Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn up Dale Head: route map, distance and time
754 m · Cumbria
Dale Head is the highest point of the Newlands Horseshoe, with a summit cairn looking down the Newlands valley and a short climb from Honister Pass.
Walk up the Newlands valley past old mine workings, climb to Dalehead Tarn and finish up the eastern ridge.
Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 5.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 618 m |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Little Town / Chapel Bridge, Newlands |
| Start grid reference | NY 229 193 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 222 153 |
Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 0m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 13:53 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:51 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Dale Head summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Dale Head right now. The main Dale Head page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Dale Head forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Dale Head
Dale Head is the highest point of the Newlands Horseshoe, with a summit cairn looking down the Newlands valley and a short climb from Honister Pass. More about Dale Head, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Hindscarth (727 m), 1.4 km north-west
- High Spy (653 m), 1.4 km north-east
- Honister Crag (634 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Fleetwith Pike (649 m), 2 km south-west
- High Spy North Top (634 m), 2.3 km north-east
- Robinson (738 m), 2.6 km north-west
Challenges that include Dale Head
Other routes up Dale Head
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honister Pass | 3.4 km one way | 577 m | 1h 40m | Moderate |
| Honister via Dale Head ridge | 1.9 km one way | 400 m | 1h 5m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 229 193, the summit at NY 222 153), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn?
Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn is 5.6 km one way to the summit of Dale Head, with 618 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.2 km.
How long does Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Dale Head and 3h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn?
Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn starts from Little Town / Chapel Bridge, Newlands. The grid reference is NY 229 193.
Is Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn today?
By 13:53 at the latest. Sunset on Dale Head today is 18:08, Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn takes about 3h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Little Town via Newlands and Dalehead Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).