Helvellyn from Thirlmere
Area: The Eastern Fells
Posted By: graham
At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a littledull. They display slopes of a fairly uniform nature which when
compared with the likes of Striding Edge and Swirl Edge on the other,
eastern side, certainly lack that immediate, 'in your face' drama.
Helvellyn though is a big mountain and the two sides of it are an
integral part of why it is such a popular mountain. If you are into a
total scrambling experience then there is nothing wrong with doing the
edges. If on the other hand you want to savour the fantastic view down
on to the edges from the summit, and if you just want to walk to get it
rather than scramble then there is no finer way of doing it than
approaching up the well-graded paths from the Thirlmere side.
The three highest peaks of the main ridge can quite comfortably be done
by climbing the zig-zags of the Helvellyn Gill Path to Helvellyn's
summit. Then descending to Grisedale Tarn taking in Nethermost Pike and
Dollywaggon Pike along the way. The best way back is down by Raise
Beck, which is a little confined but soon leads down to Dunmail Raise
from where you can make use of the permissive path to get back to the
start.
Terrain Steep stony fellside, summit ridge, scree, tarn, steep narrow
gill and forest.
1. Cross the footbridge over Helvellyn Gill at the back of the car park
then follow the path SE alongside the gill to another footbridge. Cross
the footbridge, then climb the steep zig-zags to a wall. Through the
gate continue climbing to the remains of another wall. From here the
path ascends the steep scree-covered shoulder SE directly to
Helvellyn's summit.
2. From the summit of Helvellyn follow the main ridge path S until it
forks at Swallow Scarth, take the L branch and follow it S to
Dollywaggon Pike. From Dollywaggon Pike the path turns SE. Continue
along it and descend the steep zig-zags to Grisedale Tarn.
3. At the tarn turn W and follow the path across the low col to the
head of Raise Beck. Join the path on the S side of Raise Beck and
follow it down towards Dunmail Raise.
4. Just before the road turn R and follow the Permissive Path N to the
footbridge over Birkside Beck. Cross the bridge and continue N along
the path as it traverses the mountainside into the forestry
plantations. The path is followed N for just over 4km back to the car
park
Route Grade Medium
Start Point Thirlmere
(Map Ref: NY316169)
Finish Point Thirlmere
(Map Ref: NY316169)
Distance 9.3
Maps to Use British Mountain Maps, Lake District (1: 40 000), OS Explorer OL5, Harveys' Superwalker (1:25 000) Lakeland East
Approx Time 5 - 6 hours
Parking Car park at north end of Thirlmere
