What's the difference between the Wainwrights and the Birketts?

The Wainwrights are 214 fells selected personally by Alfred Wainwright, covering the famous peaks. The Birketts are a much more comprehensive list of 541 tops over 1,000 feet that include every named summit in the Lake District, including obscure outcrops and secondary peaks that most people overlook.

Which Birkett is the hardest to reach?

Pillar Rock is the hardest because you can't simply walk up—it requires Grade 3 scrambling or rock climbing, even on the easiest routes. It's the main reason many people never complete the full Birkett list, and you'll likely need a guide if you're not an experienced climber.

Do I need special navigation skills for the Birketts?

Yes, you absolutely do. Most Birketts don't have clear paths, so you'll be navigating through waist-high bracken and boggy ground with only your map, compass, or GPS. When mist drops in the Lakes, you're entirely on your own without the safety net of well-trodden trails.

The Classification Index

The 541: A Hiker’s Guide to the Lake District Birketts

The Wainwrights draw the crowds, but the Birketts lead you into the wildest, quietest corners of the fells

25 August 202610 min read