Cross Fell is the highest point in the Pennine hills of Northern England. As such it is also the highest point in England outside the Lake District. The summit is simply a stony plateau forming part of an escarpment that rises steeply above the Eden Valley on its western flanks. The eastern side and drops off more gently towards the South Tyne and Tees Valleys.

Cross Fell is crossed by the Pennine Way; thus it may climbed either from Dufton to the southwest, or Garrigill to the northeast simply by following the Way. The summit is about 12 km from either village. The shortest route (around 6 km each way) is via a track from the village of Kirkland.

The summit is crowned by a cross-shaped dry-stone shelter, though it is not thought that this is the reason for the naming of the hill. On a clear day there are excellent views across the Eden Valley to the mountains of the Lake District.