Mountain (Hewitt), Wainwright, Nuttall, Marilyn & OS Trig Point Icon

Helvellyn
950m (3118ft)

The Eastern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England

The summit of Helvellyn is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.


Record Helvellyn as Bagged, Climbed & Conquered


English Mountain Icon

English Mountain
3rd highest in England,
12th in England & Wales

English Nuttall Icon

English Nuttall
4th highest in England,
14th in England & Wales

English Marilyn Icon

English Marilyn
2nd highest in England,
165th highest in Great Britain

English Trig Point Icon


English Trig Point (Pillar)

Walk Helvellyn walking UK Mountains in The Eastern Fells The Lake District National Park Cumbria, England

Helvellyn Summit

Photo: William Ringwood

You can find Helvellyn & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)

The Lake District National Park


1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (the ones with orange/yellow covers):

OL5 The English Lakes - North Eastern area


1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Map (the ones with pink/magenta covers):

90 Penrith & Keswick, Ambleside


See Helvellyn and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:

See Helvellyn and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Maps:

NB: Whether you print off a copy on to paper or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers Maps will prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal!


You can walk to the top of Helvellyn by using any of these 12 easy‑to‑follow route maps:
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Walk c432 Helvellyn from Thirlmere

The 'easiest' way up Lakeland's most climbed mountain

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 5ml (8km)
Ascent:2,649ft (807m)
Time:4½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk c427 Helvellyn via Striding Edge from Patterdale

Lakeland's 3rd highest via the infamous Striding Edge

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 8ml (12.5km)
Ascent:2,990ft (911m)
Time:6 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 6 Icon (Moderate)
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Walk c213 Helvellyn from Glenridding

Lakeland's 3rd highest via the infamous Striding & Swirral Edges - not for the faint hearted

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 8.5ml (13.5km)
Ascent:3,278ft (999m)
Time:6½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c113 Helvellyn from Thirlmere

Lakeland's most popular mountain

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 8.75ml (14km)
Ascent:3,296ft (1,005m)
Time:6½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c220 Helvellyn via Striding Edge from Glenridding

Lakeland's most climbed mountain via the infamous Striding Edge - not for the faint hearted

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 10ml (16km)
Ascent:3,382ft (1,031m)
Time:7 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c124 Helvellyn Ridge from Thirlmere

Lakeland's most popular mountain with a fine ridge walk

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 10.5ml (17km)
Ascent:3,575ft (1,090m)
Time:7½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c224 Helvellyn via Swirral Edge and Raise from Glenridding

Lakeland's most popular via the easier Swirral Edge

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 10.75ml (17km)
Ascent:3,449ft (1,051m)
Time:7.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 7 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c394 Helvellyn, Catstye Cam and Sheffield Pike from Glenridding

Superb high level walk

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 10ml (16km)
Ascent:4,020ft (1,225m)
Time:8 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 8 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c269 The Grisedale Horseshoe from Patterdale

Lakeland's most climbed mountain - not for the faint hearted

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 11.5ml (18.5km)
Ascent:4,582ft (1,396m)
Time:8.75hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 8 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c286 The Glenridding Skyline from Glenridding

Superb high level walk

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 11.5ml (18.5km)
Ascent:4,418ft (1,346m)
Time:8½ hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 8 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c192 Helvellyn Ridge from Glenridding

An exhilarating high ridge walk

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 13ml (21km)
Ascent:4,359ft (1,329m)
Time:9.25hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 8 Icon (Hard)
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Walk c264 The Grisedale Round from Patterdale

Superb high level ridge walk

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Vital Statistics:

Length: 13.25ml (21km)
Ascent:5,189ft (1,581m)
Time:10 hrs
Grade:Walk Grade 9 Icon (Very Hard)

Other walkers who hiked, climbed, bagged and summited Helvellyn Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Helvellyn

Tim Winn walked up Helvellyn on April 4th, 2025 [from/via/route] Glenridding [with] Barry, Paul, Roger, Dave and Andy Last [weather] Dry. Sunny.

Nick Tippins climbed Helvellyn on December 31st, 2019 [from/via/route] Helvellyn Circular from Glenridding via Birkhouse Moor, Striding Edge, & Catstye Cam [with] Fran

Hazel Gilbert bagged Helvellyn on May 12th, 2017 [with] Lawrence

Vincent Clarke hiked Helvellyn on May 31st, 2024 [from/via/route] Glenridding on route to Helvlynn [with] Chopper [weather] Early morning

Daniel Moran summited Helvellyn on June 20th, 2024 [from/via/route] Bagged a few times [with] chel wardy

Kate Peacock conquered Helvellyn on May 25th, 2024 [from/via/route] Parked at Wanthwaite as well as leaving a car at the end. Up via Clough Head. [with] Me, Sheila & Skye [weather] Sunny at times, breezy & cold when the sun was behind the clouds - Longest hike to date

Richard Fulcher scaled Helvellyn on May 20th, 2024 [from/via/route] Parked in Glenridding & set off along the path that follows Glenridding Beck on it's south side. Following the is path around the bend at the Youth Hostel this becomes the Red Tarn Beck path. I turned off this & ascended Catstycam up it's eastern shoulder whilst Jen took the easier Swirral Edge path. We met up on Swirral Edge & climbed over the steep rocky terrain up to the ridge & across to Helvellyn. After watching the cricket match in the mist (!) we then walked along to Nethermost Pike & further to Dollywaggon Pike (this was a mistake as it extended the walk too far for us & our level of fitness. We then returned to Helvellyn by the well trodden path along the ridge & then down to Lower Man & down & up to White Side. Jen then took the zigzag path down the side of Keppel Cove whilst I trudged up to Raise to bag my sixth Wainwright of this outing. I returned back down & followed Jen down the Keppel Cove path (right knee complaining). I eventually caught up with Jen at a bridge near to the old mine. We then completed the day's hike with a well deserved pint & meal (uhhg) at the Travellers Rest pub in Glenridding. A 12 hour walk … very tired with every muscle aching … but what a great day on the fells! [with] Jen [weather] Very sunny & warm to start with, turning cloudy & misty on the tops later.

Andrew Gayne walked up Helvellyn on May 20th, 2024 [with] Becky Gayne [weather] Cloudy Day on top - Walked up from Thirlmere, Swizels Car Park, cloudy at the top. Bizarrely a cricket match at the top going on for charity. Walked to Whiteside & Raise & dropped back down to Thirlmere.

Jason Mcmillan climbed Helvellyn on July 7th, 2021 [from/via/route] Helvellyn from Thirlmere

David Higginbottom bagged Helvellyn on November 16th, 2018 [from/via/route] Striding edge [with] Carolyn [weather] Good

To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record

. . . [see more walk reports]



More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Helvellyn

David Morecroft at the summit of Helvellyn

David Morecroft at the summit of Helvellyn

Photo: David Morecroft (18)

Steel Fell, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag below Seat Sandal (with Helvellyn and Fairfield in mist beyond) from Tarn Crag summit cairn

Steel Fell, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag below Seat Sandal (with Helvellyn and Fairfield in mist beyond) from Tarn Crag summit cairn

Photo: Tim Hope (63)

My husband just before tackling Sstriding Edge on Helvellyn

My husband just before tackling Sstriding Edge on Helvellyn

Photo: Kaz Bridges (1)

Striding Edge (Helvellyn)

Striding Edge (Helvellyn)

Photo: Richard Nicholls (38)

*The Helvellyn Ridge and St Sunday Crag from Fairfield

*The Helvellyn Ridge and St Sunday Crag from Fairfield

Photo: Andy Malcolm (14)

Me (in orange jacket) and my mate Neil on our way to the top of Helvellyn on a drizzly and bitterly cold day.

Me (in orange jacket) and my mate Neil on our way to the top of Helvellyn on a drizzly and bitterly cold day.

Photo: David LeHunte (2)

Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam from Hole-in-the-Wall

Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam from Hole-in-the-Wall

Photo: Alan Wainwright (11)

This is me scrambling to the summit of Helvellyn after surviving Striding Edge!

This is me scrambling to the summit of Helvellyn after surviving Striding Edge!

Photo: Paula Oldham (4)

Red Tarn and Striding Edge from Helvellyn

Red Tarn and Striding Edge from Helvellyn

Photo: Roy Smith (2)

Swirral Edge (Helvellyn) and Catstye Cam

Swirral Edge (Helvellyn) and Catstye Cam

Photo: Iain Macdonald (3)

Raise (Helvellyn) from White Side

Raise (Helvellyn) from White Side

Photo: Roy Smith (4)

Helvellyn and Fairfield from Holme Fell

Helvellyn and Fairfield from Holme Fell

Photo: Raymond Brown (26)

White Side from Helvellyn Lower Man

White Side from Helvellyn Lower Man

Photo: Ian McCutcheon (10)

Grisedale with Birks beyond from near the Hole-in-the-wall between Birkhouse Moor and Helvellyn

Grisedale with Birks beyond from near the Hole-in-the-wall between Birkhouse Moor and Helvellyn

Photo: Brian Balfe (14)

Helvellyn (centre) from Hart Crag

Helvellyn (centre) from Hart Crag

Photo: Mike Walker (332)

Striding Edge from the top of Helvellyn

Striding Edge from the top of Helvellyn

Photo: Iain Macdonald (4)

Red Tarn (Helvellyn) from Striding Edge

Red Tarn (Helvellyn) from Striding Edge

Photo: Ian Gaylard (9)

Chelmsford YHA members on Fairfield looking to Helvellyn, Striding Edge and Catstycam

Chelmsford YHA members on Fairfield looking to Helvellyn, Striding Edge and Catstycam

Photo: Judi Friend (2)

Striding Edge (Helvellyn)

Striding Edge (Helvellyn)

Photo: Richard Nicholls (37)

On the summit of Helvellyn

On the summit of Helvellyn

Photo: Dean Richardson (6)


. . . see all 224 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Helvellyn


Send us your photographs and pictures on, of, or from Helvellyn

If you would like to add your walk photographs and pictures featuring views from, on or of Helvellyn to this page, please send them as email attachments (configured for any computer) along with your name to:



and we shall do our best to publish them.

(Guide Resolution = 300dpi. At least = 660pixels (wide) x 440 pixels (high).)

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NB. Please indicate where each photo was taken.






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