Trail Running Planet · Lake District · Helvellyn
Helvellyn from Thirlmere
You gain the summit of a 950m Wainwright in well under an hour of climbing, then drop back to the car on grass you can really open up on.
Distance
10.7 km
Ascent
812 m
Descent
809 m
Max elevation
945 m
Route type
Loop
Est. time
1h 55m – 2h 35m
Grade
Very Hard
Navigation
map_skills
Parking
CA12 4TW
Dogs
Welcome
Best seasons
spring, summer, autumn
About this route
A direct 10.7km loop from Swirls car park on Thirlmere to the summit of Helvellyn (950m), with 812m of climb. The shortest honest line to England's third highest fell.
Hazards & notes
The summit plateau is featureless in cloud and the corniced east face drops sheer to Red Tarn, so keep well back from the edge in winter. The upper path is rocky and exposed to weather coming over the top.
Emergency
Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → request Mountain Rescue. Register Emergency SMS: text "register" to 999.
Full route, GPX download & live conditions:
https://trailrunningplanet.com/routes/england/lake-district/helvellyn/helvellyn-from-thirlmere
trailrunningplanet.com