“The walker who toils up to the top of Ill Bell may be pardoned for feeling that he has achieved a major climb that has played a part of some consequence in mountaineering history, for he finds himself confronted by an imposing array of fine cairns that would do credit to a Matterhorn”
A Wainwright
The Kentmere Horseshoe follows two great ridges, covering several great summits including High Street, Harter Fell, Ill Bell and Froswick.
A great walk with some steep inclines, exposed rocks and the good chance of seeing the wild fell ponies.
Let our experienced guides take you through Kentmere on a classic fell walk.
“It is sometimes difficult to recall the details of familiar summits but surely all who have climbed Thornthwaite Crag will identify it in memory by it's remarkable 14 feet column, one of the most distinctive cairns in Lakeland”
A Wainwright
The route follows the classic horseshoe route in an anticlockwise direction climbing first to the summit of Shipman Knotts and Kentmere Pike before continuing over the summits of Harter Fell and Mardale Ill Bell and High Street, the highest point of the walk.
From the summit of High Street we will descend over Thornthwaite Crag to Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke, a wonderful ridge as we descend back towards Kentmere with great views south over Windermere and Morecambe Bay.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside Kentmere Church
Postcode: LA8 9JL
Grid Reference: NY 456 041
Directions
Staverley can be easily found just off the A591 between Windermere and Kendal, turn off the A591 into the village and pass through to the centre of the village where the road to Kentmere will be signposted to the north of the road, follow this road to Kentmere.
Bus Services
There are currently no buses along the Kentmere Valley.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here