Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn up High Spy: route map, distance and time
653 m · Cumbria
High Spy is a 653m fell on the ridge between Borrowdale and Newlands, a Wainwright and Hewitt with a tall summit cairn above the cliffs of Eel Crags.
A path climbs past the Rigghead quarries to the col by Dalehead Tarn, then north up the ridge.
Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn at a glance
| Distance | 4.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 586 m |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Rosthwaite, Borrowdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 257 147 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 234 162 |
Rosthwaite via 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
Near the start
- The Langstrath Inn1.3 km
- The Yew Tree Pub1.6 km
- The Flock-in0.0 km
- Borrowdale YHA0.6 km
- Peathouse Tea & Coffee Shop1.2 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Chapel House Farm Campsite0.8 km
- National Trust Campsite1.8 km
- Seatoller Farm1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 35m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:10 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:08 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Spy summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for High Spy right now. The main High Spy page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live High Spy forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About High Spy
High Spy is a 653m fell on the ridge between Borrowdale and Newlands, a Wainwright and Hewitt with a tall summit cairn above the cliffs of Eel Crags. More about High Spy, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Spy North Top (634 m), 0.9 km north
- Dale Head (754 m), 1.4 km south-west
- Hindscarth (727 m), 1.9 km west
- Maiden Moor (575 m), 2 km north
- Honister Crag (634 m), 3 km south-west
Challenges that include High Spy
More walks from Rosthwaite, Borrowdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Allen Crags
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Glaramara
- Rosthwaite via the Watendlath path up Grange Fell
- Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up High Raise
- Rosthwaite via Greenup Gill and Greenup Edge up Sergeant Man
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Rosthwaite Fell
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Looking Steads
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up Red Beck Top
- Rosthwaite and the Glaramara ridge up High House Tarn Top
Other routes up High Spy
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grange via Maiden Moor | 5.8 km one way | 589 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 257 147, the summit at NY 234 162), 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.
Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn: questions and answers
How far is Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn?
Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn is 4.8 km one way to the summit of High Spy, with 586 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.6 km.
How long does Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of High Spy and 2h 55m 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 3h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn?
Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn starts from Rosthwaite, Borrowdale. The grid reference is NY 257 147.
Is Rosthwaite via 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 Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn today?
By 14:10 at the latest. Sunset on High Spy today is 18:05, Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn takes about 2h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Rosthwaite via Dalehead Tarn?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).