Dale Head and Robinson from Honister Hause


Outline of Route
Honister Hause - Dale Head - Hindscarth - Robinson - Dale Head - Honister Hause (Grid ref. NY 225135)
Total Distance 6.5 miles, Total Ascent 2700 feet, Equivalent Distance 11.9 miles

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Escape Routes

  1. None. Just turn round and come back whenever you like.

Details of Route
One of the easiest ways to climb a fell of about 2,500 feet is to start from half-way up. The trouble with starting from the top of any of the Lakeland passes is continuing the route without dropping down to low level and having to climb the pass at the end of the day, or returning the way you came. This route at least allows visits to three significant peaks.

There is a car park at Honister Hause. Leave by the gate to the left of the Youth Hostel, cross the road, and follow the footpath by the fence up the fellside to the summit of Dale Head. There is nothing of great interest on this ascent and it's an ideal opportunity to let one's mind wander for a while. It has always been in this frame of mind that I've reached the top, which has helped lend to my astonishment when it's been reached. After looking at the grassy bank for close on an hour, within a few strides, one is presented with an utterly breathtaking view of the Newlands valley photo and Miners Crag to the right photo. If you can take your eyes off it you'll notice a fine Lakeland panorama in all directions photo.

Head west down the ridge towards Hindscarth. It is fairly narrow and soon presents excellent views down on Honister pass 1,500 feet below. Bear right, once the ascent is reached and where the view of the High Stile ridge photo is excellent, along the well-worn path to Hindscarth's summit where there are fine views of Newlands, to the north photo, and the Coledale fells to the northwest photo. It is worth going down to the northern cairn for a great northern panorama photo.

Head back to the southern end of the summit ridge. The southwestern skyline is excellent here, from the High Stile ridge, via Steeple in profile, Pillar, Kirkfell and Gable. The two/three distant peaks between Kirkfell and Pillar are Whin Rigg, the summit of Yewbarrow and Stirrup Crag photo. Bear right for the clear path down to Littledale Edge and the subsequent steep 500 foot ascent to the long, flattish summit of Robinson. Look back for a magnificent view towards Glaramara, Great Gable, Kirkfell, etc. photo. From the southern end of the summit Crummock Water is seen photo. Further north the view towards Grasmoor is impressive photo. From the northern end one can look down High Snab Bank to Newlands and beyond photo 1 photo 2. From here retrace your steps along Littledale Edge and Hindscarth Edge to Dale Head and the descent to the car park at Honister.

Rev. 02 September 2014


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