(An endless walk through time)

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This website has been Designed by, is Registered to, and is Maintained by Gordon Welch. © 2008.

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The path couldn’t be simpler to follow! But be warned, when it’s windy – it’s very windy here and there are few places to shelter above the 550 metre contour apart from a bothy marked to the south of the bridleway at around 700 metres. However, Cross Fell was originally named Fiend’s Fell and with good reason as it exists in an area known as the mixing cauldron for the Helm Wind which appears in the form of a long mass of cloud which rests above the western edge of the escarpment. An air stream from the east climbs the gradual slope of the Pennines up to Cross Fell from whence it is cooled, but because the air in the valley is warmer, it causes the cold air to rush violently down the western slopes with an alarming roaring noise. Many fellside villages along these flanks feel the full force, particularly in spring.

The views are magnificent all around on a clear day, and with ease you will be able to pick out one mountain top after another, as well as many of the villages and rivers which abound in the Eden Valley.

If your preference is for a circular walk then having traversed the top of Cross Fell leave by the south easterly route and branch right after leaving the scree.(If you wish to return via the same route then about turn – the views will be just as sweet) At this point it is worth noting that the stream to your left heading east is the source of the River Tees and is marked by a boundary stone inscribed B/T. A boundary stone is an appropriate beginning for a river which for centuries formed a border between regions, tribes, counties and nations. You join another bridleway after briefly walking a small part of the Pennine Way, and this gradually descends to Wildboar Scar, Grumply Hill and then on to Blencarn. Continue towards Blencarn village and on entering through the gate carry on the tarmac for about 100 yards and then take the road signposted to Kirkland (it is a white metal post but on our recent visit the pointer towards Kirkland was absent.) The C2C cycle route is posted the way you require and you will pass by the tarn on your right. After approximately a mile you will arrive back in the pleasant village of Kirkland, but prior to the village is a way marked to The Hanging Walls of Mark Anthony. If you take a peep don’t be disappointed as they are nothing to do with Caesar and the Roman Empire, but “cultivation terraces” as the map shows. In fact they are a reminder of a farming heritage which could date from the Iron Age.

As mentioned at the start of the walk, this is only one of the ways to reach the summit, and is only our “view” of the scenery and noteworthy items along the way - you will, we hope, find many more.