Froswick: Height, Ridge Walks and Views above Kentmere

Froswick is the smaller, quieter-looking companion to Ill Bell on the ridge dividing Troutbeck from Kentmere. At 720m (2,362ft), it has a proper pointed summit and a strong sense of place, even if walkers often meet it halfway through a longer round. Its appeal lies in that continuity: grassy cols, rocky crests and the steady unfolding of the Far Eastern Fells ahead.

A distinct summit between two dales

Seen along the ridge, Froswick resembles a smaller version of neighbouring Ill Bell. Both have compact, pointed tops rather than the broad, rounded summits found elsewhere in the Far Eastern Fells. Froswick stands immediately north of Ill Bell and south of Thornthwaite Crag, with a dip in the ridge separating it from each. That shape gives it a clear identity, despite the higher ground nearby.

Its western slopes fall towards the upper Troutbeck valley, while its eastern side faces Kentmere. The contrast between the narrow crest and the depth of the valleys is central to its character. Grass covers much of the fell, broken by rock and steeper ground; this is not simply a gentle grassy rise when seen from below.

The summit outlook is shaped by its neighbours. Ill Bell commands the view south along the ridge, and Thornthwaite Crag rises to the north. There are views towards Windermere and across the surrounding fells, while the valleys on either side give the foreground much of its interest. Froswick rewards looking down and across as much as looking towards distant summits.

Froswick in the Far Eastern Fells

Froswick appears in The Far Eastern Fells, Book Two of Alfred Wainwright’s seven-volume guide to the Lakeland fells. At 720m, it ranks 77th in height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its summit grid reference is NY435085.

It belongs to the ridge running north from Yoke through Ill Bell towards Thornthwaite Crag and the High Street uplands. This is one of the defining ridges of the southern part of the Far Eastern Fells, separating the Troutbeck and Kentmere catchments. Understanding that position makes more sense of Froswick than treating it as an isolated summit: its character comes partly from the fells and valleys linked around it.

A summit on the Kentmere Horseshoe

Froswick’s best-known walking association is the Kentmere Horseshoe, the long fell circuit around the head of Kentmere. It stands on the western arm alongside Yoke and Ill Bell, with Thornthwaite Crag beyond. Walkers also include it in ridge outings approached from Troutbeck.

Those connections explain why Froswick is often crossed rather than chosen as the sole destination. It remains a distinct summit within the round, not merely a stretch of connecting ground. The wider circuits involve substantial distance, ascent and exposed upland walking; a dedicated route guide and an appropriate map are essential for planning.

Where Froswick stands

Summit at grid reference NY435085 · open full map

The real Froswick

Walking Froswick

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Froswick

Conditions estimated at summit height (720 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Froswick on your wall

A painting of Froswick can recall more than the summit itself: the dip from Ill Bell, the rise towards Thornthwaite Crag, or changing light across Troutbeck. On a wall at home, that familiar ridge offers a quiet connection to a long day on the fells.

Own “Vivid Light on Froswick Ridge” — our painting of Froswick → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Far Eastern Fells

• Ill Bell 757 m
• Thornthwaite Crag 784 m
• Yoke 707 m
• Mardale Ill Bell 760 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.