Route: Dale Head and Robinson
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 29th August 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.1 miles
Ascent: 2,200 feet
Weather: Cloudy
Dale Head commands a wonderful view of the Newlands Valley, and an easy way of enjoying that view is to park at the top of the Honister Pass – which is what we did today. After leaving the National Trust car park and crossing the road, the path leading to the summit starts immediately. The fell stands at a respectable height of 2,473 feet but by virtue of starting from Honister we only had 1,300 feet to climb. It was easy going and after about 1 hour we arrived at the shapely summit cairn and the magnificent view from it
We then walked along Hindscarth Edge, enjoying more good views along the way, before reaching the path to Hindscarth. For anyone looking to tick off Wainwrights it would be an easy 10 minute ‘there and back’ stroll to the top of Hindscarth, but we’ve been here before and the weather was indifferent so we gave it a miss today and continued along Littledale Edge
A simple ascent took us to the summit of Robinson and from here we descended across Buttermere Moss, a rather dreary and very squelchy area where wet feet are guaranteed whatever the weather. From here we descended into Buttermere village
As this was a linear walk, we’d already planned to catch the Honister Rambler bus back up to Honister. We had about an hour to wait until the next bus, and the time was gainfully employed in the excellent Bridge Hotel. The bus arrived on schedule and took us back to the start of an enjoyable walk. If anyone thinks that it’s cheating to start a fell walk from an altitude of 1,190 feet then it is of course possible to reverse the direction of travel described here
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel this morning - they've started burying hazelnuts around the garden in readiness for winter, and I often wonder if they remember where they've cached them
Honister Hause at 1,190 feet, and we cross the road to start our climb
Looking back down to the Honister Slate Mine
Honister Crag
The fence makes a perfect guide to the top
Herdies
Looking back...
We know what's in store as we reach the summit cairn on Dale Head...
...this - the magnificent view along Newlands, with Skiddaw in the distance
Blencathra beyond High Spy
The ridge leading from Catbells
We descend from Dale Head to follow the path along Hindscarth Edge
More views along Newlands as we progress
...and on our left Buttermere comes into view
Our next objective, Robinson, in the distance
Looking back to Dale Head
Our start point at Honister Hause comes into view
Buttermere, and heather on the flanks of Robinson
Littledale Edge leading up to Robinson
Comb Beck waterfall on the far side of Buttermere
The Honister Pass
Fleetwith Edge
Honister Hause again
A view back to Dale Head
...and to Honister Hause
Crummock Water and Loweswater from the summit of Robinson
We start the descent from Robinson, with Sourmilk Gill in the background
We have to cross the soggy morass which is Buttermere Moss - not a pleasant section of the walk
Red Pike
Rannerdale Knotts on the right
Buttermere
Buttermere village below
Sail Beck
Descending from High Snockrigg
We arrive back to valley level - St James' Church Buttermere, where there is a memorial to Alfred Wainwright
The end of today's walk
The weather had been gloomy and dull for the most part, but later on there was a surprisingly good sunset in nearby Lorton Vale...
