1. The EASTERN FELLS
2. The FAR EASTERN
    FELLS
3. The CENTRAL FELLS
4. The SOUTHERN FELLS
5. The NORTHERN FELLS
6. The NORTH WESTERN
    FELLS
7. The WESTERN FELLS

The North Western Fells • 3

THE FELLS IN THIS AREA: ARD CRAGS • BARF • BARROW • BROOM FELL • CASTLE CRAG • CATBELLS • CAUSEY PIKE • DALE HEAD • EEL CRAG (Crag Hill)  • GRASMOOR • GRAYSTONES • GRISEDALE PIKE • HIGH SPY • HINDSCARTH • HOPEGILL HEAD • KNOTT RIGG • LING FELL • LORD'S SEAT • MAIDEN MOOR • OUTERSIDE • RANNERDALE KNOTTS • ROBINSON • SAIL • SALE FELL • SCAR CRAGS • WANDOPE • WHINLATTER • WHITELESS PIKE • WHITESIDE

HIGH SPY
Height: 2143', (653m)
Grid Ref: NY 234162

The summit of High Spy

HINDSCARTH
Height: 2385', (727m)
Grid Ref: NY 216165

Hindscarth forms a long spur which merges at right angles with the high level ridge connecting Dale Head with Robinson. The summit of the fell is located about half a mile from this main ridge, though the short detour involved in reaching it involves little loss of height or reascent.

Though the Dale Head - Robinson ridge is the most convenient approach to Hindscarth, the finest ascent is from the Newlands valley. This route climbs steeply at first to reach the minor top of Scope End, which looks particularly impressive from the Newlands valley, appearing as a perfect pyramid. From Scope End, a prominent cairn seen far ahead appears to be the summit, but upon reaching it turns out to be a little lower than the highest point. This large circular cairn, hollowed into a shelter, is marked as an antiquity on older maps, and the views from here are considered to be finer than those from the actual summit, a couple of hundred yards further on.

Hindscarth is the only Lakeland fell that was ever mined for gold, the Goldscope Mine on its lower slopes having a history that stretches back over six hundred years, making it one of the oldest in the district. In the 16th Century the mine, which also produced copper, lead and silver, was considered important enough by Queen Elizabeth I to requisition for the Crown. The then owner, the Earl of Northumberland, was not too happy about this and mounted an armed rebellion, which was put down. Predictably, he lost his head. (There are no trace of gold to be found amongst the spoil heaps on the surface - Wainwright claims to have checked thoroughly without success. Needless to say, exploration into the levels is dangerous).

HOPEGILL HEAD
Height: 2525', (770m)
Grid Ref: NY 186222

Hopegill Head is usually climbed as part of the Coledale Horseshoe, though the finest approach is probably from the Whinlatter Pass in the north. This route crosses the minor summit of Ladyside Pike (2306', NY 185227), which was wasn't included as a separate fell in the Wainwright guides. However, it is a fine summit, and the approach to Hopegill Head from here involes an easy scramble over naked rock.

Below the summit of Hopegill Head, the steep Hobcarton Crags fall into a corrie which is very rarely visited as the valley is essentially a dead end. It's not a bad place to wild camp, though it g may be a bit grim and forbidding for some people.

KNOTT RIGG
Height: 1824', (556m)
Grid Ref: NY 197189

LING FELL
Height: 1224', (373m)
Grid Ref: NY 180286

LORD'S SEAT
Height: 1811', (552m)
Grid Ref: NY 204266

Lord's Seat is the highest of the fells which rise north of the Whinlatter Pass, an area which has been forested intensively over many years. Even without the alien trees, the open hillside does not feel like a typical Lakeland fell, with large areas of heather and bilberries, criss-crossed by well-planned footpaths. Still, the ascent of Lord's Seat offers a pleasant walk, especially when combined with Barf to the east. The domed summit is marked by a cairn and two iron posts, all that remains of a fence that once crossed the top.

MAIDEN MOOR
Height: 1890', (576m)
Grid Ref: NY 237182

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1. The EASTERN FELLS
2. The FAR EASTERN
    FELLS
3. The CENTRAL FELLS
4. The SOUTHERN FELLS
5. The NORTHERN FELLS
6. The NORTH WESTERN
    FELLS
7. The WESTERN FELLS

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