8:00am start with 17:30 return
10 miles / 16km with 3,350ft / 1,020m Total Ascent
At 950m/3,116ft, Helvellyn is the third highest mountain in England, one of only four that reach ‘Munro’ height. It is best climbed from the east by one of the twin arêtes that enclose the glacial corrie holding Red Tarn, so today our ascent route, weather permitting, will be via Striding Edge, followed by a traverse of the range as far as Raise before descending from Sticks Pass to the Greenside Road and Glenridding.
We start from Patterdale and follow the minor road from Grisedale Bridge into Grisedale for a short distance, crossing Grisedale Beck to take the path that climbs steadily across Grisedale Brow to reach the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall, basically a gate. The traverse of Striding Edge is rocky and very exposed in places and includes an easy down climb of some 15 metres at its far end before the final steep climb to Helvellyn´s summit plateau. It’s then northwards along the broad ridge from Lower Man over White Side and Raise to the Sticks Pass, from where we descend alongside Sticks Gill to the Greenside lead mines and Glenridding.
If weather conditions are poor (heavy rain/strong winds), we have the option of an alternative route to Helvellyn via Grisedale Tarn and Dollywaggon Pike, descending from White Side to the Greenside lead mines. This is slightly longer and involves an additional 90m/300ft of climbing.
The Knott & Angle Tarn with Val Walmsley
8miles / 12.9km with 2,000ft / 610m Total Ascent
Boredale Hause with Stuart Arnold
9 miles / 15km with 1350ft / 411m Total Ascent
Glenridding Valley and Lanty's with Jan Atkins & Barbara Gilbert
4½ to 5½ miles / 7.2 to 8.85km with 650ft / 198m Total Ascent
8miles / 12.9km with 2,000ft / 610m Total Ascent
Starting from Horseman Bridge we take a path east through Hartsop to past a series of small waterfalls. The path leads steadily upwards crossing a noisy beck under Gray Crag before crossing a footbridge by Hayeswater.
A dog leg path leads us to the base of The Knott which needs to be walked round to reach the northern flank for an easy push to summit where their are great views.
We descend below Rest Todd to Angle Tarn & continue down to Boredale Hause from where the path goes down to Side Farm, Patterdale and on into Glenridding.
9 miles / 15km with 1350ft / 411m Total Ascent
We leave the coach in Patterdale and cross over the fields to the path which leads us round the east side of Ullswater to the small community of Sandwich. We then walk on some minor roads and enter the Boredale valley.
We climb steadily up the valley up to the Hause where we have to do a little scrambling to reach the top. This is a tricky bit but one day I watched a man carry his mountain bike up so it's not too difficult.
We then drop down to Side farm and back down the road into Glenridding.
4½ to 5½ miles / 7.2 to 8.85km with 650ft / 198m Total Ascent
Whilst this is a C walk the climbing is slightly above the norm.
From the car park (toilets) we walk along the southern side of Glenridding Beck before crossing Rattlebeck Bridge and make our way to Greenside Road from here we walk uphill with Glenridding Screes to our right passing the Y.H.A hostel and mountain rescue post before arriving at the disused lead mine.
We then cross Glenridding Beck via a footbridge and traverse the lower slopes of Birkhouse Moor on the south side of the valley. On our way down there is a diversion to visit Lanty 's Tarn (for those who wish to do so) before making our way back to Glenridding for refreshments.
Just a note to say there is one slightly rocky patch to get over, where we will need to take care.