A Top 10 most epic English Hill climb.

Cycling Birker Fell, England

Ride 2.4 miles gaining 851’ at 6.2% average grade (7.8% climb only).

Before our 2022 trip to document the top bike climbs of the UK and Ireland, we asked Simon Warren for a list of what he felt were the hardest and most epic bike climbs in England, Wales, Scotland, and all of the UK.  Birker Fell was Simon’s pick for #10 on England’s Top 10 Most Epic Bike Climbs.

You’ll reach Birker Fell after traveling some amazingly narrow farm roads lined with tall hedges. The best option for parking, that I found, is about a quarter-mile past the start point at a cattle guard. There is a dirt clearing beside the cattle guard with enough room to park so as not to obstruct the cattle gate if it needs to be used. Parking at the summit is available as well, also in a dirt section off the road. The narrow road traverses the side of the mountain and challenges riders with double digit gradients for most of the first half of the climb. The second half of the climb exits the rocky canyon and enters a plateaued area surrounded by the tall mountains of the Lake District. This is active cattle ranch land and of course you’ll be among the sheep out there as well. Birker Fell is en route to the famed Hardknott Pass and a great warmup for it.

Climb begins at the Birker Fell sign on the right and Brantrake Cottage on the left.

Bottom right photo shows the steepest part of the climb ahead (quarter-mile at 13%).

Wide open spaces and sweeping views.

Plenty of cattle and sheep along this climb.

Unmarked finish.