Get Lost Mountaineering

Helvellyn via Striding Edge, Nethermost Pike & Dollywaggon Pike

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

16 km     About 6 – 7 hours

Peaks

Birkhouse Moor, 718 m, NY 364 160.

Helvellyn, 950 m, NY 342 151.

Nethermost Pike, 891 m, NY 344 142.

Dollywaggon Pike, 858 m, NY 346 131.    OS 1: 50 000 , Sheet 90.

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

Introduction

This is a middling walk, possible on a mid-winter's day if you can set off early. 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. From the end of Striding Edge the route up on to the Helvellyn plateau is somewhat eroded but should not present any difficulties in good conditions. From Helvellyn, the rest of the route is on easy paths although some of the path down Grisedale is loose and stony. 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.

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/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 rising 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. There is a memorial cairn on the crest but it would not be seen by anyone on a path below the crest. 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) Retrace back to the shelter cairn and continue S along an obvious path which descends to a shallow col after which it splits into 3 paths. The left one is probably best as it gives good views of Striding Edge, etc. A flat cairned area is reached then, after a further rise, the large summit cairn is reached which marks the summit of Nethermost Pike, 891 m.

(4) Descend S to a deepish col then ascend following the corrie rim on the left. Follow this up to reach a cairn which is the N top. Continue, after a shallow dip, curving around to the left to reach a large cairn. About 40 m further ENE is a smaller cairn which seems to be slightly higher so this is the summit of Dollywaggon Pike, 858 m.

(5) Descend SW to intercept a major path which leads down to Grisedale Tarn with much of the way stepped. The path does not quite go to the tarn but goes NE to start down Grisedale. The path is rough and loose in places which makes for slow going. It passes a stone climbing hut known as Ruthwaite Lodge. Lower down are two bridges. Ignore the first but cross the second and continue down. Eventually, the path becomes a track then a tarmac road which leads down to the A592 at Grisedale Bridge about halfway between Patterdale and Glenridding. Turn left and follow the road, there is a footpath, back to Glenridding.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 19^th September, 2015.

(b) 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.