Get Lost Mountaineering

Helvellyn & Catstye Cam via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge

from Glenridding

Start/Finish

Glenridding Village at the south end of Ullswater. There is an expensive public car park, with the same charges all year round, but out of season parking is allowed on some nearby roads. Please do not park where residents could be inconvenienced.

Distance/Time

15 km      About 6 – 7 hours

Peaks

Birkhouse Moor, 718 m, NY 364 160.

Helvellyn, 950 m, NY 342 151.

Catstye Cam, 890 m, NY 348 158.      OS 1: 50 000 , Sheet 90.

OS 1: 25 000 Outdoor Leisure 5, English Lake District NE Area.

Introduction

This is a shortish walk, ideal for a mid-winter's day. However, Striding Edge, the continuation to Helvellyn and the descent of Swirral Edge are major undertakings in winter conditions and are only for the experienced winter walker under such conditions. Having said that, if there is no snow or ice and it is a dry and clear day, this route should be well within the capability of an experienced summer walker who could have the mountains to himself whereas in summer, the route can be exceptionally busy. Despite its reputation, Striding Edge is relatively straight forward if the rock is dry. There are several paths below the crest for those who find the crest itself somewhat unnerving. Swirral Edge has a steeper crest but is no more difficult than Striding Edge. On a clear day, views are extensive to most of the high Lakeland peaks including the Scafell range, Langdale ranges, Skiddaw and Blencathra and the High Street range. Closer hills such as Fairfield, St. Sunday Crag, Sheffield Pike and Place Fell dominate the near landscape. It would be very easy to miss out Catstye Cam but many regard it as the finest peak in the Helvellyn range.

Route

(1) From Glenridding village, walk up the road to the N of the car park and to the N of Glenridding Beck. Continue past the Traveller's Rest public house. When the tarmac road swings right, continue ahead on a rougher road cum track signposted for Gillside Camp Site. Continue across the bridge over Glenridding Beck, just past Rattlebeck Cottage, then follow the signs, not obvious, for Helvellyn via Mires Beck. If it is clear, Mires Beck will be obvious risng SW from here. It is a moderately steep climb, on a good path, to reach a wall which is followed for a short while before the main path goes off to the right across less steep ground before returning to the wall higher up. A little further on, is a medium cairn which marks the summit of Birkhouse Moor, 718 m. In clear weather, the summit will be obvious but not so in mist.

(2) Continue along the crest, following the wall. There is little descent before the ground rises again to reach a stile just before the “Hole in the Wall” which is a gap in a wall now filled by a smaller stile. Do not cross either stile but continue on the crest. Either follow the crest or continue on the path on the N side. The tops of Bleaberry Crags and Low Spying How are passed before the start of Striding Edge at about High Spying How. In dry, calm and clear conditions, many will follow the crest. Other choices offer a path just below the crest on the N side and a better one slightly lower. The crest is rocky but of no major difficulty in good conditions. About two thirds along, the good path crosses the crest to the S side and can be followed if one wishes. A little further is what many consider to be the “crux” of the edge: a scramble down a short, open rocky chimney/groove. The good path avoids this scramble. Once down the groove, you are in a small col which is effectively the end of Striding Edge. Helvellyn lies directly ahead and several paths offer varying routes up its E flank. Again, it is worth staying on the crest if possible. After a stiff ascent, the angle eases and one emerges on the Helvellyn plateau where a memorial stone is soon passed. Continue on the path along the right hand, E, edge to reach a large shelter cairn in the shape of a cross. This offers the only shelter on the plateau. A little further is a large cairn which marks the summit of Helvellyn, 950 m. A little further still is the trig point which seems to be slightly lower than the summit cairn.

(3) Continue along the crest still following the E edge. Soon reach a large cairn which is where a path drops moderately steeply to Swirral Edge. Take this path and follow it to the col before Catstye Cam. There are some alternative paths on Swirral Edge for those who do not wish to stay on the crest. Further along Swirral Edge, when it has become more grassy, the main path lies below the crest on the S side so be careful not to go too far and miss the path up Catstye Cam. Take the good path up Catstye Cam and ascend easily. Just before the top, a path goes off to the right which will be used for the descent. Just after this path, a large cairn marks the summit of Catstye Cam, 890 m. If you wish to miss out Catstye Cam, stay on the path on the S side of the crest.

(4) Descend down the path just before the summit and follow this to join the very obvious path* coming from both Red Tarn and the Swirral Edge – Catstye Cam col. Turn right and walk to the cairn just before Red Tarn. From here, go almost due E, on another very obvious path which traverses across to rejoin the outward route at the about The Hole in the Wall. Retrace the outward route over Birkhouse Moor and down Mires Beck. There is another cairn at the NE end of Birkhouse Moor on a faint, but obvious path which leaves the main path on a corner. This is well worth a detour as it is a fine view point. From the cairn retrace to the main path or cut across easy open ground.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 27^th November, 2013, 1^stDecember, 2013, 18^th May, 2014, and many times previously.

(b) * From the Red Tarn path it is possible to follow this path down Glenridding Beck but this is a slightly longer route. Follow the path down to where there is a bridge over the main beck just before a small dam. If you wish to walk down the Greenside road, cross over and follow the road back to Glenridding. A better alternative is to stay on the S side of the beck and follow the higher of two obvious paths (the lower one follows a wall) which is an old miners' track. This can be followed to where a short wall across it suggests you descend to the lower path. It is possible to continue but there has been a small rock fall then a slippery slab before descending to the lower path just before the gate.

(c) An alternative route from Glenridding is to walk back to the main road and go up the S side, where the shops are, to come out just above Rattlebeck bridge.