Newlands Trio

[johnkaysleftleg]

Little Town is a wonderful place to walk from, hidden away in the stunning Newlands Valley, the prospect on offer is so tempting in almost every direction of the compass. In fact the only problem with Little Town is actually getting parked. We turned up just after 10 O’Clock and managed to nab one of the two remaining places. Within minutes three more cars turned up, a close call but it seemed that lady luck as well as the sun was going to shine on us today.

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The walk starts in easy fashion up the road to High Snab. The beautiful Newlands Church is passed before the farms are reached and the road becomes a track.
Before the ascent up the side of High Snab Bank is reached we came across a friendly horse strangely beyond the gate to the open fell side. We said hello and left the forlorn looking animal behind before starting up the steep lung busting climb through the bracken onto the ridge.

Newlands Church

Scope End and Robinson

Looking back towards the Newlands Valley

A friendly horse

On a morning like this it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic place in the world than right here right now. The ridge stretching temptingly ahead, Scope Beck glistening in the valley below, slightly hazy views towards the Newlands Valley and beyond it was all so perfect and pristine.

Robinson

Little Dale with Newlands beyond

The three rock steps

Looking back along High Snab Bank

After an undulating kilometre or so AW’s three rock steps are reached. They make for a simple, enjoyable but all too brief scramble. It’s a pity there aren’t ten rock steps but it’s still a nice walk up to the top. As with all good summits new views open up as you make the highest point. The view South was a bit hazy but all the main fells were still clearly visible. It was also nice to see one of my favourite views, down Buttermere and Crummock Water from a slightly different angle.

Grace reaching the top of the rock steps

South from Robinson

Looking West from Robinson

Rannerdale Knotts

We had lunch and set off down Littledale edge towards the mid point of the ridge. It’s a fair descent and re-ascent before the next target comes into view but worth it as Dale Head makes a fine sight with impressive bulk and precipitous crags. The best thing about Dale Head however is its view down the perfect glacial valley of Newlands. We lingered for a while drinking it all in before retracing our steps towards Hindscarth.

Littledale Edge with High Stile beyond

Dale Head

Newlands Valley

Across Honister Pass

Hindscarth

Newlands Valley from Dale Head

As with its sibling Robinson, Hindscarth’s best feature is its North East Ridge. The summit bagged and the initial descent towards High Crags completed the route travels through what must be, this time of year especially, the most beautiful mile in Lakeland.

Oh why didn't I take my hat off

Way ahead towards Scope End

The thin path undulates its way through the flowering heather, at times clinging by its fingertips to the edge of the ridge. The Views ahead of the Newlands Valley are also fantastic. Amazingly we saw nobody else on the ridge till we were almost back to the car so it was all ours.

Looking across to Robinson

All too soon Scope End is reached and you drop steeply over rocky terrain towards Low Snab farm and the track back to the car.

Scope End

Skiddaw and Blencathra beyond Newlands

This route is a truly magnificent day out that possibly beats the traditional Newlands Round thanks to the blissful descent from Hindscarth. Life dosn’t get much better than this.

[ChrisW]

Now that is what a day in the lakes should be like (though maybe with a bit more parking ) I would find it difficult to disagree with your statements on the stunning beauty of this hike JK, it really does look like the perfect day. Great report and stunning pics

[garyhortop]

Great Day out JK with some amazing photo's there as well!! Shame about the Hat!!

[johnkaysleftleg]

Now that is what a day in the lakes should be like (though maybe with a bit more parking ) I would find it difficult to disagree with your statements on the stunning beauty of this hike JK, it really does look like the perfect day. Great report and stunning pics

Many thanks Chris it was indeed perfect.

Great Day out JK with some amazing photo's there as well!! Shame about the Hat!!

Just about every time we get a family pic I forget to take it off and end up looking like a village idiot.

[SusieThePensioner]

What a wonderful day, John, lovely walk Great photos with great views
I'll ignore the hat, we know what you look like
I first walked up Robinson etc. in 1960 (!!!!!!!) on our very first trip to the Lakes. We went by bus and got off near Littletown

[johnkaysleftleg]

What a wonderful day, John, lovely walk Great photos with great views
I'll ignore the hat, we know what you look like
I first walked up Robinson etc. in 1960 (!!!!!!!) on our very first trip to the Lakes. We went by bus and got off near Littletown

Thanks Susie I bet the paths were a bit less eroded back then. As for getting the bus to Little Town, I assume it was a little'un because that bridge is seriously narrow.