Ultimate guide to climbing Helvellyn: Best routes, essential gear and safety advice

Helvellyn is the fourth-highest peak in England and one of the most famous peaks in the Lake District, making it an absolute must for your hiking bucket list.

Offering routes to its summit for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, Helvellyn is a peak with something for everyone. Its twin ridges of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge are the stuff of legend, with the full Helvellyn Horseshoe offering thrilling scrambles along both arêtes – one on the way up, and one on the way down.

If you’re looking for a less technical and daring ascent, Helvellyn also offers much more straightforward walks from Glenridding and Thirlmere. The routes via Keppel Cove and Browncove Crags, for example, allow beginners and less experienced hikers to avoid the rocky ridges on their way to the mountain’s busy summit plateau.

Climbing Helvellyn is a hugely rewarding experience, whichever route you decide to take. As well as being one of the Lake District’s highest mountains, it’s undoubtedly one of the best and most popular.

Marking the highest point in the Eastern Fells – a huge unbroken chain of mountains that carve the Lake District almost clean in half from north to south – the views from Helvellyn are unrivaled. From the summit, on a clear day, you’ll feel like you can see into almost every corner of England’s most mountainous National Park.

Of course, so far we’re painting a perfect picture of climbing the mountain. But it's important to remember that weather conditions play a crucial role in your experience of climbing Helvellyn. The mountain can be unpredictable, with sudden changes in visibility, temperature, and wind speeds.

Checking the weather forecast, wearing good quality hiking gear, and bringing essential supplies such as a map, compass and the skills to use them are very important. In winter, Helvellyn transforms into a mountaineering challenge, requiring ice axes, crampons, and experience in snowy conditions.

This guide will walk you through the best routes, recommended gear, safety tips, and everything you need to know for a successful ascent of Helvellyn. So lace up your boots, strap on your pack, and get ready to experience one of the best days in England’s mountains.

How tall is Helvellyn?

Helvellyn is 950m tall (3,117ft), which puts it at just under a kilometre high. It's often referenced as the third-highest mountain in England, but it drops to the fourth-highest when based on the Nuttall criteria.

The trig point on Helvellyn is marked on Ordnance Survey maps as 949m, with the true summit of 950m just a short distance to the south-east near the mountain's summit cairn. Helvellyn is also the highest peak in the Eastern Fells, which makes it a great viewpoint over much of the Lake District National Park.

How long does it take to climb Helvellyn?

As with all high mountain routes, the answer to this question depends on many factors. Helvellyn is a very big peak at 950m and most of the ascent routes start at around 150m, so that’s a lot of uphill.

The time it takes to reach the top will depend on the length of the route you take and how difficult it is in terms of technicality. For example, you’re likely to move slower along Striding Edge than you will if you take the more direct footpath straight up from Thirlmere.

It’s possible to get up and down Helvellyn in around 5 hours if you’re super fit, don’t stop for many breaks and are an experienced hiker. But we’d recommend just looking at this as a long mountain day to be savoured rather than racing against the clock. Just make sure you’re down before dark!

Is Helvellyn safe for beginners?

If you’re a complete beginner we’d suggest trying something a little less committing than Helvellyn for your first mountain. Have a practice run on something like Cat Bells or Helm Crag first, just to make sure hillwalking is your thing.

If you’ve done that and still fancy a go at Helvellyn, then it would be sensible to go for a route like Thirlmere or Keppel Cove. It’s impossible to know how you’ll react to being on exposed and technical terrain like Striding Edge or Swirral Edge until you’ve already spent some time and gained experience in the mountains, so those ridges are best saved for another day.

What gear essentials do I need?

Helvellyn may be popular with beginners ranging from schoolkids to pensioners, but don’t let that fool you. This is a big mountain that can be a very cold, harsh and dangerous place to be if the weather turns and you don’t have the correct kit.

The absolute minimum we’d recommend is grippy, durable, comfortable and protective footwear; plenty of clothing layers including waterproofs and insulation; a good hiking day pack; plus extra essentials like hat, gloves and walking poles if you want to give your knees a break.

Make sure you carry at least 2 litres of water (especially in the summer), plenty of food and snacks to keep your energy levels topped up, a well-stocked first aid kit, plus a printed map and compass. Because although digital navigation tools are great, they can’t always be relied upon.

In winter conditions, you’ll need some added essentials for safety reasons, including an ice axe and crampons. And most importantly, the skills to use them!

What’s the weather like on Helvellyn?

The Lake District is officially the wettest place in England and the high mountains receive the brunt of the weather. Helvellyn’s summit can be a magnet for low cloud and the ridges are often blasted by rain and wind, which make conditions very uncomfortable.

There are plenty of places where you can check the weather forecasts for the mountain. Below are some of our favourites:

- Mountain Weather Information Service: which has detailed forecasts for the whole Lake District
- Met Office Mountain Weather Forecast: this excellent website allows you to view outlooks for Britain’s main mountain regions, with specific forecasts for some of the major peaks. Click here to see Helvellyn
- Lake District Weatherline: offers daily updates on the Lake District mountain conditions, with a team of Felltop Assessors who climb Helvellyn every day in winter to asses the snow conditions and provide safety updates for hillwalkers and mountaineers.

Is Striding Edge scary?

That all depends on how you feel about heights. For the most part, a traverse of Striding Edge is exciting, rocky, high-level walking, but there are sections such as the ‘Bad Step’ where you need to use some scrambling moves on very steep ground, and the terrain can start to feel intimidating very quickly.

The ridge is extremely narrow in places with big drops around you on both sides, so even when walking on the path it can easily set your nerves jangling if you aren’t fully comfortable in these surroundings.

And when bad weather hits then, yes, Striding Edge can feel a very scary and dangerous place. High winds, wet rock, and low cloud aren’t conditions you want to go anywhere near this ridge in. And don’t even consider it in winter conditions unless you have winter mountaineering experience.

Ideally, you want a dry calm day with long daylight hours so you can take your time and not feel under pressure to rush. Admittedly it isn’t easy to predict the weather on this or any mountain, so don’t be afraid to switch plans and come back another day if conditions don’t look right.

Is Helvellyn hard to navigate?

Any mountain can be tricky to navigate if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, or if cloud makes it difficult for you to see what’s coming.

When climbing any mountain, you need be able to use a map and compass to work out where you are, and where to go. GPS units are fine but should never be a substitute for map and compass, as they can break or run out of battery.

Phones are useful too, but make sure you have software such as OS Maps with the appropriate section of Ordnance Survey map downloaded to your device so it can work without connection. Google Maps is no use!

Is it safe to take my dog?

You can, but preferably on a lead and always under close control. Don’t let your dog impede other walkers and be aware this is an important sheep grazing area surrounded by farmland.

The terrain on Helvellyn is a mix of constructed paths, bare rock, narrow ridges and boulders, which can be harsh on a dog’s pads. So test them on similar routes first.

Our advice, if you decide to take your dog, is to avoid both Striding and Swirral Edge. You’ll have plenty to focus on in terms of your own safety on the ridges, without wanting to worry about a dog too.

What’s the best time of year to climb Helvellyn?

Late spring to early autumn, when the days are long, the temperatures are higher, and you have more chance of settled weather. It’s still possible to get very cold and harsh weather on Helvellyn in summer, but you’ll have far more chance of catching the mountain on a good day if you avoid the winter months.

What is Helvellyn like in winter?

Winter in the Lake District can bring anything from beautiful, benign frost to seriously deep snow, ice and cornices.

Helvellyn is unique in that it has a daily update throughout winter provided by the Lake District Weatherline service. This gives an excellent indication as to what weather conditions are like at the top of the mountain over the past 24 hours and is invaluable when planning an ascent.

Snow and ice require special care in the hills. If snow conditions are to be encountered on a mountain you may need extra equipment and skills to negotiate it safely. The best way to learn how to use these tools is a winter skills course. Alternatively consider hiring a mountain instructor for the day, who will keep you safe, teach you lifelong skills and make your day much more fun.

Daylight hours are shorter in winter. Climbing Helvellyn can take upwards of six hours, so depending on what time you start, you may be descending in the dark. Pack a headtorch, and a spare, plus extra layers for when it gets dark.

Climbing Helvellyn – 3 of the best routes

The Helvellyn horseshoe – Striding Edge & Swirral Edge

Classic & most popular route

Starting point: Glenridding
Distance: 7½-mile round trip 
Time: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: Challenging – involves scrambling on narrow ridges
Highlights: Knife-edge ridges, epic mountain views, beautiful mountain tarn
Tips: Best for experienced hikers, and should be avoided in wet, icy, or windy conditions

When people think of Helvellyn, it’s Striding Edge they picture. Possibly the most famous mountain route in Britain, the Helvellyn Horseshoe involves a traverse of two of England’s finest mountain ridges.

Most people choose to ascend via Striding Edge, tag the 950m trig point, then descend via the equally jagged and toothy Swirral Edge. Although Mountain Rescue recommends going the other way, particularly in winter, to avoid descending the very steep slope leading from Helvellyn’s summit plateau down to Swirral Edge.

Striding Edge and Swirral Edge are both officially Grade 1 scrambles, which means there are sections where it’s unavoidable to use your hands as well as your feet. Plus, plenty of sections will make your legs wobble if you aren’t comfortable with heights and exposed mountain terrain.

For the most part, though, this is exciting and adventurous walking of the highest level, and there’s a bypass path on Striding Edge that avoids the true crest of the ridge for most of its duration. It’s not a place we’d want to be in low cloud or high wind, so try to time your ascent during a good weather window and enjoy one of the most iconic mountain routes in Britain.

Helvellyn from Thirlmere – via Browncove Crags

Easiest & most direct route

Starting Point: Swirls Car Park
Distance: 7-mile round trip (if you take the longer loop)
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate – steady ascent, gentle path, suitable for beginners and families. No scrambling
Highlights: The sudden, epic views east to the Edges and down to Red Tarn once you reach the summit
Tips: Make it a circuit by coming back down via Birk Side and following the woodland trail alongside Thirlmere back to the start

You could describe this route as climbing Helvellyn via the back door, taking a very steep and direct route from Swirls Car Park in the Thirlmere Valley.

From the car park, you attack Helvellyn from the west, starting almost on the bank of Thirlmere Reservoir, before climbing steeply alongside Helvellyn Gill, past Browncove Crags then over Lower Man to the summit.

It’s not the most exciting route up the mountain, but once on top you get views back down the Edges and out over the Eastern Lake District. If you have time, turn it into a long and enjoyable loop by descending south via Birk Side back to Thirlmere, then strolling for a couple of kilometres through woodland back to the car park.

Helvellyn from Glenridding via Keppel Cove

Avoids the Edges

Starting Point: Glenridding
Distance: 9½ miles round trip
Time: 6-7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate – long hillwalk that’s less technical than Striding Edge and much quieter
Highlights: Great views of Keppel Cove, Brown Cove, Swwirral Edge and Catsye Cam on the ascent
Tips: If you don’t fancy returning the same way, check out alternative descents via Sticks Pass and Grisedale Tarn. They're much longer but will add variety to the route

If you’re starting from Glenridding but don’t fancy tackling Helvellyn’s ridges, there’s another far more serene way to the summit. Follow Glenridding Beck up to Glenridding Common, then the path that zigzags up past Keppel Cove before passing over Whiteside Bank towards Lower Man and Helvellyn.

Like the Thirlmere approach, you’ll be greeted at Helvellyn’s summit with wonderful views of the Edges and across to St Sunday Crag. You’ll feel like you’re in the centre of the hillwalking universe. The quickest and safest way back down is the same way you came, where the pubs of Glenridding and Patterdale will be waiting.

Climbing Helvellyn – 3 safety tips

1. Plan your route and tell someone about it

This age-old hillwalking tactic should be followed on every mountain trip. Plan your route well in advance, let someone who won’t be on the trip know where you’re going and what time you’re likely to be back, then contact them as soon as you’re back down to let them know you’re safe.

2. Try to stick to the paths

This isn’t always a simple thing to do when you hit Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, where footpaths disappear in places and are replaced by the naked rock of ridges. But for the most part, it’s best to stick to the paths – both to avoid straying onto dangerous ground and to protect the overworked landscape of the Lake District fells.

3. Start early and take your time

On a mountain route like Helvellyn, you don’t want to rush or feel under unnecessary pressure. So make sure you set off early in the morning and take your time so you can fully enjoy your surroundings.

If you plan your trip in the summer you should have plenty of daylight hours to get up and down the mountain before dark. If you climb Helvellyn when the days are shorter in autumn or winter, you’ll need a headtorch or two in your pack in case you get caught out after dark.

Nearby attractions & accommodation

Where to park

There is plenty of parking in Glenridding, with a large car park in the centre of the village. Helvellyn does get extremely busy in summer though, so arrive early to make sure you get a spot and park responsibly elsewhere if you don’t. If you’re walking from the Thirlmere sound, Swirls Car Park is your best bet.

Places to stay

Helvellyn benefits from a fairly central location in the Lake District, meaning you aren’t far from the major towns of Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick, which are full of great places to stay. Check Booking.com or the YHA website for some great deals.

You’ll also find accommodation options ranging from hotels and cottages to B&Bs and great campsites in villages such as Glenridding, Patterdale, Pooley Bridge and Grasmere.

Places to buy food

There are local shops in Glenridding and Patterdale, but nowhere to buy food on the mountain. Ensure you take plenty of high-carb, high-sugar food and at least 2 litres of water because there are very few safe natural water sources on the mountain.

Best pubs for a post-walk pint

The Traveller’s Rest in Glenridding is the closest you’ll get to a pub on the actual mountain. Otherwise, on the east side, there’s the Rambler’s Bar at the Inn on the Lake, and the Ullswater Inn. On the west (Thirlmere) side, there is the King’s Head on the A591.

Places to visit

You’re spoiled for choice really in the Lake District National Park, but two places we’d recommend visiting nearby are the stunning lake of Ullswater with its shoreline walks and steamboat rides, plus the National Trust’s Aira Force waterfall which is a short drive north from Glenridding.

Other nearby hikes

Where do you even start in the Lake District? But if you’re making a weekend of it and staying near Helvellyn, some of our favourite nearby walks are the ones below.

Helm Crag from Grasmere: fantastic little fell, perfect for beginners and families. ROUTE GUIDE

Place Fell and the Ullswater Way: Underrated peak with magical views of Helvellyn, plus one of the best lakeside walks in the Lakes. ROUTE GUIDE

Skiddaw via Longside Edge: Tackle Lakeland’s fourth highest mountain via its most interesting route, up a broad ridge with far-reaching views. ROUTE GUIDE

Blencathra via Hall’s Fell Ridge: Spice things up with a Grade 1 scramble to the top of this Lake District icon. The scrambling is easy enough and will make you feel like an alpinist. ROUTE GUIDE

Helvellyn – trivia, facts and stats

Tips from the author

Oli Reed (above) has climbed Helvellyn via every route described in this article, and during every season. He first climbed Helvellyn with a walk from Glenridding via Keppel Cove as a student, followed by a traverse of Striding Edge a few years later, then a winter ascent from Thirlmere.

Oli’s since been back for multiple summer and winter crossings of Striding Edge and hopes to go over the same ridge later this summer with his 9-year-old son, if the weather plays ball. Below are his top tips for climbing Helvellyn.

Set off early. The mountain gets very busy during peak season, so give yourself the luxury of quieter paths by getting moving before the crowds.

Don’t be too ambitious. Striding Edge is a seductive ridge and is quite rightly the route everyone wants to take on Helvellyn, but don’t over-commit yourself. Make sure you’re fully confident on that type of exposed terrain before attempting it.

Stay in the Ullswater valley. This is such a beautiful part of the Lakes that it deserves more than a day of your time. Book some local accommodation and immerse yourself in the valley for a few days of walks, views and great pubs.

Make a good summit sarnie. I still dream about the cheese and chunky pickle roll I ate in the Helvellyn summit shelter the first time I climbed this mountain.

Come back again and again. I’ve climbed Helvellyn close to 10 times and, if anything, I enjoy it more on every visit. Don’t just get to know one route, keep coming back so you can learn everything there is to know about one of England’s greatest mountains.