The Gutherscale and Dale Head walk in the Lake District

South to Cat Bells via Skelgill Bank, then south-west across Maiden Moor to the summit of High Spy. Further south down to Dalehead Tarn, before heading west by way of a steep climb to the top of Dale Head and across Hindscarth Edge. North to Hindscarth followed by a north-east descent to Little Town. Back to the starting point along the minor road past Stair and Skelgill. An 11-mile walk in the Lake District.

---

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 view over Derwent Water from Skelgill Bank on a misty but very atmospheric Sunday morning.

---

Enjoying the views soon after the start of the walk.

---

Mike and I, with Derwent Water in the background.

---

Looking towards the southern end of Derwent Water from Skelgill Bank.

---

The top of Cat Bells comes into view. The fog would hang over higher ground for the rest of the day.

---

One of many instances where extra care was needed on the wet slippery rocks.

---

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

---

The view east towards Lodore Falls Hotel nestled below Ashness Fell.

---

The summit of High Spy, height 653 metres, 2142 feet.

---

Mike, Jamie and Mick look north down into the Newlands valley, whilst Nick contemplates our impending climb to the top of Dale Head.

---

Dalehead Tarn.

---

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

---

The descent from Hindscarth to Little Town via High Craggs and Scope End.