Newlands Horseshoe (11 Miles) - 10 Hours
After a "rest" day on Thursday visiting Ambleside, Hawkshead and Coniston, we planned a longer walk on Friday choosing the Newlands Horseshoe from Hawse End taking in the 5 Wainwright fells Cat Bells (1480ft), Maiden Moor (1890ft), High Spy (2067ft), Dale Head(2470ft) and Hindscarth (2385ft).
An early start we woke just after 05:30, leaving Portinscale just after 07:15 for the very short drive a few miles further along Derwent water to Hawse End. The parking is free, but very limited with room for maybe 7 or 8 vehicles. However, that early in the morning, no problem.
Even at the early hour of 07:30, the day began warm and bright, and we set off heading up the popular and well used path up Cat Bells (we were on our own today though!).
The views over the lake were spectacular in the early morning light and the still calm on the leak with no boats this early. The sun piercing through the clouds illuminating the lake with reflections. It really was that beautiful, only a soft graduated filter used to tone down the brighter sky.
The shots were taken from fairly low level about half-way up the first path up Cat Bells.
Cat Bells is often described as an easy "family fell", but there are easier to be honest. Its not difficult but has an initial ascending path, followed by a level stretch before ascending more steeply to the summit with a small scramble in the middle (OK an easy scramble, but its there!)
The name Catbells originates from "bell-shaped hill frequented by wild cats".
We had been up Cat Bells on a previous trip a couple of years ago, setting off later and sharing the summit with many others. Today we were alone, and enjoyed the solitude and the views. The shot above from the summit (1480ft) looks back over the path we had walked (the level section) and Derwentwater and other fells in the distance. (Skiddaw/Blencathra ranges)
After a short rest we headed over Cat Bells, descending slightly and following the wide ridge line across to Maiden Moor, ascending slowly to 1890ft. The main path diverts away from the actual summit, so a short diversion right is required near to the edge looking down into the valley.
Joining back with the main path at narrow moor, the ridge line narrows leading up to a long, steady ascent up to High Spy (2142ft). The final ascent up to the cairn is steeper after a final dip down..... it did seem that the actual cairn was never going to appear!
The very distinct cairn of High Spy (2142ft) with good views all around.
Though the day looks cloudy, it was very still with virtually no wind at all, even above 2000ft. Very warm on the hillier ascents!
The view down the Newlands valley was spectacular, particularly when the sun pierced through the cloud, illuminating the valley floor.
From High Spy there followed a considerable drop down (though fairly steady, we dropped the best part of 700ft to Dale Head Tarn). By now we were meeting plenty of other walkers, most coming from the opposite direction. Not sure if we were doing the round the "wrong" way or whether the other walkers were on a different walk from us! Eventually we arrived at the tarn, rested, tested the water temperature (quite cold), and looked up ahead to the steep path to Dale Head! (Sorry no picture, we were too deep in thought contemplating what looked like an horrendous ascent up a very steep and rocky path).
It turned out, it was not that bad, tiring and slow progress, but not as bad as it looked. I went on ahead and took a few shots just below Dale Head (the path flattened after the main ascent, then there was still more to go to the summit, but less steep).
Once we finally reached the summit of Dale Head (2470ft), we rested again, and enjoyed the views down to the valley and in the other direction to Buttermere.
The view coming down from Dale Head, looking over Buttermere.
The view looking back to the path coming off Dale Head approaching Hindscarth Edge
An easy path off, before turning towards Keswick to follow the other side of the horseshoe back and a short ascent up and over Hindscarth (2385ft).
Susan celebrating completing the 5 Wainwrights, but we still had much to do to get down and back having only completed around 7 miles at this point.
Up and over Hindscarth, and the view ahead of the ridge line we had to follow. The path was rocky, narrow and near the edge in many places. In several places large rocks had to be negotiated in the line of the path, and even ducking and sliding beneath a rocky slab.
Thr path then descended.... fairly steeply, and was very rocky making progress very slow.
By now we were both getting tired, and the heat of the day seemed even warmer and more humid. The path appeared to go on forever and did not let up in its snaking, torturous, rocky, assault down. The pictures do not really show this. We have completed over 50 Wainwrights now, and this is the worst path down we have encountered so far, not particularly the steepness but its relentless rocky, tedious manner. This part was not enjoyable, and I cannot see how anyone could possibly procure any enjoyment from such a tedious path.
Eventually an end to it was in sight, and we finally arrived down at near Sea Level again.
The final 2.5 miles was mainly along narrow lanes and was virtually flat. The shot above shows the ridge we had descended down to the white farm buildings. We were hot, tired, and by now just wanted to finish to be honest. Even though the going was now easy the car park was a very welcome sight, and we arrived back at Hawse End around 17:15. (A long day, for us!).
A well earned Beer, Bath and food followed.
Our Walk Score: 8/10
(The score would be higher as the views were tremendous, but the descent spoilt the experience, as it was very tedious indeed)
