Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge from Patterdale
This is the postcard round of Helvellyn: up the knife-edge of Striding Edge, across the 950m summit, and down Swirral with Red Tarn below the whole way.
This is the postcard round of Helvellyn: up the knife-edge of Striding Edge, across the 950m summit, and down Swirral with Red Tarn below the whole way.
The classic 12.7km eastern circuit of Helvellyn from the Patterdale and Glenridding side, up Striding Edge and down Swirral Edge over Red Tarn, with 458m of climb.
The route
This is the route most people picture when they think of Helvellyn. From the Glenridding and Patterdale side you climb past Lanty's Tarn and out along the Hole-in-the-Wall to gain Striding Edge from the east. The traverse of the arete is the heart of the day, a rocky grade 1 scramble that leads to a short steep step onto the summit plateau at 950m. You then descend the rocky chute of Swirral Edge to the saddle by Catstye Cam and curve back above Red Tarn to the start. It is only 12.7km with 458m of climb, but the ground does the talking.
The edges
Striding Edge is the most famous arete in England and Swirral Edge its shorter, steeper sibling. Both are exposed, both are grade 1, and both are serious in wind or ice. A bypass path runs below the crest of Striding Edge for the worst of the exposure, but the top line is where the route earns its name. The little down-climb off the summit onto Swirral catches people out, so face in and take it steadily.
Why it works
Doing Striding up and Swirral down is the logical, safest direction and keeps Red Tarn in view throughout. Helvellyn is a Wainwright of the Eastern Fells and the high point of the whole eastern chain, with Catstye Cam (890m) sitting a couple of minutes off the Swirral saddle if you want to bag it too. The approach past Lanty's Tarn and the Hole-in-the-Wall is runnable and gentle, lulling you before the rock begins. The running is in the approach and the run-off; the middle is hands-on and slow, so treat the stats as a guide, not a promise. This is the busiest high fell in England, so an early or out-of-season start pays off both for solitude and for clear passage along the arete when the crest is hands-on.
Striding Edge and Swirral Edge are exposed grade 1 scrambles with fatal fall potential, and the step off the summit onto Swirral is awkward. Avoid in strong wind, wet rock or any winter conditions without axe and crampons.
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