If all animals - not just equines - sported footwear, we would have a far more colourful and creative vocabulary for describing the routes we take across Britain's contours. Here's a good example... As you stare down the corridor of mountains within striking distance of Keswick, it's hard not to fall in love with the Newlands Valley. Flanked by an impressive roll call of Lakeland peaks, it embodies all the charm and chocolate box appeal that makes the Lake District so popular. For hillwalkers, it also offers the opportunity to get high onto the stunning North Western Fells, offering views of Derwent Water and the great hulks of Skiddaw and Blencathra, as well as a vista that reaches far beyond. As you approach the valley, ridges sprawl out like the tails of sleeping dinosaurs, their bulk forming a mass of mountainy goodness that makes Keswick such an appealing base. At the head of it all is a colossal set of peaks that includes everyone's favourite mini-mountain, Cat Bells, as well as the rugged grandness of Robinson, Dale Head and High Spy. Add to that a crossing of Maiden Moor and a visit to the highest point of Hindscarth, and you have one of the best rounds in the Lake District. However, here's the point: it isn't actually round! Like so many walks, you have to take the odd deviation to tick off a peak or two along the way - meaning your trail resembles more of a webbed foot than anything else. It's only due to the lack of variety in animal footwear that we call this a horseshoe. I'll admit it's an appealing name; it makes you want to walk it. But if only ducks wore shoes... we'd have a far better term for this classic round!
From Trail magazine - to subscribe visit www.GreatMagazines.co.uk/Trail © Copyright Bauer Media Limited 2014. All rights reserved. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk.
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