Helvellyn Via Striding Edge – The Best Walk Up Helvellyn (+Map)

The walk up Helvellyn via Striding Edge is one of the most thrilling hikes in the Lake District. But this narrow ridge with precipitous drops on either side is not for everyone. Here’s what you need to know.

By: Mark Barnes | Last Updated: May 5, 2025 | Jump to Comments

Helvellyn stands like a majestic sentinel above the eastern fells of the Lake District. From the west, it looks little more than a grassy bank, but from the east, a series of rugged crags and sinuous ridges provide an exhilarating path to the summit.

The best walking route up Helvellyn is via Striding Edge. This narrow ridge rises and falls with steep drops on either side.

The path along the top is classified as a Grade 1 scramble, and it’s a thrilling test of nerves. But the rewards are an adventure with breathtaking views and the satisfaction of climbing the third-highest peak in the Lakes.

We have done this hike many times and love it. We always descend via Swirral Edge, which forms a circular route that is one of our favourite hikes in the Lake District.

Please note: this hike can be scary in places, so it’s not for everyone. Read on to find out if it’s for you.

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the ridges of striding edge helvellyn — STRIDING EDGE

summit of helvellyn overlooking red tarn — STRIDING EDGE

WHY IS THIS THE BEST ROUTE UP HELVELLYN?

We love the walk up Helvellyn via Striding Edge for several reasons.

It has incredible scenery – The route has stunning panoramic views towards Ullswater, St Sunday’s Crag, and the rugged rocky façades of Dollywagon and Nethermost Pike.

There’s a massive sense of excitement – Striding Edge is a narrow ridge requiring scrambling skills, using hands and feet, and a good head for heights. It’s a thrill to walk.

The variety of experiences is excellent – The walk includes two excellent ridges, two secluded swimming spots, a picturesque wide valley, a rocky ledge surrounded by ferns, and lovely brooks.

striding edge helvellyn — MARK ON STRIDING EDGE

HELVELLYN VIA STRIDING & SWIRRAL PRACTICAL INFORMATION

HIKE OVERVIEW

This circular route up Helvellyn starts in Glenridding and ascends via Striding Edge to the summit. It then descends via Swirral Edge and returns to Glenridding.

The path along the top of Striding Edge has precipitous drops on either side and is classified as a Grade 1 scramble, which means you will need to use your hands in places.

HIKE STATS

Start & End – Glenridding
Distance – 8.2 miles (13.2 km)
Time – 5 to 6 hours
Ascent & Descent – 2,940 feet (1,000m)
Difficulty – Challenging Grade 1 scramble

MAP

It takes about 3 hours to walk up Helvellyn via Striding Edge from Glenridding. We have marked the route on the map below. For more details, including contours of the land and ascent and descent profile, use our Helvellyn OS Map.

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USING OUR MAPS. Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.

SCRAMBLING STRIDING EDGE

While Striding Edge is the best route up Helvellyn, it is not for everyone.

The tricky part of the ridge is 300 to 400 metres long as it rises and falls over a series of narrow, rocky peaks.

The arête (sharp ridge) is only two to three metres wide in places with precipitous drops on both sides. You will need to use your hands for some sections.

Towards the end of the ridge, a large rock called ‘The Chimney’ drops about 5 or 6 metres. You’ll need to take most of your weight on your arms as you lower yourself down using periodic footholds.

A tempting lower path circumnavigates some of the trickier sections just before The Chimney. But the path is very narrow with a steep drop on one side. Paul is not very good with heights, so he tried this lower path, thinking it would be better. But he soon climbed back up to the ridge, where he felt more comfortable.

The benefit of doing Striding Edge on the ascent is that the chimney comes towards the end, by which time you will have built some confidence.

After The Chimney, there’s a final scramble up a large section of rock to the summit of Helvellyn. Again, a scree detour looks tempting, but it’s much better to scramble up the middle of the rock – it’s easier than it looks.

You need a head for heights to do this walk, but no climbing equipment is required. It’s excellent for confident walkers who have not yet tried any scrambling.

the chimney striding edge helvellyn — THE CHIMNEY

top of striding edge, helvellyn — THE CHIMNEY

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The most significant factor when deciding to tackle Striding Edge is the weather.

Wind on the edge can be much stronger than down at the bottom, so pick a day with good conditions, avoiding the ridge on wet or windy days and especially if it’s icy.

Check the weather on Mountain Forecast which shows the wind conditions and temperatures at the base and at the summit. Use the button on the left to toggle between elevations.

fern path near glenridding striding edge helvellyn — SWIRRAL EDGE, HELVELLYN

walking up to helvellyn — SWIRRAL EDGE, HELVELLYN

HIKE INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO GET TO THE TRAILHEAD

The walk up Helvellyn via Striding Edge begins in the village of Glenridding.

GLENRIDDING BY CAR

Glenridding is a 15-minute drive from Ambleside or Windermere, a 30-minute drive from Keswick or Penrith, and just over 2 hours from Manchester or Liverpool.

There is a large car park in the village, but on sunny weekends or holidays it can easily be full by mid-morning, so try to arrive early.

You can purchase parking per hour up to 5 hours, or £8.50 for 24 hours. The machine accepts cash, cards, contactless and the Ringo App.

GLENRIDDING BY BUS

Glenridding is 45 minutes from Penrith on the 508 bus, but it only runs about 6 times a day.

It is also about 1 hour from Windermere on the same bus, but this only runs 3 times a day and only from the Easter holidays to October half-term.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ASCENT VIA STRIDING EDGE

Start the hike in the village of Glenridding at the R&R Corner Shop.

Follow the minor road that runs on the southern side of Glenridding Beck passing the Helvellyn Country Kitchen and Village Hall. When the path splits stay right (signposted Helvellyn) keeping the river close on your right-hand side.

The trail passes a campsite on your left, crosses over a bridge (marked 1 on the map above) and meets a road. Turn left on the road and then immediately right on a gravel track (signed to Helvellyn Greenside and Mires Beck).

Head through a metal gate and begin to climb, turning right when you meet a private driveway, to reach a wooden gate (marked 2 on the map above).

helvellyn glenridding 2 — HOLE-IN-THE-WALL

helvellyn glenridding 3 — HOLE-IN-THE-WALL

Go through the gate and immediately turn left. The path crosses over a stream (Mires Beck) and now starts to climb keeping the stream on your right. This is where the hard yards of the walk are done, continuously climbing up the grassy shoulder until the path meets a wall.

After a while the path veers away from the wall, bending right and then left to reach the ridge beside the summit of Birkhouse Moor (marked 3 on the map above). Here you can take a breather knowing about two thirds of the height has been conquered.

Follow the ridgeline towards Striding Edge with views of Helvellyn and Red Tarn slowly appearing. At the Hole in-the-Wall (marked 4 on the map above) clamber over the wall on a wooden stile, and then immediately over another wall over a stile.

The ridge now reaches the thrill of Striding Edge followed by a steep clamber up the face of Helvellyn. At the top of the scramble turn right to reach the summit (marked 5 on the map above).

red tarn on the helvellyn walk — RED TARN WITH SWIRRAL EDGE BEHIND

walking up to helvellyn from glenridding — RED TARN WITH SWIRRAL EDGE BEHIND

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DESCENT VIA SWIRRAL EDGE

From the summit of Helvellyn head northwest keeping the edge close on your right-hand side and find the rocky path that descends to Swirral Edge.

This is a steep and scrambly drop requiring hands and feet, but the ridge itself is not as narrow as Striding Edge.

At the low point of the ridge (marked 6 on the map above) the path splits. Ignore the left fork which heads up to Catstye Cam and take the right fork down towards Red Tarn.

Approaching the tarn keep left and follow the path that descends a grassy valley with Red Tarn Beck on your right. It’s a long steady descent that finally crosses a wooden bridge over the beck, then follows it, keeping the beck on your left-hand side.

A little further the path passes a wonderful wild swimming spot (see map) and then bends right (ignoring the bridge over Glenridding Beck marked 7 on the map) to head between the ferns. Here the path splits and you can take either route.

The left fork, which heads down along a wall, is easier. The right fork, which cuts through the ferns on a rocky ledge, is more interesting.

They both end at the wooden gate which you came through on the way up (marked 2 on the map) from where you can retrace your footsteps back to Glenridding.

NAVIGATION & TRAIL CONDITIONS

Most paths on this route are very clear and well-marked. The exceptions are the ridges of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge and the rocky scrambles up and down from Helvellyn’s summit.

Although the path is not always obvious, the ridges are often straightforward as you generally stick to the top.

But the rocky scramble to and from the summit are a mass of little gullies and rocky trails. So, take your time and pick your route carefully. Ideally, walk on a clear day.

Make sure you have a compass and a detailed map. Walking boots or shoes with a good grip are essential for traversing the ridges. We recommend that you don’t bring a large rucksack, which may unbalance you.

We saw many people carrying their dogs over the summit, so if yours is not good with heights, it might be a good idea to leave them at home.

FACILITIES ON THE WALK

There are no facilities on the walk itself so take plenty of water and lunch/snacks.

Toilets (50p payable by card) are available at Glenridding Car Park.

Glenridding Village has a couple of stores, a few cafes, and a pub – The Travellers Rest.

WILD SWIMMING OPTIONS

The area around Helvellyn has some of the best wild swimming in the Lake District and there are three great opportunities to take a dip on this hike.

RED TARN

On a hot day, as you descend from Swirral Edge, the shimmering water of Red Tarn is only a five-minute detour from the path. The water is chilly, but it’s a great way to cool down after the long climb.

GLENRIDDING BECK

There is an idyllic plunge pool in Glenridding Beck, which is only about 45 minutes before the end of the hike. We found this spot recently and we love it. It’s just off the path (see map above).

GLENRIDDING

Glenridding Village has a gently sloping grey gravel beach on the shores of Ullswater. There is a large grassy area perfect for picnics, and it’s great for families wanting to chill out after a long day of walking.

WHERE TO STAY?

The best area to stay for the Hellvelyn hike is around Ullswater and Patterdale. Not only is the walking excellent but there are also family-focused activities on the lakes and great hotel options.

We have many more options in our where to stay in the Lake District detailed guide.

OUR PICK

PATTERDALE