Ill Bell

Ill Bell as seen from Yoke

Height: 757m (2,484ft)
Prominence: 124m (407ft)
Region: Far Eastern Fells
Classifications: HuMP, Nuttall, Hewitt, Wainwright, Birkett
Summit feature: Two large irregular cairns
Times climbed: 3
Related trip reports:
The Kentmere Horseshoe - 30/06/2019
Troutbeck to Hartsop - 11/10/2015
The Kentmere Horseshoe - 18/07/2013

The two large cairns on the summit of Ill Bell

What Wainwright said:

"The graceful cone of Ill Bell is a familiar object to most residents of South Westmorland and those visitors who approach the Lake District by way of Kendal and Windermere, though few who know it by sight can give it a name and fewer still its correct name".

Ill Bell stands on a ridge between Kentmere and Troutbeck valleys. From most directions, Ill Bell appears to be a symmetrical bell-shaped peak and 'Hill Bell' is one possible derivation of it's name. With this form aped by Froswick, the ridge assumes an unmistakable 'roller-coaster' appearance when viewed in profile from the ridge opposite.

The summit is unusually stony for a peak in the Far Eastern Fells and a number of columnar cairns are built at various points across it. The view of the Scafells is good and Ill Bell also gives a fine view of Windermere.

Return to Lake District – Far Eastern Fells