Ill Bell
757m (2484ft)
The Far Eastern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
You can find Ill Bell & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
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See Ill Bell and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
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*Walk & bag all 36 Wainwrights in The Far Eastern Fells area of The Lake District in just 8 easy-to-follow circular walks.
*This version is marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks. Click here for more information.
NB: Whether you print off a copy on to paper or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers Maps will prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal!
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11ml (17.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,410ft (1,039m) |
| Time: | 7½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Troutbeck Bridge - Garburn Road - Backstone Barrow - Sour Howes - Sallows - Garburn Pass - Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick - Wanfer Crag - Hagg Gill - Trout Beck - Troutbeck Tongue - Lowther Brow - Long Green Head - Limefitt Campsite - Troutbeck - Troutbeck Bridge
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11.5ml (18.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,378ft (1,030m) |
| Time: | 7½ hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Kentmere - Garburn Pass - Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick - Thornthwaite Crag - Mardale Ill Bell - Nan Bield Pass - Harter Fell (Mardale) - Kentmere Pike - Brookstones - Kentmere
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 12.25ml (19.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,194ft (1,278m) |
| Time: | 8.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Troutbeck Bridge - Garburn Pass - Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick - Thornthwaite Crag - Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor) - Doup Crag - Trout Beck - Troutbeck Tongue - Hagg Gill - Lowther Brow - Long Green Head - Limefitt Campsite - Troutbeck - Troutbeck Bridge
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Ill Bell
James Hughes walked up Ill Bell on September 11th, 2024 [from/via/route] c332 The Hagg Gill Round from Troutbeck [weather] Mixed. Odd shower, warm in valleys, cold on tops. Clear visibility. - Stunning & reasonably straight forward easy to navigate walk. Beautiful vistas. Multiple jet fly-bys. Tongue boggy & tusoucky in places. Mortal Man for post walk pint.
Paul Roddam climbed Ill Bell on March 17th, 2024 [with] Barber [weather] Cloudy coming into sun
Sarah Moore bagged Ill Bell on February 24th, 2024 [from/via/route] c332 / The Hagg Gill Round from Troutbeck. Loads of parking options & the route was well defined. Only thing to watch for is the path down when on the ridge. Most continuing on from Froswick but I needed to go left - it's clear if you look for it! Nice to go along the path once down at the Gill / stream - the road / track would be easier if there was a hurry. [with] On my own [weather] February frost, but dry although low visibility for most of the walk - particularly once past Sallows until coming down from Froswick. Glad of layers today! - 10 months since I've been in The Lakes - & it was so so good to be back. Not as cold as I expected & the sun made an appearance but visibility was rubbish. Coming down from Froswick was lethal & I went full length twice - but very glad for the poles & nothing that the washing machine can't fix! (Disappointing given how clear it was later in the day & the next day!)
David Higginbottom hiked Ill Bell on February 9th, 2023 [from/via/route] Route 332 [with] Carolyn [weather] Good
Martyn Howarth summited Ill Bell on August 15th, 2023 [from/via/route] From Kentmere Institute, as part of the Kentmere Horseshoe. [with] Tilly Howarth. [weather] Gorgeous August day, after some dreadful weather the days before! - Tough 14.5 mile walk - 3600ft of ascent! Brilliant effort by 14 yr old Tilly!
Richard Fulcher conquered Ill Bell on April 18th, 2023 [from/via/route] No parking spaces in Kentmere! Parked off road (almost in a ditch, next to farm track). Set off up to the Garburn Pass, turning right at Garburn Nook & then walked up to Yoke. From Yoke we walked around the Kentmere Horseshoe & completed Ill Bell, Froswick, Mardale Ill Bell, Kentmere Pike & Shipman Knotts. We descended via an old shepherds path passing 3 derelict buildings (shepherds huts?) & then walked along the roads back to the car. 12.14 miles. [with] Jen [weather] Sunny, blue skies, very windy in exposed places.. gusts of 30 to 40 mph. Visibility was okay but hazy. - Tiring because of the distance & total ascent of 3,500 feet.
Ian Ashton scaled Ill Bell on April 7th, 2023 [with] Solo
Pete George walked up Ill Bell on May 3rd, 2022 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Roco [weather] Overcast. Wet on tops
Christine Shepherd climbed Ill Bell during August, 2004 [from/via/route] Walked from Kentmere [with] Rebecca and Will [weather] A bit dull but dry to start with, driving rain by mid afternoon. - Climbed this again with my other daughter, Hannah, from Kentmere in very misty conditions. One day I will have a good view from this summit. Finally did this solo on a glorious March day on 6.3.22 using walk c257.
Geoff Hand bagged Ill Bell on November 10th, 2021 [from/via/route] c332 The Hagg Gill round from Troutbeck [with] Alone with Tess [weather] Warm & Dry - Set out from Church Bridge. Ill Bell is the fourth Wainwright on the walk. Two large stone pillars on the top & one cairn nearby. Had lunch looking South towards Windermere.
Jonathan Bevan hiked Ill Bell on July 19th, 2018 [from/via/route] Started KENDAL [with] Solo [weather] Brilliant sunshine
Paul Ward summited Ill Bell on April 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Started from Staveley [with] Jamie
Simon Boddy conquered Ill Bell on July 13th, 2021 [from/via/route] Church Bridge [with] My girlfriend [weather] Sunny & clear
Jeremy Torrance scaled Ill Bell on September 13th, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Duncan and Johann
John Bryers walked up Ill Bell on April 29th, 2021 [from/via/route] Parked at Kentmere Church. Walked up Garburn pass to highest point, turning right on to Yoke. Following ridge path to top of Ill Bell. [with] With Freya Gray, Jazz and Mya. [weather] Forcast predicted 3 degrees on top. It was a lot colder than that with cutting icy winds on ridge, hail on High Street & Nan Biled Pass into Kentmere. When sun was out you could feel the warmth in it. Sunny & warm with a cool breeze on ridges
Richard Marshall climbed Ill Bell on April 25th, 2021 [from/via/route] Hagg Gill round [with] Dave Jones Elsie and Roxy [weather] Warm Sunny
Ian Mackenzie bagged Ill Bell on April 17th, 2021 [from/via/route] Kentmere Horseshoe walk, parked at the church at 6am, most of the walk in glorious sunshine. [with] Me, myself and I [weather] Sunny - Not really fit enough but when in Rome....
Mark Hazelton hiked Ill Bell on April 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] Walked route c332 The Hagg Gill Round from Troutbeck. Great walk with all seasons in one day. Made a slight diversion after Troutbeck Tongue. [with] Family and Pepper [weather] All seasons in one day
Andy Buxton summited Ill Bell on November 1st, 1990 [from/via/route] Garburn Pass from Kentmere. Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike, Shipman Knotts [with] Solo [weather] Cold, clear autumn day - Very enjoyable circuit of Kentmere
Andrew Johnson conquered Ill Bell on October 29th, 2019 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Ted [weather] Sunny
Richard Marchant scaled Ill Bell during August, 1989 [from/via/route] This was a two day trip with an overnight camp on top of High Street. The route took me from Penrith along High Street the old Roman Road to Windermere via the following Wainwrights. Loadpot Hill, Whether Hill, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, High Street, Thornthwaite Crag, Froswick, Ill Bell, Yoke & Sour Howes. [with] On my own for this trip [weather] Dry & fine weather but extremely windy overnight to a point that I thought my tent was going to be blown away, but alas it survived.
Kevin Foster walked up Ill Bell on April 28th, 2019 [from/via/route] Ridge walk continuing from Yoke. [with] Henry. [weather] Clouds but with sunny breaks & clear visibility. Very warm when the sun was out. - My favourite summit on the Kentmere round. Three cairns, pyramid top, stunning views. Great lunch spot.
Wayne Baxter climbed Ill Bell on April 8th, 2019 [from/via/route] Kentmere Horseshoe, 7 peaks. Yoke, III Bell, Froswick, Mardale II Bell, Harter Bell, Kentmere Pike & Shipman Knotts. [with] Sue [weather] Sunny to start the walk but low cloudy for Mardale peak - What a great walk
Nick Dobson bagged Ill Bell on August 30th, 2018 [from/via/route] The Mortal Man in Troutbeck via Yoke [with] Margaret & Ralph [weather] Started bright & sunny, but the clouds & mist appeared as we set off up Yoke - Still in the mist before trekking along the ridge to Froswick
Liz Sheerin hiked Ill Bell on May 25th, 2018 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Neil
Elaine Evans summited Ill Bell on September 15th, 2018 [from/via/route] From holiday park at Troutbeck & onto Garburn Road, up to summit of Yoke, Ill Bell & then Froswick, returned via Hagg Gill, through the valley alongside Troutbeck Tongue. [with] Sue and Christine [weather] Beautiful day to start with but low cloud & rain came in on the tops & stayed with us as we descended into the valley. - Missed out on the views due to the weather, just unlucky this time.
Craig Steeland conquered Ill Bell on August 4th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Limefitt bus stop in Troutbeck [with] With Sue [weather] Warm & partly cloudy with excellent visibility
Paul Macey scaled Ill Bell on July 25th, 2018 [from/via/route] C332 [weather] Warm sunny
Tracey Cowell walked up Ill Bell on July 15th, 2018 [with] Andrew Foster/Billy Foster/Pete Alexander/David Cushley
Claire Oliver has climbed Ill Bell [from/via/route] Start from Kentmere GR 456041 (Limited Parking by the church) [with] Storm, Ray and I [weather] Wet then very wet conditions. Few views, low cloud. Shame as a lovely walk & deserving of a better weather day!
John Almond bagged Ill Bell on June 28th, 2018 [from/via/route] Solo walk from Kentmere Church - Garburn Pass - Yoke - ILL BELL - Froswick - Thornthwaite Crag - High Street - Mardale Ill Bell - Nan Bield Pass - Kentmere - Wainwright 127 [weather] Very hot
Christina Lander hiked Ill Bell on June 3rd, 2018 [from/via/route] Kentmere Horseshoe: Kentmere Village - Garburn Pass - Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick - Thornthwaite Crag - High Street - Mardale Ill Bell - Harter Fell - Kentmere Pike - Shipman Knotts - Kentmere Village [with] Dick [weather] Dry day & very still with high cloud
Simon Myerscough summited Ill Bell on October 8th, 2006 [from/via/route] C153 [weather] low cloud, then sunny intervals
Andy Jakob conquered Ill Bell on August 12th, 2017 [from/via/route] from Kirkstone pass Inn to Staveley [with] AFWC Colin, Rory and Connor [weather] Rain in morning till 13.30 Low cloud - Slow walking Rory held us back by at least an hour!
Iain Jones scaled Ill Bell on August 6th, 2017 [from/via/route] Mardale (The Wainwright 60 - Day 4 (Mardale)) [with] Graeme High
Colin Millar walked up Ill Bell on August 4th, 2017 [from/via/route] YHA Windermere Yoke Circuit [with] On my own (as usual) [weather] Grey & cold for August - a few sunny spells (very few) - View of Windermere was very grey - all day - even when I had some sun on me
Phillip Bulley climbed Ill Bell on July 6th, 2017 [from/via/route] Yoke [with] Ruby. [weather] Cloudy. No visibility.
Chris Sheard bagged Ill Bell on October 3rd, 2008 [from/via/route] From Yoke along ridge [with] George [weather] Cool & calm - Great to walk in snow
David Wand hiked Ill Bell on March 25th, 2014 [from/via/route] Cold with small amount of snow & water part frozen
David Baines summited Ill Bell on April 29th, 2017 [from/via/route] Via Sour Howes, Sallows, Yoke from Church Bridge [with] Alone [weather] Overcast, mild. - A good long day coming off Froswick down Scot Rake & back along Troutbeck Tongue to Church Bridge via Garburn Road.
John Tippins conquered Ill Bell on April 15th, 2016 [from/via/route] Church Bridge, Troutbeck [with] Solo [weather] The day started sunny, but soon after starting the walk it got cloudy & rained for a short while & was quite windy on top. It brightened later & was quite warm by mid-afternoon.
Colin Egan scaled Ill Bell on April 5th, 2017 [from/via/route] Continuation from Yoke, 2nd of 6 fells today, just follow the ridge. [with] My wife Faith [weather] Sunny day with some cloud, wind cold & strong on summit. - Easy enough ascent from Yoke but going down the other side towards Froswick was a bit scary, it looked like the path just disappeared off the edge but it sneaks sideways down a steep slope. Path badly worn in places into deep gullies & loose stone but not one that the amazing path repairers can do much with I suspect. The summit has two very large cairns at either end of the top almost as though someone could not decide which end was higher so made two the same, like huge old beehives.
Emily Sharratt walked up Ill Bell on October 8th, 2016 [from/via/route] From Kentmere via the Garburn Pass [with] James [weather] Lovely bright & a bit breezy - Part of the Greater Kentmere Horseshoe
Steve Cookson has climbed Ill Bell [from/via/route] c332 troutbeck [with] gillie [weather] fair
Mark Davidson bagged Ill Bell on March 26th, 2003 [with] Alone [weather] Warm & sunny with huge views - just fantastic
Simon Clark hiked Ill Bell on July 15th, 1999 [with] MJ
Adrian Sherriff summited Ill Bell on September 12th, 2016 [from/via/route] c332
Andrew Joss conquered Ill Bell on August 29th, 2016 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Barbara, Pippa, Mick and Benson [weather] Sunny
Christine Flitcroft scaled Ill Bell on September 6th, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere Horseshoe [with] Sandra [weather] sunny, rain, mist, windy
Caroline Winter walked up Ill Bell on June 26th, 2016 [from/via/route] Kentmere, Garburn Pass, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick [with] Solo [weather] Warm, light SW breeze-14mph. intermittent low cloud on peak but good views. - A few fell runners pass me & plenty of dog walkers
Chris Robinson climbed Ill Bell on March 19th, 2016 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Emma [weather] Sunny
Jill Dean bagged Ill Bell on January 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Mortal man [with] Grezzy [weather] Cold & windy - We had done this walk together previously - but before we starting wainwright bagging. Very cold & windy. Snow.
Charlie Housley hiked Ill Bell on January 4th, 2016 [from/via/route] Part of the Kentmere Round walk. [with] Daz and Jim. [weather] Low cloud all day, it felt as though we were constantly walking at twilight.
Tony Rogerson summited Ill Bell on March 7th, 2010 [from/via/route] Kentmere Horseshoe [with] John [weather] Temperature inversion - Snow under foot
Andy Gibbs conquered Ill Bell on September 11th, 2015 [from/via/route] Kirkstone [with] Gav, Ed & Jake [weather] Great
Jon Mapp scaled Ill Bell on September 6th, 2015 [from/via/route] c332 [with] Suzzanné [weather] Glorious day, clear skies, warm & sunny - most of the route is easy to follow.
Kevin Parnham walked up Ill Bell on July 26th, 2015 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Jo [weather] Warm & sunny
Joanne Mcgawley climbed Ill Bell on June 27th, 2015 [with] Rich [weather] Warm :) - 11.22 miles
David Noble bagged Ill Bell on February 21st, 2015 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Jack [weather] Cold with light snow but good views
Mike Jackson hiked Ill Bell on March 14th, 2015 [from/via/route] Kentmere Round [with] Steve McAdam [weather] Cold but fine
Leon Harvey summited Ill Bell on March 8th, 2015 [from/via/route] c332 [with] Solo [weather] Cold, wet & windy :) - nice clear path
Phil Higgins conquered Ill Bell on February 4th, 2015 [from/via/route] Garburn & Ill Bell [with] Billy no mates [weather] Bright & cold with snow lying - Gorgeous sunny & bracing day. Left my MTB down at Garburn after cycling up from home.
Marcus Bradshaw scaled Ill Bell on November 21st, 2014 [from/via/route] As part of Walk including Sour Hows, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Frosswick & Troutbeck Tongue. We stayed at The Mortal man that night. [with] Marcus [weather] The weather was pretty good but ther wind was gale force in the saddle between the bigger peaks. - Sallows really is the worst Wainwright
Anthony Scott walked up Ill Bell on October 25th, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere Church [with] Hayley [weather] Very windy, misty & rainy - Where are we?
Darren Wilson climbed Ill Bell on October 5th, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere, Yoke,Ill Bell, Froswick, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike, Goat Scar, Shipman Knotts [with] Mike
Jacqui Smith bagged Ill Bell on September 13th, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere
Christine Knowles hiked Ill Bell on September 6th, 2014 [from/via/route] Part of Kentmere Horseshoe from Kentmere [with] Graham [weather] Beautiful
Keith Eastman summited Ill Bell on June 16th, 2014 [from/via/route] c332
Helen Marrs conquered Ill Bell during 1968 [from/via/route] Sleet, rain & wind so strong we could hardly stand
Simon Neilson-Clark scaled Ill Bell on May 30th, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Mrs H [weather] Sunny - Kentmere horseshoe On the return west side A high pull up.
Bella Wella walked up Ill Bell on May 25th, 2014 [from/via/route] horseshoe [with] paul
James Brocken climbed Ill Bell on February 23rd, 2014 [from/via/route] Kentmere
Steve Frank bagged Ill Bell on September 15th, 2012 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Jackie Frank [weather] Windy
Dave Eyes hiked Ill Bell on October 30th, 2013 [from/via/route] from Kentmere via Yoke [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Windy & Wet
Clive Ward summited Ill Bell on May 1st, 2010 [from/via/route] Kentmere Church. [with] Hazel [weather] Clear, cold, windy at Nan Bield
Martin Hobson conquered Ill Bell on July 17th, 2013 [from/via/route] Kentmere Round via Kentmere clockwise [with] Liam Leask, John Parkinson, Pete Mckevitt [weather] 24c warm & clear
Bill Rowlands scaled Ill Bell on May 30th, 2013 [from/via/route] Kentmere Church via Yoke [with] Jake the chocolate labrador [weather] Clear in the valley, low cloud, high wind & rain on the top. - Intention was to walk the horseshoe all the way around today but once I reached Ill Bell decided to turn around & go back as the weather was deteriorating very quickly
Ann Davis walked up Ill Bell on June 4th, 2013 [from/via/route] kentmere, garbon [with] andy [weather] sunny & sleeveless!
John Nicholson climbed Ill Bell on April 17th, 2010 [from/via/route] C257 - see The Kentmere skyline from Kentmere
Harry Meijer bagged Ill Bell on April 26th, 2013 [from/via/route] The Kentmere Horseshoe,Kentmere Church [with] The Lake District Walker
Stephen May hiked Ill Bell on October 25th, 2011 [with] Jill May
Denis Hoyle summited Ill Bell on March 3rd, 2013 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Danny [weather] High cloud - Snow & ice on tops
Iain Taylor conquered Ill Bell on December 23rd, 2011 [from/via/route] Hartsop (NY 41009 12992)
Bay Wan scaled Ill Bell on September 7th, 2012 [from/via/route] Start from Kentmere via Yoke towards Mardale III Bell [with] Cocoa Pops (the dog) [weather] Misty high up, low visibility - Lots of Moorland, feels like a fairly flat walk, sure there were some great views but couldn't see anything :(
Mr Davison walked up Ill Bell during June, 2010 [from/via/route] from kentmere [weather] sunny
Chris Bramley climbed Ill Bell on May 12th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ridge walk from troutbeck [with] Janet [weather] Windy cloudy cold
Stephen Littlewood bagged Ill Bell on June 12th, 2009 [from/via/route] from Troutbeck
Ian Miles hiked Ill Bell during 1995 [with] Colleaugues
Darren Mortimer summited Ill Bell on November 13th, 2011 [from/via/route] Kentmere [with] Dermot Palmer & Richard Johnson [weather] Sunny with mist
Andy Nicholls conquered Ill Bell on August 28th, 2011 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Bridge
Stephen Byrne, Katherine Bonner, Patrick Rogozinski, Melanie Dunn, Dale Sexton, Neil Heywood, Jane Wilkinson, Angela Moroney, Matthew Thomas, Daniel Wynn, David Kelley, Paul Woodhouse, Jenny Godfrey, David Kelley, Mr M A Blanchard, David Watson, Louis Smith, Jo Dixon, David Shaw, John Walter, Claire Rigg, David Butterfield, Louise Sandwith, Daniel Cook, Patricia Dilley, Simon Duerden, Jonathan Tobin, Michael Nolan, Paul Booth, David Hickin, Victoria Bates, Linda Mckeogh, Trevor Williams, Tracey Cordes, Paul Henderson, Alan Davidson, John Cuthbert, G Philpott, Carol Juden, Patrick Buckland, Robin Scott, John Southward, Stephen Millington, Rob Barklamb, Jeanette Coward, Adam Shewry and Ray O'hara have all walked, climbed & bagged Ill Bell.
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Ill Bell
Cloud trapped by a temperature inversion clawing at the eastern slopes of Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick as seen from Thornthwaite Crag
The Westerly aspect from Hollow Moor includes a distant view of Crinkle Crags with Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Thornthwaite Crag above Kentmere
Mardale Ill Bell, High Street and Rough Crag (Riggindale) above Blea Tarn from Nan Bield Pass
Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor) (left), Thornthwaite Crag, Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke (right) from Garburn Road near Troutbeck Park
Mardale Ill Bell (left) Nan Bield Pass and Harter Fell (Mardale)(right) with Kentmere Reservoir below from the summit of Yoke
. . . see all 45 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Ill Bell
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