1 Lake District

Hindscarth & Robinson

Not-the-Newlands: this less-frequented way to bag Lakeland’s Hindscarth and Robinson is as good as the classic horseshoe.

MOUNTAIN HORSESHOE

DIFFICULTY MEDIUM

DISTANCE 10.9KM

TIME 4½ HOURS

TOTAL ASCENT 789M

PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTS 2

The classic Newlands Horseshoe – ahigh-level circuit of Newlands Beck via several summits including Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head and others – has a reputation as one of Lakeland’s most scenic walks. But sadly this route often ruins the allure of Hindscarth and Robinson. Depending on the exact route taken, hikers may reduce Hindscarth to a boring out-and-back, or miss it out altogether, or opt to descend Hindscarth and thus miss out Robinson. It’s a travesty, because these two fells should always be climbed together.

Hindscarth and Robinson are a duo – two fells with an everlasting close connection.

Alfred Wainwright labelled them “twins” which “go hand-in-hand down to Newlands”. Together they form a neat horseshoe, with parallel ridges sweeping gracefully north-east to meet in the valley, between them the upland hollow of Little Dale and the col of Littledale Edge forever connecting the two mountains. So instead why not ditch the much-loved Newlands Horseshoe in favour of this lesser-known route? The glorious ascent of Hindscarth via Scope End and the dramatic descent of Robinson by Blea Crags and High Snab Bank serve up similarly thrilling ridge walk – and, most of all, it just feels right to visit the twins together.

1 NY231193 From the small car park, cross the bridge over Newlands Beck and turn left on the minor road towards Newlands Church. But just before reaching the quaint white church, turn left to head south down a track leading to Low Snab Farm. Cross a stream and a cattle grid and continue on what has now become a concreted drive to the white farm buildings. Pass through the farm buildings to reach a gate.

2 NY229186 Go through the gate and bear right towards spoil heaps. Turn right again to ascend north towards the nose of the ridge, following a fence. Veer north-west and, where the fence becomes a drystone wall, turn left to climb steeply south-west. Ascend the ridge on a good, clear path and negotiate an easy section of rocky scrambling (with neither difficulty nor exposure) to arrive at the top of Scope End.

3 NY224183 Continue to climb south-west on the narrow ridge, which