Helm Crag, Calf Crag and Steel fell from Grasmere
Helm Crag gives you the Lion and the Lamb, the most recognisable summit rocks in the Lakes, and the ridge beyond turns a short outing into a proper little horseshoe above Grasmere.
Mostly runnable, with some steep sections you'll likely walk.
An 11.3km loop from Grasmere over Helm Crag and along the ridge above Far Easedale, with around 540m of climbing. A compact fell round with the famous Lion and the Lamb summit rocks at its high point.
Helm Crag gives you the Lion and the Lamb, the most recognisable summit rocks in the Lakes, and the ridge beyond turns a short outing into a proper little horseshoe above Grasmere.
The route
Start in Grasmere and climb steeply out of the village onto Helm Crag, gaining around 540m across 11.3km. From the summit the route follows the ridge over Gibson Knott and towards Calf Crag, curving round the head of Far Easedale before dropping back to the valley. It is short in distance but honest in climb, packing a full fell round into a morning.
The summit
Helm Crag is only 405m, but it punches far above its height thanks to the shattered rocks on its crown, known the world over as the Lion and the Lamb. The true top is a short scramble that many leave untouched, though the summit area itself is easily reached. Beyond it, the ridge to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag is quieter and rougher, a switchback of little tops and boggy cols with fine views down Far Easedale and across to the Fairfield skyline.
Why it works
This is a route with a lot of reward for its length. The climb is stiff but brief, the ridge is genuine fell running with plenty of ups and downs, and Grasmere at the foot gives you cafes, the famous gingerbread and easy parking. Underfoot it is a mix of good path low down and rougher, wetter ground along the ridge, so it earns its keep. Navigation is straightforward in clear weather but the ridge needs care in cloud, where the little tops and path junctions can confuse. Save the summit scramble for dry rock, and take the ridge rather than retracing your steps to get the best of the day. It works year round, but a crisp autumn morning with the bracken turning is hard to beat. As a first proper fell round from Grasmere it is hard to better, giving you a summit, a ridge and a valley in one tidy loop.
The true summit of Helm Crag is an exposed rock scramble best left in the wet. The ridge to Calf Crag is rough and boggy with junctions that confuse in cloud, so carry a map. Steep ground on the descent is slick after rain.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
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