This month's walk: Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge

We’ve linked up with carfreewalks.org, the website for people who love walking but want to reduce their impact on the environment, to bring you this great walk.

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This month's walk: Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge

This is perhaps THE Lake District classic, with England's most popular scramble on the way up to one of its most famous summits. It’s worth reminding walkers that both Striding Edge and Swirral Edge are potentially dangerous, especially in bad weather, so make sure you are prepared.

Loop or linear? Loop

Map: OS Explorer Map: OL5 - The English Lakes: NE area

Total distance: 10 km (roughly 6.5 miles)  

Total height gain: 819m (2688ft)

Start: Glenridding bus stop, OS Grid: NY387169

Bus: Use the Patterdale bus to get to Glenridding

Unsuitable for: children, buggies, wheelchairs

1. Glenridding bus stop OS Grid: NY387169
   From Glenridding, head along the Glenridding Beck and cross at Rattlebeck Bridge.
   
   
2. Hole-in-the-Wall OS Grid: NY359155 3.1km (1.9 miles) from 1
   Follow the path heading uphill alongside Mires Beck and through the rocky outcrop. You will come to Hole-in-the-Wall at the foot of the crag.
   
   
3. Striding Edge OS Grid: NY347149 1.3km (0.8 miles) from 2
   This knife-edge ridge is well known, but nothing beats an ascent of Helvellyn via this route. Enjoy the views from this spectacular position!
   
   
4. Helvellyn OS Grid: NY342153 0.6km (0.4 miles) from 3
   The summit! Time to get the flask out, and then take the path down via Swirral Edge. This route is less demanding than Striding Edge, but can still be tricky, so take care.
   
   
5. Red Tarn OS Grid: NY351155 0.9km (0.6 miles) from 4
   At the end of Red Tarn take the left hand track, which takes you along Red Tarn Beck for a bit of variation on the route down. This takes you down to the Glenridding valley and back to the village and straight to the Traveller's Rest, a great place to end the day for the thirsty.
   
   
6. Glenridding OS Grid: NY380169 3.3km (2.1 miles) from 5
   After a drink or three, take the Patterdale bus home and plan your next car-free walk in this beautiful region.