Bell Crags [Long Moss] [Blea Tarn Fell]

About Bell Crags [Long Moss] [Blea Tarn Fell]

Sitting on the wild, undulating ridge between Thirlmere and Watendlath, this rugged Central Fells summit offers a quieter alternative to its busier neighbours. Known for its rocky outcrops and the boggy stretches of Long Moss, it provides a superb vantage point over the hidden waters of Blea Tarn and the Borrowdale valley.

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Did You Know?

• •The name 'Bell' is a common Lakeland descriptor for a prominent, rounded outcrop, likely derived from the Old English 'belle'. Its alternative name, Long Moss, is a candid warning of the saturated peat bogs that guard the approaches from the south.
• •While omitted from Alfred Wainwright’s famous 214 fells, Bell Crags is a staple of the Birkett and Synge lists. Mark Richards, in his Fellranger series, champions the fell for its 'wonderfully wild' character and its commanding position above the morass of Launchy Gill.
• •The summit geography is slightly deceptive; the actual highest point is a specific boulder located roughly 85 metres north of the primary cairn.
• •From the top, you are rewarded with an excellent profile of the Helvellyn range across the Thirlmere valley, while looking west provides a clear view down to the secluded Blea Tarn—the source of Watendlath’s famous beck.
• •Negotiating the terrain between here and Ullscarf confirms that 'Long Moss' is less a name and more a geological threat to the integrity of your waterproof liners.