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

Helvellyn
950m (3118ft)

The Eastern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England


Tap/mouse over a coloured circle (1-3 easy walks, 4-6 moderate walks, 7-9 hard walks) and click to select.



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

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

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

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

Kate Peacock hiked 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 summited 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 conquered 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 scaled Helvellyn on July 7th, 2021 [from/via/route] Helvellyn from Thirlmere

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

Iain Jones climbed Helvellyn on April 16th, 2011 [from/via/route] Swirral Edge [with] Jim Hamilton, Oliver Sage, Alex Walker, James Cunnington & Rob Argent - 29 March 2013 - via Brown Cove Crags (Winter Climb) with Graeme High & Ralph Simpson; 05 August 2017 - The Wainwright 60 - Day 3 (Helvellyn); 02 December 2023 - via Swirral Edge with Fell Top Assessor

Richard Beardsley bagged Helvellyn on October 23rd, 2023 [from/via/route] Swirls car park. [with] Myself, Paula, Andy and Dylan. [weather] Nice fine day but cold. - Commenced walk at 0800hrs from Swirls car park. Route taken to Helvellyn was via Dollywagon Pike & Nethermost Pike.

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

The aircraft memorial on Helvellyn

The aircraft memorial on Helvellyn

Photo: Alan Wainwright (37)

Sarah on top of Helvellyn

Sarah on top of Helvellyn

Photo: Sarah Harrison (3)

My husband just before tackling Sstriding Edge on Helvellyn

My husband just before tackling Sstriding Edge on Helvellyn

Photo: Kaz Bridges (1)

Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Red Tarn taken from Hole-in-the-Wall at the beginning of Striding Edge

Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Red Tarn taken from Hole-in-the-Wall at the beginning of Striding Edge

Photo: Stella Whittaker (13)

Towards Helvellyn from Sheffield Pike

Towards Helvellyn from Sheffield Pike

Photo: David Hayter (333)

Striding Edge, (left), Helvellyn and Catstye Cam (right) from Birkhouse Moor

Striding Edge, (left), Helvellyn and Catstye Cam (right) from Birkhouse Moor

Photo: Christian Sky (1)

A very snowy Helvellyn in early March!

A very snowy Helvellyn in early March!

Photo: Peter Dodds (1)

Helvellyn, Red Tarn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam from Striding Edge

Helvellyn, Red Tarn, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam from Striding Edge

Photo: Alan Wainwright (14)

Starting the descent from Helvellyn via Swirral Edge

Starting the descent from Helvellyn via Swirral Edge

Photo: Mike Hall (3)

Ullswater, Glenridding and the Helvellyn Ridge from Place Fell

Ullswater, Glenridding and the Helvellyn Ridge from Place Fell

Photo: Robbie Breadner (2)

The Helvellyn Massiff under a deep blanket of snow from the lower slopes<br>of Pike of Blisco (Pike o' Blisco)

The Helvellyn Massiff under a deep blanket of snow from the lower slopes
of Pike of Blisco (Pike o' Blisco)

Photo: Simon Barnett (57)

Raise (Helvellyn) summit cairn

Raise (Helvellyn) summit cairn

Photo: Christine Shepherd (889)

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)

Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn from Cofa Pike near the summit of Fairfield

Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn from Cofa Pike near the summit of Fairfield

Photo: Rob Barklamb (3)

On Raise (Helvellyn)

On Raise (Helvellyn)

Photo: Paul Coulter (12)

Catstye Cam and Ullswater from Helvellyn

Catstye Cam and Ullswater from Helvellyn

Photo: Christine Shepherd (524)

Walkers on Swirral Edge from the summit of Helvellyn

Walkers on Swirral Edge from the summit of Helvellyn

Photo: Craig Carter (7)

Great Langdale and Blea Rigg with The Helvellyn Massiff in the distance under a deep blanket of snow from the lower slopes of Pike of Blisco (Pike o' Blisco)

Great Langdale and Blea Rigg with The Helvellyn Massiff in the distance under a deep blanket of snow from the lower slopes of Pike of Blisco (Pike o' Blisco)

Photo: Simon Barnett (56)

The footbridge over Helvellyn Gill at The Swirls Car Park, Thirlmere

The footbridge over Helvellyn Gill at The Swirls Car Park, Thirlmere

Photo: Craig Carter (6)

Starting the climb from Striding Edge up onto Helvellyn

Starting the climb from Striding Edge up onto Helvellyn

Photo: Terry Maddocks (3)


. . . 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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