A rewarding Lake District walk of the highest calibre. The Horseshoe route takes in all the peaks on either side of the Newlands Valley and offers some wonderful walking and superb views throughout.
Calculated time: 7h05[?] 
Distance : 15.93km
Vertical gain : 892m
Vertical drop : 893m
Highest point : 737m
Lowest point : 130m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Lake District 
Location : Above Derwent
Starting point : N 54.580069° / W 3.166997° (D/A) The start is the car park at the northern foot of Catbells at Gutherscale (grid ref. NY246211). On fine days this can be very busy and parking can be at a premium so an early start is recommended. After parking start the climb onto Catbells. There are two paths initially and these soon merge to form a clear path to the summit. The reward for this initial ascent of 1200 feet is the fine views across Derwentwater and the many surrounding fells.
(1) Many of your fellow walkers will have fallen by the wayside as you continue on an ascending path roughly south to the summit of Maiden Moor. In my mind this is the most tedious section although the views remain as you head towards the cairn on the top of Blea Crag (630 metres). This is worth a short diversion as there is a fine view along the length of Derwentwater. After enjoying the view return to the main path and continue the gentle ascent to the summit cairn on High Spy.
(2) You have a short section of respite as you descend to Dalehead tarn at the southern end of the Newlands Valley. From here it's a matter of gritting your teeth and steadily plodding uphill until you reach the summit cairn from where the view down Newlands and across to Eel Crags makes the effort worthwhile. You now head westwards along Hindscarth Edge with a different set of fells now included in the panorama to your left. It is important that you don't get too carried away with the views and miss the turn north towards the summit of Hindscarth with its well built cairn.
(3) The hard work is now complete and you can enjoy a mainly downhill walk back to the start. The route from Hindscarth heads almost due north and descends to High Crags and then along the pleasant ridge to Scope End. From here the path descends more steeply down the eastern flank of the ridge to reach Low Snab. Here head north on the track towards the road at Chapel Bridge. Turn right along the road passing through the collection of dwellings at Little Town. Just after the last cottage take the path signed to Skelgill and follow this through pastures to reach the road at Skelgill. Bear right along the road and you are soon back at the start (D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 131m - Car park
1 : km 1.71 - alt. 422m - Cat Bells
2 : km 5.79 - alt. 636m - Cairn on High Spy
3 : km 9.67 - alt. 704m - Hindscarth
D/A : km 15.93 - alt. 130m
This is one of the great walks of the Lake District National Park and will keep you entertained for the best part of day, A day with good visibility is a must as the views throughout are engaging and you will see many of the Lakeland peaks during the circuit. Navigation is generally easy as you are following well trodden paths but do remember to save some energy for the steep 900 foot ascent from Dalehead tarn to the summit of Dale Head.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
8.36km
+443m
-442m
3h40
Moderate
Starting point in Above Derwent - Cumbria On this circular walk you will be rewarded with a lovely ascent up the small but beautiful Ard Crags, followed by an undulating ridge to Knott Rigg. The descent from Knott Rigg keeps to the top of a second ridge with good views ahead. The last section takes in farmland paths and tracks before joining the road.
7.26km
+216m
-220m
2h40
Moderate
Starting point in Above Derwent - Cumbria An interesting low level walk with the opportunity to explore old mine workings as an option. The walk takes in farmland paths and tracks and ventures above the fell wall to the dam and reservoir built by the miners. Even if you choose not to venture into the mine tunnels finding the entrances is mini adventure. Newlands Church is lovely and adds further interest to the walk.
5.54km
+15m
-24m
1h40
Easy
Starting point in Keswick - Cumbria A linear Lake District walk that follows the shore of Derwentwater south from Keswick to Lodore landing stage. The return to Keswick uses the seasonal launces on Derwentwater.
24.99km
+904m
-911m
9h45
Moderate
Starting point in Keswick - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 9 Wainwrights, 2 tarns, and 1 pub.
20.14km
+1250m
-1052m
9h20
Difficult
Starting point in Keswick - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting and finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. There are 6 Wainwrights, 1 lake, 3 tarns and a ferry.
25.26km
+1659m
-1600m
11h55
Difficult
Starting point in Keswick - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting and finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way there are 10 Wainwrights, 1 lake, 3 tarns and a ferry.
13.24km
+628m
-612m
5h35
Easy
Starting point in Keswick - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting and finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way there are 3 Wainwrights,a ferry and 1 pub.
16.91km
+584m
-583m
6h30
Moderate
Starting point in Borrowdale - Cumbria This is a circular walk around High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells. The scenery is good and the walk is made interesting by the old mine workings, both on the way up and also at Goldscope Mine. The return leg, through the woods above Derwent Water, is a nice contrast to the first half of the walk.
It is a useful walk when the tops are in mist and walking the ridge would give you no views or when the tops are covered in snow and you don't have ice axe and crampons to hand.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
