Mardale Ill Bell and Piot Crag

Mardale Ill Bell

Height760m (2,493ft)

Prominence14m (45ft)

RegionFar Eastern Fells

Climbed4 Times

Mardale Ill Bell rises to the southwest of Haweswater Reservoir and stands as the significant high point along the southern ridge extending from High Street. Tucked between its grander neighbours on the classic Kentmere Horseshoe loop, it forms an essential high-altitude connector for ridge walkers.

"Mardale Ill Bell has received scant mention in Lakeland literature and, admittedly, is mainly of nondescript appearance, yet one aspect of the fell is particularly good and appeals on sight to all who aspire to a little mild mountaineering. This is to the north-east, a boulder-strewn shoulder that divides into two rocky crags enclosing a corrie tarn." — A. Wainwright

The landscape reveals its true drama along the northeast face of the fell, which drops away sharply to form the dark, craggy glacial backdrop to Blea Water. At an impressive depth of 60 metres, Blea Water holds the title of the deepest corrie tarn in the Lake District, carving a striking amphitheatre beneath the main high ridge path.

Mardale Ill Bell's summit cairn

The upper plateau features two distinct, large stone cairns, with the more northerly structure marking the absolute geographical summit. From this high point, the distant profiles of the Coniston fells are beautifully aligned across the horizon, while walking a short distance over to the rocky rim of the northern crags opens up stunning drop-down vistas over both Blea Water and Small Water nestling below.