Maiden Moor is a Wainwright fell not far from Keswick, and forms part of an important Wainwright Walk called the Newlands Round, or Newlands Horseshoe Walk. This walk takes in a number of the Wainwright fells to the west and south of Derwent Water, offering the opportunity to complete several of the peaks on our Wainwright Maps in a day's walking. While not the largest of theWainwright's (138 out of 214 for the statisticians out there...), the summit of Maiden Moor offers lovely views of Derwent Water alongside Cat Bells, as well as tremendous views down the Newlands Valley to the Coledale Fells.
A shorter walk than the Newlands Horseshoe can be made by directly reaching the Maiden Moor summit from the Newlands Valley or Borrowdale, with both routes converging on Hause Gate before the ascent to the top of this Wainwright hill.The Newlands Round traditionally includes Maiden Moor in a series of Wainwright fells, beginning with Robinson and Dale Head, before moving on to High Spy after Maiden Moor. This Wainwright walk starts and ends at Little Town at the head of the Newlands Valley. On longer days in the summer, it is possible to extend the day's Wainwright walking to include the summits of Hindscarth and Cat Bells in the round, if you are intent on getting as many peaks on your Wainwright Map completed as possible.
Because the Newlands Round follows a horseshoe shaped route along a curving ridge of Wainwright Fells, the varied views offered from the numerous peaks along its route give a wonderful impression of the Lake District, in particular with great vistas that take in the Blencathra and Skiddaw massifs as well as Buttermere and Derwent Water. This makes for an impressive Wainwright Walk onto some of the lesser known fells, while being treated to classic Lakeland views that have left many a walker speechless on the route.
Two Wainwright walkers take in the views from Maiden Moor - Picture by Stewart Smith Photography
Plan and record your progress through the Wainwright Fells of the Lake District