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
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
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GPX File
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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.
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.
Syke Farm Cafe in Buttermere - unfortunately it did not open until 1030
The lovely church of St James in Buttermere
The Wainwright Memorial Stone in Buttermere Church
Heading out of Buttermere towards High Snockrigg
Shame it is hazy today - Rannerdale Knotts with Mellbreak over Crummock Water
The High Stile Ridge over Buttermere
The summit of High Snockrigg with the High Stile ridge behind - come on Fudge we have only just started!!
Its not what it looks like!! The summit of High Snockrigg looking over Buttermere
Heading across Buttermere Moss to Robinson
Looking back along the path to High Snockrigg with the High Stile ridge behind
The summit of Robinson
Heading off Robinson towards Littledale Edge
Littledale Edge. The path to Hindscarth slopes across to the left - Dale Head can be seen in the centre
Looking back along Littledale Edge to Robinson
Two best mates on the summit of Hindscarth
Dale Head from Hindscarth
Hindscarth
Looking over to High Spy from the approach to Dale Head
Approaching Dale Head
The impressive summit cairn on Dale Head
What a view - looking over to High Spy & Maiden Moor from Dale Head
Fix the Fells doing some good stuff on the path down from Dale Head to the tarn
Dale Head Tarn
The path over to High Spy from near Dale Head Tarn
The summit of High Spy with Dale Head behind
Fudge on what could be the summit of Maiden Moor - who knows!!
Cat Bells
Who are yer? Fudge on Cat Bells
The rocky summit of Cat Bells
Derwent Water and Keswick from Cat Bells
Looking back to Cat Bells from Skelgill Bank