Helvellyn
950m (3118ft)
The Eastern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
Helvellyn is on Ordnance Survey Maps:
| OS Explorer Map OL5 | |
| 1:25,000 scale (Orange Covers) |
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| OS Landranger Map 90 | |
| 1:50,000 scale (Pink Covers) |
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Helvellyn is on Peak Bagging Map & Hill Tick List:
*Version marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks.
Not familiar with Helvellyn?
See the location of Helvellyn and all 12 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map
Walk c432 Helvellyn from Thirlmere
The 'easiest' way up Lakeland's most climbed mountain
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 5ml (8km) | |
| Ascent: | 2,649ft (807m) | |
| Time: | 4½ hrs | |
| Grade: |  | (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
- The Swirls, Helvellyn Gill, Browncove Crags, Lower Man (Helvellyn), Helvellyn, Lower Man (Helvellyn), Browncove Crags, Helvellyn Gill, The Swirls.
Walk c213 Helvellyn from Glenridding
Lakeland's 3rd highest via the infamous Striding & Swirral Edges - not for the faint hearted
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.5ml (12km) | |
| Ascent: | 2,949ft (899m) | |
| Time: | 5.75hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
- Glenridding, Birkhouse Moor, Hole-in-the-Wall, Red Tarn (Helvellyn), Bleaberry Crag, Low Spying How, High Spying How, Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge, Hole-in-the-Wall, Brownend Plantation, Grisedale Beck, Lanty's Tarn, Keldas, Glenridding.
Walk c427 Helvellyn via Striding Edge from Patterdale
Lakeland's 3rd highest via the infamous Striding Edge
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8ml (12.5km) | |
| Ascent: | 2,990ft (911m) | |
| Time: | 6 hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
- Patterdale, Patterdale Church, Grisedale Bridge, Grisedale Beck, Brownend Plantation, Lanty's Tarn, Hole-in-the-Wall, Red Tarn (Helvellyn), Bleaberry Crag, Low Spying How, High Spying How, Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge (optional), Hole-in-the-Wall, Grisedale Beck, Patterdale.
Walk c113 Helvellyn from Thirlmere
Lakeland's most popular mountain
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8.5ml (13.5km) | |
| Ascent: | 3,296ft (1,005m) | |
| Time: | 6½ hrs | |
| Grade: |  | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
- The Swirls Car Park Thirlmere, Browncove Crags, Lower Man (Helvellyn), Helvellyn, White Side, Raise (Helvellyn), Sticks Pass, Sticks Gill, Stanah Gill, Legburthwaite, Thirlmere, Thirlspot, The Swirls Car Park Thirlmere.
Walk c220 Helvellyn via Striding Edge from Glenridding
Lakeland's most climbed mountain via the infamous Striding Edge - not for the faint hearted
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10ml (16km) | |
| Ascent: | 3,382ft (1,031m) | |
| Time: | 7 hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
- Glenridding, Birkhouse Moor, Hole-in-the-Wall, Red Tarn (Helvellyn), Bleaberry Crag, Low Spying How, High Spying How, Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, High Crag (Helvellyn), Dollywaggon Pike, Grisdale Tarn, Ruthwaite Lodge, Grisedale Beck, Brownend Plantation, Lanty's Tarn, Keldas, Glenridding.
Walk c224 Helvellyn via Swirral Edge and Raise from Glenridding
Lakeland's most popular via the easier Swirral Edge
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10ml (16km) | |
| Ascent: | 3,119ft (951m) | |
| Time: | 6.75hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
- Glenridding, Birkhouse Moor, Hole-in-the-Wall, Red Tarn (Helvellyn), Swirral Edge, Helvellyn, Lower Man (Helvellyn), White Side, Raise (Helvellyn), Sticks Pass, Lucy's Tongue, Glenridding Beck, Glenridding.
Walk c124 Helvellyn Ridge from Thirlmere
Lakeland's most popular mountain with a fine ridge walk
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10.5ml (17km) | |
| Ascent: | 3,575ft (1,090m) | |
| Time: | 7½ hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
- The Swirls Car Park Thirlmere, Browncove Crags, Lower Man (Helvellyn), Helvellyn, White Side, Raise (Helvellyn), Sticks Pass, Stybarrow Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Great Dodd, Legburthwaite, Thirlmere, Thirlspot, The Swirls Car Park Thirlmere.
Walk c394 Helvellyn, Catstye Cam and Sheffield Pike from Glenridding
Superb high level walk
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10ml (16km) | |
| Ascent: | 4,020ft (1,225m) | |
| Time: | 8 hrs | |
| Grade: |  | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
- Glenridding, Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Nick Head, Sticks Pass, Raise (Helvellyn), White Side, Lower Man (Helvellyn), Helvellyn, Swirral Edge, Catstye Cam, Glenridding Beck, Glenridding Youth Hostel, Glenridding.
Walk c269 The Grisedale Horseshoe from Patterdale
Lakeland's most climbed mountain - not for the faint hearted
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11.5ml (18.5km) | |
| Ascent: | 4,582ft (1,396m) | |
| Time: | 8.75hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
- Patterdale, Grisedale Bridge, Grisedale Beck, Brownends Plantation, Hole-in-the-Wall, Birkhouse Moor, Hole-in-the-Wall, Red Tarn (Helvellyn), Bleaberry Crag, Low Spying How, High Spying How, Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, High Crag (Helvellyn), Dollywaggon Pike, Grisedale Tarn, Deepdale Hause, St Sunday Crag, Birks, Patterdale.
Walk c286 The Glenridding Skyline from Glenridding
Superb high level walk
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 12.25ml (19.5km) | |
| Ascent: | 4,418ft (1,346m) | |
| Time: | 9 hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
- Glenridding, Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Nick Head, Glencoyne Head, Hart Side, Green Side (White Stones), Stybarrow Dodd, Sticks Pass, Raise (Helvellyn), White Side, Lower Man (Helvellyn), Helvellyn, Swirral Edge, Catstye Cam, Red Tarn Beck, Glenridding Beck, Glenridding Youth Hostel, Glenridding.
Walk c192 Helvellyn Ridge from Glenridding
An exhilarating high ridge walk
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 13ml (21km) | |
| Ascent: | 4,359ft (1,329m) | |
| Time: | 9.25hrs | |
| Grade: | | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
- Glenridding, Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Green Side, Stybarrow Dodd, Sticks Pass, Raise (Helvellyn), White Side, Lower Man (Helvellyn), Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, High Crag (Helvellyn), Dollywaggon Pike, Grisdale Tarn, Grisedale Beck, Brownend Plantation, Lanty's Tarn, Keldas, Glenridding.
Walk c264 The Grisedale Round from Patterdale
Superb high level ridge walk
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 13.25ml (21km) | |
| Ascent: | 5,189ft (1,581m) | |
| Time: | 10 hrs | |
| Grade: |  | (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
- Patterdale, Grisedale Bridge, Grisedale Beck, Brownend Plantation, Hole-in-the-Wall, Birkhouse Moor, Hole-in-the-Wall, Red Tarn (Helvellyn), Bleaberry Crag, Low Spying How, High Spying How, Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, High Crag (Helvellyn), Dollywaggon Pike, Seat Sandal, Grisedale Tarn, St Sunday Crag, Birks, Arnison Crag, Patterdale.
Not familiar with Helvellyn?
See the location of Helvellyn and all 12 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Helvellyn
Andrew Flynn walked up on October 10th, 2020 [from/via/route] C213 Hellvellyn via Striding edge [with] Nicola and some Pumas [weather] Nice day at ground level but foul at the top.
Catherine Hill climbed on July 20th, 1984 [from/via/route] Started out from Grasmere, hadn't intended to hike. Climbed Hellvelyn, striding edge. [with] Friend - Karen [weather] Dry,sunny, hot - Reprimanded, not fully prepared!!
Sarah Culverhouse bagged on September 18th, 2020 [from/via/route] Glenridding [weather] glorious sunshine
Andrew Mills hiked on August 9th, 2020 [from/via/route] Maiin car park @ Glenridding via stridens edge [with] Matthew and Laura [weather] Blue sky day - Very Lucky !!! - while on holiday with family in Keswick.
Sarah Hamer summited on August 20th, 2020 [from/via/route] Glenridding - parked up and took on Nethermost Pike, Dollywaggon Pike and Birkhouse Moor - Striding Edge - near meltdown [with] Chris Hamer, David May and Maddie [weather] Started off sunny and 17 degrees - wind got up and on the top it was really blowing, a little shower but once away from the tops the wind dies down - thank goodness - My memory of Striding Edge must have been buried as this was the 3rd time of taking it on. A good one to start off on - the others surely can only be easier!!
Phil Higgins conquered on September 21st, 2019 [from/via/route] Birkhouse Moor, Swirrel Edge [weather] Hot, sunny day. - Helvellyn Triathlon run route recipe.
Andy Buxton scaled during February, 1967 [from/via/route] From Thirlmere [with] BVGS [weather] Cold, clear day - First time. Also done up Swirral and down Striding Edges (and vice-versa)on several occasions
Michael Austin walked up on June 28th, 2019 [from/via/route] Striding Edge
Darin Torrance bagged on March 15th, 2020 [from/via/route] Thirlmere [weather] Cold snow rain windy - Hard walk
To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
. . . [see more walk reports]
Not familiar with Helvellyn?
See the location of Helvellyn and all 12 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map
More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Helvellyn
Looking up Grisedale to St Sunday Crag & Fairfield (left), Grisedale Hause, Dollywaggon Pike, High Crag (Helvellyn) & Nethermost Pike from below Hole-in-the-Wall
This is me scrambling to the summit of Helvellyn after surviving Striding Edge!
Steel Fell, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag below Seat Sandal (with Helvellyn and Fairfield in mist beyond) from Tarn Crag summit cairn
Striding Edge and Helvellyn (in mist) with Birkhouse Moor in front, Catstycam and Sheffield Pike from Gowbarrow Fell (Airy Crag)
Catstye Cam, White Side and Raise (Helvellyn) from the summit of Birkhouse Moor
Clouds rolling in over Fairfield (left), Dollywaggon Pike and Nethermost Pike from Helvellyn
Grisedale Hause, Dollywaggon Pike (centre), Nethermost Pike, Helvellyn and Striding Edge (far right) from Great Rigg
Helvellyn (centre left) and Seat Sandal (right) above The Pass of Dunmail Raise from Helm Crag
Mike, Tim and Shaun at the summit trig point on a very wet Helvellyn - I swear there were seals on the summit!
Glenridding Dodd (left), Ullswater and Place Fell from near Hole-in-the-Wall on the lower slopes of Helvellyn
*The Coniston Fells, The Langdale Pikes, High Raise, The Helvellyn Ridge, Fairfield, Seat Sandal, Great Rigg, Heron Pike and finally Loughrigg Fell from Lang How
Blencathra or Saddleback (left), Clough Head, Fisher's Wife's Rake, Calfhow Pike, Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise (Helvellyn) and Helvellyn in the centre with a glimpse of Thirlmere (right) from the summit of High Rigg
Helvellyn (left), Swirral Edge and Red Tarn (Helvellyn) from the approach to Striding Edge near Hole-in-the-Wall
Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam from Hole-in-the-Wall
The Helvellyn Ridge featuring Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike, Helvellyn and Striding Edge from Fairfield
Striding Edge and Helvellyn above Red Tarn from the col between Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam
Myself, Emma Cooper & Rachel Hargreaves on the summit of Helvellyn after tackling Striding Edge
Me and my father John at the summit of Helvellyn at the beginning of Feb 2012
*Codale Tarn (left) and Easedale Tarn from the Blea Rigg ridge with Helvellyn (left), Seat Sandal (centre) and Fairfield (right) on the horizon
Striding Edge, (left), Helvellyn and Catstye Cam (right) from Birkhouse Moor
Approaching Striding Edge and Helvellyn via Low Spying How and Bleaberry Crag
*Hayeswater with the Fairfield and Helvellyn Ridges beyond from High Street
Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn from Cofa Pike near the summit of Fairfield
Clough Head, Fisher's Wife's Rake, Calfhow Pike, Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise (Helvellyn) and Helvellyn from the summit of High Rigg
Swirral Edge, Catstye Cam, Red Tarn (Helvellyn) and Ullswater from the summit of Helvellyn
Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Red Tarn taken from Hole-in-the-Wall at the beginning of Striding Edge
Looking towards Bassenthwaite and The Skiddaw Massif from Raise (Helvellyn)
Striding Edge (left) and Helvellyn from the approach to Hole-in-the-Wall
Catstye Cam (left), Helvellyn (centre) and Lower Man (Helvellyn) (right) from near White Side
Catstye Cam (centre) with Striding Edge (left), Helvellyn and Lower Man (Helvellyn) (right) in the background from Sheffield Pike
Great Langdale and Blea Rigg with The Helvellyn Massiff in the distance under a deep blanket of snow from the lower slopes of Pike of Blisco (Pike o' Blisco)
The Helvellyn Massiff under a deep blanket of snow from the lower slopes
of Pike of Blisco (Pike o' Blisco)
*Lakeland panorama featuring a snow-topped Helvellyn (centre left) and Fairfield (centre right) from above Grasmere
Me (in orange jacket) and my mate Neil on our way to the top of Helvellyn on a drizzly and bitterly cold day.
Striding Edge (left), Helvellyn and Catstye Cam from the summit of Birkhouse Moor
Catstye Cam (shoulder left) and Raise (Helvellyn) above Keppel Cove from Red Tarn Beck in the snow
Chelmsford YHA members on Fairfield looking to Helvellyn, Striding Edge and Catstycam
*The Helvellyn summit ridge, Whiteside, Thirlmere and Watson's Dodd from Raise (Helvellyn) summit
Myself, Emma Cooper & Rachel Hargreaves descending Helvellyn via Swirral Edge
The Wythburn Fells (left) Thirlmere, Helvellyn (in mist) and Seat Sandal (right) from Steel Fell (Dead Pike)
Family group having completed Striding Edge before the last pull up to Helvellyn.
Birkhouse Moor (foreground left), Catstye Cam (foreground centre), White Side (centre right) and Raise (Helvellyn) (right) with Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Lower Man (Helvellyn) in the background from Sheffield Pike
The Howitzer on Helm Crag with Helvellyn and The Pass of Dunmail Raise beyond
Glenridding and The Helvellyn Massiff from Long Crag on the shores of Ullswater
Sunset on Helvellyn, Fairfield (centre) and Seat Sandal from High Seat (Ashness Fell)
A very grumpy Shaun post walk in Glenridding after scaling Helvellyn via Striding Edge on a very, very wet day!
Helvellyn Summit flanked by Striding Edge (left) and Swirral Edge (right) from Hole-in-the-Wall in the snow
*Little Langdale with the Langdale Pikes, Helvellyn and Fairfield beyond from Wetherlam
*Striding Edge (left), Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam (far right) from near Hole-in-the-wall
Grisedale with Birks beyond from near the Hole-in-the-wall between Birkhouse Moor and Helvellyn
The head of the Grisedale Valley with Dollywaggon Pike to the left, High Crag, Nethermost Pike and then Helvellyn (far right) from near Brownend Plantation
The Helevllyn Ridge featuring: Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Raise (Helvellyn), White Side, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Dollywaggon Pike, St Sunday Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg and Heron Pike with Steel Fell (mid distance) and Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag (foreground) from Brownrigg Moss
Birkhouse Moor summit cairn - with Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam beyond
Red Tarn (Helvellyn) and Striding Edge in all it's glory from Helvellyn
Striding Edge (left), Helvellyn and Swirral Edge (right) from above Hole-in-the-Wall
Dunmail Raise and Grasmere Village in the valley with Helvellyn (left), Fairfield (centre) and Seat Scandal, Great Rigg and Heron Pike beyond from Lang How
Cofa Pike and Fairfield from High Crag (Helvellyn) with Red Screes in the distance
Lesley and the 2 Cocker Spaniels, Millie and Monty, on Helvellyn in November 2011
. . . see just 10 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Helvellyn
Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Helvellyn
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Not familiar with Helvellyn?
See the location of Helvellyn and all 12 walks that climb it on an interactive Google Map
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