Birks from Boredale Hause
Birks
Forming a broad, intermediate shoulder along the grand northeastern ridge falling away from the mighty massif of St. Sunday Crag, Birks is a fell frequently traversed but rarely targeted as a primary objective. The mountain's modest name derived from old Cumbrian dialect, historically denoting a specific hillside area where native birch trees once predominated and blanketed the lower slopes.
Upland walkers routinely sweep across the crest of Birks as an entry or exit point when tackling the high ridge traverse to or from Patterdale. While initial impressions suggest a simple ridge undulation, it possesses 20 metres of localized topographic independence. This drop ensures its official status as an independent Nuttall fell, validating Alfred Wainwright's decision to award the high ground its own dedicated chapter due to its clear structural borders above the valleys.
The summit
The absolute summit is an expansive, grassy plateau marked simply by a humble, low-lying pile of stones. Because the massive bulk of St. Sunday Crag looms heavily immediately to the southwest, the mountain naturally blocks the classic high-alpine mountain horizons in that direction. However, shifting your gaze out toward the northern rim opens up a highly satisfying vantage point, treating walkers to magnificent, drop-down panoramic views tracking over the winding lower reaches of Ullswater and the rolling, green profiles of the border fells framing the lake.
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