Kentmere Horseshoe
High-level ridge running with minimal descent until the end. The views across Kentmere Reservoir and to the surrounding fells are some of the best in the eastern Lakes.
High-level ridge running with minimal descent until the end. The views across Kentmere Reservoir and to the surrounding fells are some of the best in the eastern Lakes.
One of the Lake District's best horseshoe routes, encircling the remote Kentmere valley on a high ridge linking nine Wainwrights including Ill Bell and Harter Fell.
The route
From the small hamlet of Kentmere, the route climbs south to the Garburn Pass before gaining the ridge at Yoke. A high-level ridge links Ill Bell (757m), Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, and Kentmere Pike before descending back to the valley.
Parking warning
Kentmere has around nine parking spaces near the Institute. Arrive before 8am at weekends or you won't get in. An overflow field occasionally opens — call ahead to check.
Remote — long way from help if injured. Exposed ridge in bad weather. Very limited parking at Kentmere — no parking means no run.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Common questions
More routes in Lake District
HARD
EXPERT
VERY HARD