Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor & Cat Bells - September 2014

Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor & Cat Bells - Thursday 18 September 2014

Route 

Buttermere - High Snockrigg - Robinson - Littledale Edge - Hindscarth - Dale Head - High Spy - Maiden Moor - Cat Bells - Skelgill Bank - Portinscale - Keswick

Parking

Free parking opposite the Petrol Station at High Hill, Keswick

Mileage

13 miles

Terrain

Good mountain paths however the transit from High Snockrigg to Robinson via Buttermere Moss is likely to be boggy after heavy rain. Some steep ascents and descents.

Weather

Warm and sunny with hazy visibility

Time Taken

7hrs

Total Ascent

4848ft (1478m)

Wainwrights

6

Map

OL4- The English Lakes - North Western Area

GPX File

gpx robinson.gpx

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Walk Description

Circular walks are all well and good but once in a while it is nice to use public transport and walk back to your car. We had been wanting to do this walk for a couple of reasons, one of which was that the last time we were on these fells we had absolutely no viz whatsoever. Today promised better weather and the day dawned bright and sunny, if a little hazy but you can't have everything. We therefore parked in Keswick and walked to the bus stop at Booths to catch the 0840 Borrowdale Rambler to Buttermere.

Buttermere was a hive of activity yet nobody was heading out to High Snockrigg therefore we were soon out alone on the fell side. The ascent of High Snockrigg is a good warm up for the calves and we were soon on the summit enjoying the views over to the High Stile range and also towards Crummock Water and Mellbreak. The transit over to Robinson has to cross over Buttermere Moss which, fortunately for us was pretty dry today but has a reputation for being boggy after heavy rain. Reaching the foot of Robinson there is now a short, steep pull up to gain the summit where the views really open out over towards Hindscarth and Dale Head as well as over your shoulder to Grasmoor.

Leaving Robinson there is now a high level transit along Littledale Edge before making the bearing left on a good path up to the summit of Hindscarth. From the summit the path to Dale Head is clearly visible along Hindscarth Edge and it was here we saw our first walkers - several groups coming towards us from Dale Head. Hinsdcarth Edge is relatively flat but on reaching the lower slopes of Dale Head there is another steep pull up to the imposing summit cairn. The view from Dale Head on a clear day is superb - looking right along the ridge to High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells is one of our favourite Lakeland views and was pretty clear today apart from the slight haze which was still in the air. The descent down to Dale Head Tarn is steep and care needs to be taken here - today there were a team from Fix The Fells doing some good work in repairing the eroded path.

Dale Head Tarn is a lovely spot to stop and have lunch and that is exactly what we did before making the gradual ascent up on to High Spy. From the summit the excellent views are maintained and it is a very pleasant amble along the ridge to Maiden Moor before descending to Hause Gate. From here it is another steep pull up to Cat Bells where there are glorious views over Derwent to Keswick and the Skiddaw range.

There is now a steep descent off Cat Bells to Skelgill Bank and another drop down to Hawes End where there is a delightful walk through the woods to the road at Portinscale. From here it is a simple walk via the suspension bridge into Keswick.