Dale Head

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Dale Head
Dale Head seen from the neighbouring hill of High Spy
Elevation	753 m (2,470 ft)
Location	Lake District, England
Prominence	397 m
Topo map	OS Landrangers 89, 90
OS grid reference	NY223153
Listing	Hewitt, Marilyn, Nuttall, Wainwright

Dale Head is a fell in the northwestern sector of the Lake District, in northern England. It is 753 metres or 2,470 feet above sea level and stands immediately north of Honister Pass, the road between Borrowdale and Buttermere.

Dale Head is the apex of two hill ridges. The principal ridge descends from Dale Head to the north-east and forms several other fells, each given a chapter by Alfred Wainwright in his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. These are High Spy, Maiden Moor and Catbells (alternative spelling, Cat Bells). This ridge forms the western side of Borrowdale and overlooks Derwent Water. The other ridge descends to the north-west and includes the fells of Hindscarth and Robinson; it overlooks Gatescarthdale and Buttermere. The summit of Dale Head enjoys an end-on view of the Newlands Valley to the north.

Among the natural features of Dale Head is Dale Head Tarn, a body of water approximately 1 kilometre to the east of the summit. It is a favourite refreshment stop for hillwalkers. There are several abandoned copper mines on the northern slopes of the fell.

One of the most popular ascent routes of Dale Head begins from the summit of Honister Pass, where there is a car park and a youth hostel. The route ascends directly alongside a fence for approximately 2 kilometres and would take the average walker some 45 or 50 minutes.