Robinson, Dale Head, High Spy and Catbells from Lingholm
Five Wainwrights in one flowing 20.9km round, finishing along the famous Catbells ridge with Derwentwater spread out below and a celebrated cafe at the start and finish.
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Mostly runnable, with some steep sections you'll likely walk.
A 20.9km high horseshoe from Lingholm near Keswick taking in five Lake District Wainwrights: Robinson, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor and Catbells, ringing the Newlands valley above Derwentwater.
Five Wainwrights in one flowing 20.9km round, finishing along the famous Catbells ridge with Derwentwater spread out below and a celebrated cafe at the start and finish.
The route
This 20.9km horseshoe is one of the great Lake District rounds, climbing from Lingholm on the shore of Derwentwater to trace the skyline ringing the Newlands valley. From the cafe the route works up onto Robinson at 737m, the highest point of the day, before the airy traverse to Dale Head at 753m with its commanding view straight down Newlands to Skiddaw.
Five Wainwrights
Every summit on this round is a Lake District Wainwright, one of the 214 fells described in Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guides. From Dale Head the ridge curves north over High Spy at 653m, then on across Maiden Moor and finally to the much-loved little summit of Catbells at 451m. Maiden Moor is easy to overlook but the track crosses its top, so it counts as the fifth Wainwright of the day. The Catbells ridge gives a thrilling, rocky finish high above the lake before the descent back to Lingholm.
Why it works
This is a complete mountain day with around 1175m of ascent, blending genuine high fell on Robinson and Dale Head with the popular, photogenic ridge of Catbells. The Newlands skyline keeps you high and exposed for long stretches, so the running is committing despite the modest distance. Catbells in particular is busy and its rocky steps demand care. Pick a clear day for the views and the navigation, carry full kit, and finish with cake at Lingholm, the walled garden that inspired Beatrix Potter.
Getting there
Lingholm sits just outside Portinscale, a short distance from Keswick by road, bus or the lakeside path. For a different start you can cross Derwentwater on the launch and join the ridge at the Catbells landing. However you arrive, this is committing mountain ground, so check the forecast, carry full kit, and be ready to shorten the round at Catbells if the weather closes in on the higher fells.
Sustained exposure on high fells with steep, rocky descents off Dale Head and along Catbells, where the polished steps are slippery and busy. Navigation is serious in cloud and the tops are fully exposed to weather.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
Run by us· last checked July 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
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