Hindscarth, Lake District
The best way to experience Forget the Newlands Horseshoe, and opt for this delightful ridge-walk instead.
Hindscarth and Robinson are a duo – two fells with an everlasting close connection. Alfred Wainwright labelled them “twins” that “go hand-inhand 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 connecting the two mountains. Think of Hindscarth and you should immediately think of Robinson. But, strangely and sadly, this partnership seems to have been lost in the minds of fellwalkers. Why? Because of the trend to hike the Newlands Horseshoe. Depending on the exact route taken, hikers may reduce Hindscarth to merely an outand-back, or miss it out altogether, or opt to descend Hindscarth and thus avoid Robinson. Either way, the pair are often not walked together – which, in my mind, is a pity. So why not try 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-walking – and, most of all, it just feels right to visit the ‘twins’ together.
NY231193 From the 1 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.
NY229186 2 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, neither difficult nor exposed, to the top of Scope End.
NY224183 Continue 3 to climb south-west on the narrow ridge, which has a clear trod, to Red Knott and High Crags, before veering south on an all-toobrief flatter section to the base of the Hindscarth climb. Ascend the steep, wider path ahead to reach a prominent wind shelter cairn on the edge of Hindscarth. Beyond is flatter terrain and a gentle climb to the 727m summit of Hindscarth.
NY215165 Descend 4 south on the shoulder for 300m and veer south-west then west on a narrow path that cuts a corner, dropping down to the col at Littledale Edge.
Ascend gently by a fence, sticking safely to the right of the precipitous Robinson Crag and Hackney Holes, before turning north to climb easily to the 737m top of Robinson, the highest point of this route.
NY201168 Descend 5 north-east for 900m on a relatively clear path. Ignore the footpath descending east to Scope Beck and instead aim for the narrowing, dramatic ridge of Blea Crags to complete the high-level horseshoe. The descent includes small sections of scrambling over craggy steps that may require you to use your hands, but no major challenges are presented. Continue north-north-east along High Snab Bank towards the end of the ridge.
NY217187 Turn right 6 to descend east on a steep, grassy line through bracken and gorse. The steep path, which runs next to a small plantation, arrives at a wider track. Turn left aiming north-east, go through two gates and emerge at the cottages at the contradictorily named Low High Snab. Continue north-east and then east along the road to Newlands Church before turning right, crossing Chapel Bridge and arriving back at the car park.