Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge from Patterdale

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 824m 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.