Catbells, Maiden Moor, Dale Head and Hindscarth from Lingholm

The route

This 19.6 km horseshoe rings the eastern side of the Newlands valley from the Lingholm estate on Derwentwater's western shore. It is a true Wainwright collector's round, linking five summits along one continuous skyline: Catbells (451 m), Maiden Moor (576 m), High Spy (653 m), Dale Head (753 m) and Hindscarth (727 m). The recorded ascent understates the real climbing, which feels closer to a thousand metres once you are on the tops, so treat this as a committing mountain day.

From Lingholm you pick up the Catbells north ridge and take the short rocky climb to its summit, with Derwentwater spread out behind. From here the route stays high, rolling south west along the broad ridge over Maiden Moor and on to High Spy, with the Newlands valley dropping away to the west and Borrowdale to the east.

The high ground

The pull onto Dale Head at 753 m is the high point and the finest summit of the day, its cairn perched right above the plunging head of the valley. The view north along the whole ridge you have just run, back to Catbells with Skiddaw beyond, is the reward for the climb. A short drop and rise then gains Hindscarth, the last of the five, on its northern spur.

The descent

Off Hindscarth the route follows the Scope End ridge down towards the valley floor, steep and stony in places, before easy lower paths carry you back through Newlands to Lingholm. The contrast between the airy ridge and the gentle green return is part of the appeal.

Why it works

It is one of the best ridge rounds in the northern Lakes, banking five Wainwrights in a single flowing skyline. Carry food, water and full kit, and be ready to navigate if cloud rolls in over the tops. Strong runners can extend the line on to Robinson or down into Borrowdale, but even as described it is a full mountain outing that rewards an early start, good legs and a careful eye on the weather.