Newlands Horseshoe: Premier Walking Route in the Lake District

A Guide to Completing Five Wainwright Fells on the Newlands Horseshoe Walk

Begin your Newlands Horseshoe walk at Little Town, nestled in the Newlands Beck valley of the Lake District. Locate the car park adjacent to Chapel Bridge, on the hamlet’s south-west side. From here, cross the bridge and proceed west towards Newlands Church. Continue briefly along the road before heading south-east across the fields on a public footpath towards Low Snab, marking the start of your ascent.

Ascend towards Scope End, climbing further to reach High Crags. Traverse the ridge, continuing your upward journey to the summit of Hindscarth. Next, head south to find the path leading east along Hindscarth Edge, guiding you to Dale Head, the pinnacle of the Newlands Horseshoe.

Begin your descent on Dale Head’s steep eastern slopes, making your way to Dalehead Tarn. Cross Newlands Beck, then navigate north, ascending to High Spy’s summit. Proceed northward across Maiden Moor, sticking to the well-marked ridge path before descending to Cat Bells’ peak.

Advance a bit further north along the path towards Skelgill Bank. Here, look westward down the grassy slopes to spot unmarked but visible paths. Choose one to descend into the valley, eventually joining the track that veers south and then west, skirting the steep slopes back to Little Town.

This splendid Lake District horseshoe walk spans approximately 9½ miles and guarantees an unforgettable experience. The panoramic views encountered throughout this trek are truly spectacular, making for a rewarding exploration of the Newlands Horseshoe.

The Newlands Horseshoe can be navigated in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The route detailed on this page follows the anti-clockwise path, commencing from Little Town. My website features another Newlands Horseshoe walk, which takes a clockwise approach, is about a mile longer, and starts from Gutherscale, located just north-east of Skelgill.

The Newlands Horseshoe: Distance, Duration, Statistics

About the Newlands Horseshoe

The Newlands Horseshoe walk in the Lake District is a celebrated circular trail, acclaimed for its comprehensive route around the principal peaks of the Newlands Beck valley. Specifically designed for those seeking a rewarding ridge-walking experience, it showcases stunning views and offers a spirited challenge. Recognised as an iconic among the Lake District’s horseshoe circuits, it ranks alongside distinguished paths like the Coledale Horseshoe and the Kentmere Horseshoe.

Walkers have the flexibility to traverse the Newlands Horseshoe in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The journey described here adopts the anti-clockwise route starting at Little Town. Opting for a clockwise path, conversely, adds approximately a mile, beginning from Gutherscale. The walk’s adaptability is further highlighted by the option to extend the adventure with the inclusion of Robinson’s summit.

Ideally suited for both seasoned trekkers and those new to exploring, the Newlands Horseshoe promises a memorable expedition through some of the most captivating landscapes the Lake District has to offer, truly embodying the area’s majestic allure.

Recommended Ordnance Survey Map

The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Lake District North-Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL4, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.

The Newlands Horseshoe: My Photos

Grade 2 listed, 16th-century Newlands Church just outside the hamlet of Little Town. Attached to the church is a former school. The plaques on the wall read as follows:

NEWLANDS SCHOOL
BUILT BY THE PARISHIONERS
1877, CLOSED 1967
THIS STONE WAS PLACED HERE
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
DOROTHEA POTTS
HEADMISTRESS
1943-1962

NEWLANDS SCHOOL
RESTORED 2000
AND DEDICATED AS A PLACE FOR
QUIET AND REFLECTION BY
IAN, LORD BISHOP OF CARLISLE
ON 9TH APRIL 2000

The view from Low Snab north through the Newlands valley towards the Skiddaw mountain range.

Causey Pike with its distinctive cone-shaped top as seen during the ascent of Scope End.

Looking west towards Sail, Crag Hill and Wandope, the three high points on the horizon, centre of picture.

The view of Hindscarth (centre) and Dale Head (left) from Scope End.

Heading towards High Crags, with Robinson on the right and Hindscarth on the left.

The steep, craggy, west-facing slopes of the High Spy / Maiden Moor ridge.

Looking back at High Crags and Scope End, with the Skiddaw and Blencathra mountain ranges in the distance.

The summit of Hindscarth, height 727 metres (2385 feet). This is roughly one-third of the way round the Newlands Horseshoe.

Buttermere comes into view as I join the Littledale Edge / Hindscarth Edge footpath. The lake is backed by the three high points of Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag.

The Newlands valley as seen from Dale Head.

The summit cairn of Dale Head, height 753 metres (2470 feet).

Dalehead Tarn. The tarn is the halfway point of this Newlands Horseshoe walk.

The upper course of Newlands Beck near Dalehead Tarn.

The view of Hindscarth Crags from the southern flanks of High Spy. The deep cut in the rocky landscape (on the left in both pictures) has been created by Far Tongue Gill, a tributary of Newlands Beck.

The summit cairn of High Spy, height 653 metres (2142 feet). High Spy is approximately two-thirds of the way round this Newlands Horseshoe walk.

Derwent Water is visible from the footpath across High Spy, but it’s worth briefly leaving the path as there are better views from Minum Crag on the eastern slopes of the mountain.

The view east from Minum Crag towards the Helvellyn mountain range in the distance on the horizon.

Cairn between High Spy and Maiden Moor, about 150 metres to the east of the main path.

The well-used route across Maiden Moor, and the first view of Bassenthwaite Lake.

The Newlands valley and many of the Lake District north-western fells, including Whiteless Pike, Wandope, Crag Hill, Sail, Causey Pike, Ard Crags and Knott Rigg.

Derwent Water (right) and Bassenthwaite Lake (left) in one view.

The full extent of Derwent Water. Keswick is situated on its northern shores with Skiddaw and Blencathra in the background.

The summit of Cat Bells, height 451 metres (1480 feet).

Looking north from Skelgill Bank towards Swinside (the tree-covered hill) and Bassenthwaite Lake.

The Newlands valley viewed from Skelgill Bank. Descend these grassy slopes and head back to Little Town to complete the Newlands Horseshoe.