[Closed] Hellvelyn walking route

The 'classic' route would be to go via the edges. So park at Glennriding. Head up over Birkhouse Moor (I think?) Up Striding Edge which is a Grade 1 scramble but basically all escapable. From the summit head down the other side on Swirral Edge, again a Grade 1 scramble. You can then take in Catstye Cam to add a bit of distance.

That route is more like 12km than 12 miles. It's a good 5/6 hour day even for someone relatively fit. A 12-14 mile day out is a long old day!

Alternatively park by Thirlmere and go up via Seat Sandal, Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike, then do a bit of an out from there over to Hellvelyn from Swallow Scarth and head back to you car from there. Again more like 14km I think? It's a solid 6 hour day at least.

Both are mega routes, on a good day, even though it can be a bit busy, Helvellyn via the edges is one of the best mountain days in England imo.

The edges is a bright day out. But the descent of Swirral Edge is a thing

It’s really hard to describe. Striding edge is the instagram post. There are loads of options and the rock is great

Swirral Edge is in descent. It looks like nothing. But tere is something not quite right about it. There are places where the rock slopes away to the edge with loose bits on it. We just walked down and it was over in minutes. But it is an accident back spot. I’m not saying don’t do it. Just think about the party first. One option would be to carry on to Sticks pass and down the bridleway

There are options from Grasmere and Thirlmere which are more straight forward

I'd go with Tom's first suggestion, probably the best walk I've ever done in the UK, I've not done loads mind!

As said above you don't need to stick rigidly to the crest on Striding Edge if you don't fancy it. That said there is a short corner to down climb which is a bit exposed - tip, face in.

Swirral is OK if it's dry and calm. If you go up Catstycam come back down the same way. There is an inviting faint path from the top going north straight down to the valley. Don't do it, it's hideous.

One option would be to carry on to Sticks pass and down the bridleway

Or White Side/Keppel Cove.

Another pleasant route from the Thirlmere side is from Stanah (some car parking there and up the valley opposite Castle Rock). Steeply at first (and despite the name, sadly no stair lift) then flattening out to Sticks Pass then south to Helvellyn. Some lovely views on a nice day from that route. Possibly back via Lower man, Helvellyn Gill and traverse above Fisher Place back to Stanah, can be pretty boggy lower down though.

Oh and watch out for the hasidic jewish youths running around in shirt sleeves on the summit!

I'd probably favour up via Striding, down via Dollywaggon and the tarn, just for variety. The edges feel very steady in good conditions, but throw in a bit of wind and dampness, and there are some objective risks.

So unless you are a confident scrambler, maybe be prepared to adjust your route if it's blowy.

If it's not a daft question when are you planning to go? Striding and Swirral edge are likely to hold some snow into April often May and almost definitely need crampons as option when there is snow. The drop onto Swirral is not climbing steep but exposed and can form a nice ice sheet. No probs. with crampons but interesting or worse without.
Walking up from Grizedale tarn and over Dollywagon of the other routes from the Grasmere side are generally less prone to ice and snow.

I much prefer to descend over Striding.

Park Glenridding, walk up towards Keppl cove, but before the path starts getting steep, turn off left and cross over the old ruined dam. Then ascend the North West Ridge of Catstye Cam. Steep but a good climb, brings you right to the summit. Then head over Swirral top the summit and down and along Striding Edge. Birkhouse moor descent to Lanty's Tarn on Keldas before dropping back into Glenridding.

Check here before setting off.
https://www.mwis.org.uk/forecasts/english-and-welsh/lake-district

What lowey said. My favourite Helvellyn circuit, I've tried them all - many, many times. NW ridge of Catstycam is steep, but not difficult. Catstycam is my favourite Lakeland summit, properly pointed, and a superb viewpoint. Swirral Edge is far more pleasant (and safer) in ascent than descent. Striding Edge works in either direction, but less likely to wander off onto the headwall in bad weather on the descent, paradoxically the bad step is climbed on the descent, making it easier and safer. Carry on over Birkhouse Moor, and descend via Mires Beck to maximise time spent up high.

Then ascend the North West Ridge of Catstye Cam. Steep but a good climb, brings you right to the summit.

Ha... That's the one I said was horrible in descent. Yes it's probably quite good going up. I've done the ridges many times but I don't think I have ever considered up Swirrel down Striding. I may have to rectify that.

My 13th old lad learnt about vertigo on Striding Edge. Proper knee knocking ;0)
In perfect conditions is blissful if still a challenge for us soft southerners. Avoided descending Swirling and went the long way down for extra miles.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was aware that Stirling edge can be a bit dodgy and dangerous in bad conditions but a little surprised to hear about crampons, climbing or scrambling. Starting to conjure up images of climbing rather than walking and wondered how people carry their bikes and ride up there.

I’m a decent Walker and don’t mind a bit of a scramble but I’m not a mountain climber and I did plan on having my little dog pal with me.

One of my favourite routes up or down is via Seldom Seen (north side of Sheffield Pike), via Sticks Pass and Raise. Nice scenic walk with a bit of a mix, nothing technical, and probably pretty much no people on the section below Sticks Pass.
I always see what the weather's doing and adjust my plans on the day. Keppel Cove is my bail-out option if the weather is totally pants and I want to get off the top asap. Have only taken that bail-out once though on a day when we thought the cropper chopper was going to crash (it landed down in the valley to scoop someone off Striding Egde), and my bike was more Cotic Sail than Soul.

One of my favourite routes up or down is via Seldom Seen

Shh.

Always a good look here too https://mobile.twitter.com/lakesweather/with_replies

There's not been much snow up there this winter (I did it in almost winter conditions in January tbf) and it's snow free currently I believe.

It's a Grade 1 scramble, but a ridge so you're not really climbing up stuff, rather than across. Other than the hard step it's a doddle, and as said above, it's all escapable. For me, I'd say it's a perfectly good first scramble as long as it's not wet and windy, but then I don't feel exposure and climb quite a lot.

I probably wouldn't take my dog on the edges though, and I take him out with me in the mountains a lot.