Newlands Horseshoe in 2016


The high point of this walk is Dale Head at 753m (2,470ft) going by way of Robinson and Hindscarth, whilst also taking in High Spy and Maiden Moor on the homeward leg. The Collins rambler's guide lake district gives the distance as 9 miles and the total ascent as 1,050m (3,445ft.)

The walk starts and ends at Little Town in Newlands Valley. Little Town car park can be reached along a long twisting narrow lane from Swinside or by the Newlands Valley road via a ford at Birk Rigg to cross Chapel Bridge. Neither route is without its hazards. Crossing Chapel Bridge with a wide vehicle leaves only inches to spare on either side.

The car park amounts to little more than an unmarked and unsurfaced lay-by. It used to be free parking but there is now a metal 'honesty' box that requests £3. Is it official? It does not have the appearance of a corporate installation. Perhaps the local youths find it a convenient way to collect pocket money.

I started my walk from an otherwise empty car park at 08:40 on the 15th March 2016. 		  Car Park at Little Town My motor car in Little Town car park


Little Town Chapel Little Town Chapel   The general direction to Robinson is south-westerly and for the first mile one can walk on a quiet, narrow road that gently climbs. Cross Chapel Bridge and turn left to follow that road until it ends at the farmhouse at Low High Snab. The farmhouse is well maintained with windows, fascias, gutters, downpipes and gates all painted bright red against the whitewashed rendering. After passing the farmhouse a gate opens onto the fell-side.

The path beyond the gate leads into a valley in deep shade, certainly at this time of the morning. To the left is the ridge that leads to Hindscarth, while to the right is the ridge that leads to Robinson. Robinson was named after Richard Robinson, the local landowner.

Later, we will need to gain the Robinson ridge and follow it to the summit but that is not quite as shown on the Ordnance Survey map; more of that in a little while.


Farmhouse at Low High Snab Red and white farmhouse at Low High Snab   Gate onto open fell-side Gate onto the open fell-side


Our footpath gradually converges with Scope Beck and after a mile, or so, we reach a dam and small reservoir. The Ordnance Survey map suggests continuing on approximately the same line but climbing to pass below a rocky outcrop and to join the ridge much later, only a short distance from Robinson summit itself. I have not found any evidence of such a path and have struggled through bracken and over scree on a previous visit.

Other walkers have since agreed that the best policy is to climb from the reservoir to join the ridge just between Blea Crags. This is up a grassy slope and immediately provides better views and a fine ridge walk from there onwards.

There is a single tree on the skyline that marks the best route up to the ridge and you can start up towards that tree just before you reach the reservoir, if you so wish. 		  Dam and Reservoir Scope Beck dam and reservoir


On starting the climb from the valley floor, it was possible to look back and, in the photograph, Scope Beck can be seen leading towards the 'red and white' farmhouse that appears as a white dot. Behind it and slightly further to the right is the chapel itself.

Beyond both the farmhouse and the chapel is the ridge leading to Cat Bells and in the far distance Skiddaw is to the left and Blencathra to the right.

The ground underfoot is tufted grass and occasional rock making for quite easy going. The deep shadow continues well up the hillside. 		Looking back Looking back towards Little Town


Blea Crags Leaving the shade with that tree ahead   Tree with reservoir far below Lone tree, can you see the reservoir?


On top of Blea Crags On top of Blea Crags, can you still see the tree?   The path along the top of the ridge is well used and, although it goes over a number of rocky outcrops, it is not difficult to follow.

The photograph shows the gentle grassy col where our climb joined the ridge path and you can see what a good marker that tree is.

With the sun behind us the views into the Newlands valley are superb.

We need to turn round and starting walking in the opposite direction if we are to reach Robinson.


Snow on the approach to Robinson Patches of snow on the approach to Robinson   Robinson summit A curved windbreak acts as a summit cairn on Robinson


The photograph of Robinson summit was taken at 10:55, so 2:15 minutes from Little Town. I had not stopped except to take photographs and just walked steadily without trying to hurry. Time for a coffee now though and for a good look around.

From Robinson the descent is steep alongside a fence and overlooking Honister Pass, way below. When the ground rises ahead of you it is necessary to take a left turn to gain Littledale Edge and this is another steep and exhausting climb.

Near the top of the climb you need to take a small footpath off to the left if you wish to visit Hindscarth summit as the main footpath continues on to Hindscarth Edge, which is fairly level with views of Dale Head. 		  Crummock Water Crummock Water with Loweswater beyond


Descent from Robinson Long curve shows descent with snow on the shady side of Fleetwith   Dale Head viewed from Hindscarth Edge Dale Head viewed from Hindscarth Edge


The cairn on Dale Head The cairn at Dale Head   I arrived at Dale Head at 12:40 so 4:00 after leaving Little Town. In terms of distance I am about halfway round but well over halfway in terms of the energy required; most of the remainder being downhill.

The next photograph is the most important of the series and shows the view looking towards the Skiddaw range. The return path is along the ridge on the right with a climb to High Spy followed by a descent to Maiden Moor.

First though, there is a very steep descent to pass around the back of Dalehead Tarn before starting the tiring climb to High Spy.


The view from Dale Head The view from Dale Head; Hindscarth ridge to the left, High Spy and Maiden Moor to the right


Dalehead Tarn Dalehead Tarn   Steep descent from Dale Head Steep descent from Dale Head


High Spy summit cairn High Spy summit cairn   High Spy was reached at 14:25 and the photograph of the summit cairn was the last one I took on the walk.

From High Spy the route was over Narrow Moor and Maiden Moor before reaching the col at Hause Gate. The descent from there is over a clear track to Little Town. Photographs of Narrow Moor and Maiden Moor are available on my earlier walks.

I have no record of my time back at Little Town but from previous walks it would have been no more than two hours from High Spy, so say 16:30. The Collins book suggests 7 hours and I would have done it in just under 8 hours, which I consider to be quite acceptable.


Editor: Peter J. Cosker   peter@the2coskers.com   other Lake District walks   Updated: 10/11/2016