enjoy this mountain. The southern uplands of Scotland and the Cheviots can also be seen from here. 3. Langdon Beck to Dufton Alston to Haltwhistle Cross Fell and Great Dun Fell, the latter with its distinctive golf ball radar. Alternatively, you may have camped or stayed at a B&B in Dufton. 5. A 57-year-old male with hypothermia on Cross Fell. So it was that I drove up to Dufton to do this route. If you appreciate UKHillwalking then please help by becoming a UKH Supporter. We are now at the summit of Great Dun Fell. In the end I decided to leave Burney Hill for later in the year when the days would be long enough for me to include it in a walk with Cross Fell. This is the largest block of high ground in England and tends to retain snow-cover longer than neighbouring areas. Cross Fell View Holiday home entices guests with 2 bedrooms with views of Durham Tees Valley and Tees Valley. We need to look at new ways to ensure we can keep providing our content and features whilst maintaining our key aim of allowing free access to everyone. A 57-year-old male with hypothermia on Cross Fell. UKHillwalking contributor Alex Roddie has set himself an ambitious target for 2017, to walk 1500 miles. trailmasher: 07/08/2020: 4: Up on the roof of England (Dufton to Alston) nigheandonn: 23/04/2019: 4: Cross Fell & the Dun Fells : poppiesrara: 23/04/2017: 3: Up on the Roof : johnkaysleftleg: 17/04/2016: 3: Pocket full of Pennines. The name is a bit of both according to my understanding of the legend. For our long-running series on Britain's best-loved hills, Alex Roddie gets his feet wet in search of the Helm Wind, on the moody giant of the Pennines. Alex Roddie takes a lightning tour of Helvellyn's equally worthy neighbour Fairfield, focus of two classic horseshoe walks, and a... Alex Roddie explores one of Torridon's finest, the complex and dramatic Beinn Eighe massif. With it came a double celebration, for Cross Fell is not just any old fell. Couple lost on Cross Fell. Penrith MRT leader Rob Holden said: "Cross Fell is Cumbria’s eighth highest fell at 893 metres. North Pennines - England's Siberia You can show your support and with recieve rewards. He put up a cross on the summit and banished the evil spirits and it thereafter became known as Cross Fell. 5. Lost path. Couple lost while walking from Dufton to Garrigill. Known as the Helm Wind, this fierce gale of hurricane proportions, can strike most unexpectedly during the spring. “The Cup and the Cross” Entry –£59 affiliated £61 non affiliated 34 miles of trail running heaven 5000 ft of elevation Branded Mug Wild flower Seeds or Sapling to plant. The Walk: There are a select few walks in the North of England that I have not yet done (written December 2008). Climb Cross Fell | Where2Walk Best where2walk.co.uk. All the walking routes up Cross Cross Fell, Great Dun Fell and Little Dun Fell form a block of high terrain which is all over 800 metres (2,625 ft) in altitude. A well-stocked checkpoint at the half way point in Garrigill village … Dufton Ultra 29th May 2021 Read More » Also in the cottage is a kitchen and a sitting room with woodburner and a conservatory with dining area. Mark Davidson climbed on February 14th, 2007 [with] MK and his mate who did all the Charity Walks (incl Land's End to John O'Groats) [weather] Clear & Sunny with a touch of snow on the tops - lovely The route is around 30km (18.7 miles) in length with just over 1,000m of ascent. Couple lost while walking from Dufton to Garrigill. The views are … Also in the cottage is a kitchen and a sitting room with woodburner and a conservatory with dining area. Alex Roddie heads to the rolling high point of the Cheviots, looking for a place called the Bizzle. Lost path near Great Dun, south of Cross Fell. Couple lost on Cross Fell. 2. Lost path. The highest point on the Pennine Way. Low cloud, rain and cold. It is the only named wind in the British Isles. Cross Fell View is a lovely mid-terrace cottage close to the village of Dufton just five miles from Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership are hosting a series of walks, talks and events over... UKHillwalking is a vibrant site with rich content and an amazing community. Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Cross Fell. It is advised that the ascent should be undertaken in fair weather as it requires some tricky navigation, although the descent is along a good track. Identifying individual Lakeland peaks from this distance is likely to test your knowledge, but Blencathra is reasonably easy to identify, with Sharp Edge appearing prominent. This was a pleasant day's walk over Cross Fell. If viewed through mist from a distance it might be mistaken for a landed flying saucer. The cottage can sleep four people in one double bedroom, and one twin together with a family bathroom. Outdoor Shops Standing at 893m above sea level, we’d reached the highest point of the whole of the Pennine Way. The 20-mile stage from Dufton to Alston is regarded as the hardest day on the entire route. The most popular way to climb Cross Fell is a start from Garrigill near Alston. "Which makes it one metre taller than Pillar, with its … Snow can be found in gullies on the north side of Cross Fell as late as May in most years. Cross Fell View provides cosy accommodation, ideal for a relaxing break with the spectacular North Pennine fells on the doorstep. Walking and Rambling in Dufton You can approach Cross Fell, the highest point along the Pennine Way from the hostel. Pendle Hill in Lancashire is one, Cross Fell and High Force in the North Pennines, and the Cheviot being amongst the others. Elsewhere on Cross Fell, you'll find the usual Pennine assortment of disused mines and curious ruins – approach with caution, and never enter abandoned levels. This would have been about the same time as British Cumbria became nominally part of English Northumbria. Low cloud, rain and cold. Many make their ascent via the waymarked Pennine Way, up to Knock Fell, over Great and Little Dun Fells and on to the impressive dry-stone shelter that marks the summit of Cross Fell. Event tracker, to provide safety and dot watching fun for your family and friends. The highest point in England outside of the Lake District. Perhaps they hadn't been paying attention to their compass bearing across the featureless plateau…. Low cloud, windy, cold. Lost path. Condition : I feel absolutely fine after today's walk. This is the second highest peak in the Pennines at 2,785 feet (or 849 metres) above sea level. The path took us downhill out of Dufton through a delightful, canopy-shielded country lane, and then we emerged in the shadows of the hefty hills before us. The Helm Wind is a very strong (and cold) north-easterly wind that sometimes blows down the flank of the fell facing the Eden Valley. The other was to revisit a walk I’d first done in August 2010 visiting Dufton Pike and Brownber Hill. Read more. It's the highest bothy in England at 700m, and also one of the busiest, with hundreds of visits a year. 2. Summit view: On a clear day, the view westward from the summit is extensive, looking across the broad vale of the Eden Valley towards the Cumbrian fells. As if to celebrate, a small crack formed in the cloud, revealing a patch of blue underneath. All Pennine Way walkers, and indeed virtually all those who have walked on Cross Fell, will know Gregs Hut on the Pennine Way on what is a lengthy stage from Dufton to Garrigill where sadly there is limited accommodation following the closure of the pub. Knock is just 1.3 miles from the larger village of Dufton where there is a pub and just five miles from the historic town of Appleby. Cross Fell View is a lovely mid-terrace cottage close to the village of Dufton just five miles from Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. Alex Roddie climbs everyone's favourite miniature mountain in the Peak District - Mam Tor, an easily won summit that's home to prehistoric remains and a spectacular landslip. Cross Fell is 893 metres high. Three of England’s major rivers rise near to the summit – the Tyne, the Tees and the Wear. But on a warm summer's day it can be less bleak than you might imagine, with skylarks trilling overhead and a good chance of other walkers to chat to coming along the Pennine Way, which traverses the summit. The bottom of my feet ached on the long and stony descent from the top of Cross fell, but that was just a minor annoyance. This venue also includes a patio. Alex Roddie discovers the delights of Garbh Bheinn, the jewel of Ardgour and among the greatest and most rugged of all the Corbetts. Don't miss High Cup Nick, an impressive geological feature popular with walkers, and the North Pennines very The highest bothy in England: Greg's Hut is located just to the north of the summit, next to the Pennine Way, and was once used as a blacksmith's shop as part of the nearby lead mines. There's a little extra interest, too, in the rather grandly named Melmerby High Scar – a low band of broken cliffs overlooking the village of Melmerby. The walk from Dufton is short but very rewarding. Low cloud, windy, cold. I leave from Dufton and almost immediately begin climbing to Knock Fell. From Kirkland; along Pennine way via Great Dun Fell to Dufton. A long walk back on the roads avoided by a kind local who drove me all the way back to the start: gettingonabit: 18/01/2020: Cross fell in the snow With Simon Hutchinson & Shaun Chilton: 2510chris: 10/01/2020 The section of this walk from Dufton to Garrigill can present a long and challenging journey for the inexperienced hill-goer. © UKClimbing Limited. In times gone by Cross Fell was associated with demons and was often known as the “Fiends Fell”, possibly because of the great wind it can produce in the valley of the Eden to its west. On the other side of the hill, there's YHA Alston and Haggs Bank Bunkhouse (which also offers camping). Cross Fell View is situated in Dufton. High winds, low cloud, rain and cold. 4. This solid and very well-constructed edifice is about 8ft high and has four walls protruding out to offer shelter, plus stone seating. Cross Fell-manjaro as I like to call it. One theory suggests that a cross once stood at the summit, while another claims that the fell was thought to be the haunt of angry (or cross) spirits. Cross Fell is the highest mountain in the Pennine Hills of Northern England and the highest point in England outside the Lake District.It is located in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.It lies within the historic county boundaries of Cumberland and the modern council area of Cumbria. A 19 mile hike over the north Pennine hills including the highest point of the Pennine Way, Cross Fell. In addition to having an excellent name, it's a nice quiet spot for some lunch with good views back down into the valley: Route CardCross Fell from Kirkland Its sheer bulk always impresses me when you see it 12 miles away towering over Penrith when travelling east on the A66, especially when it's snow capped. What’s more, you’ll also reach the summits of the second and third highest peaks in the Pennines, Great Dun Fell and Little Dun Fell. Read more. The southern uplands of Scotland and the Cheviots can also be seen from here. Dufton is famous for it’s Helm Wind: The Helm Wind is a named wind in Cumbria, England, a north-easterly wind which blows down the south-west slope of the Cross Fell escarpment. Angela Moroney walked up on August 6th, 2020 [from/via/route] milburn [with] SOLO. I think this is the point where I conclude that I simply don't get the Pennine Way. Cross Fell. In bad weather it can be a real test of your skills and fitness. The next stage is the 20 mile walk from Dufton to Alston which crosses the highest point on the Pennine Way, Cross Fell. We’d done well indeed. Not any old mountain weather: The chance of bad weather's to be expected on any British hill, but Cross Fell has a unique meteorological phenomenon up its sleeve. All rights reserved. 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