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A. Wainwright
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The Newlands Horseshoe is a wonderful ridge walk taking in six great summits and some amazing scenery, particularly the view from the summit of Dale Head, the highest point of the round. Although a long day the route can be adapted to suit any group with several alternative descent routes. Why not let our experienced leaders show you some of the beauty of our local mountains. |
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Dale Head stands at the junction of the two main Lakeland geological systems, the Skiddaw slates to the north and the Borrowdale Volcanics to the south. On the northern flanks are outcrops of the Buttermere Formation, olistostrome of disrupted sheared mudstone, siltstone and sandstone. Southward march the Borrowdale series beginning with the plagioclase-phyric andesite lavas of the Birker Fell Formation, visible near the summit. The fell has seen extensive mining history. Dale Head Mine was driven below the northern crags for copper, several levels still being visible. Long Work was another copper mine a little further down the valley, worked for malachite and pyrite from Elizabethan times. On the southern flank of the fell, centred around the head of the pass, are the Honister Quarries. These are an extensive system of underground quarries, worked for Green Slate. The earliest extant records date from 1728 and since then huge caverns have been carved out on either side of the pass. The Yew Crag workings on the Dale Head side were operated until 1966, operations on the slopes of Grey Knotts continuing. In 1887 work began to drive a tunnel right under Dale Head into Newlands Valley, connecting with a proposed tramway to join the railway at Keswick. The scheme was abandoned after opposition from landowners. The main workers accommodation at the mine is now the Honister Hause Youth Hostel. |
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Although a long walk this route can be adapted to make a shorter route by descending from the ridge at various points. The ridge continues over Hindscarth to the summit of Dale Head, the highest peak of the ridge, with spectacular views north down into the Newlands Valley and across to Skiddaw. A steep descent on a good path brings us to Dale Head Tarn where we will begin to climb again to the summit of High Spy and the wonderful ridge north over Maiden Moor to Catbells, here we will descend past the old mine workings to the Newlands Valley and Little Town. Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above. |
