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The Big Smile UK Helvellyn

17. Helvellyn

Date: 13/07/2021

Meeting Point: Patterdale Hotel Car Park, Patterdale, CA11 0NN

Perhaps the most iconic mountain in the Lake District and recently voted Britain’s best walk, Helvellyn needs no introduction.

Our approach starts in Patterdale, where we stay low and follow a trail towards Glenridding. We cross the Glenridding Beck and head up the valley to Glenridding Common, from where we climb all the way up to Whiteside at 863 metres.

We stay high and continue on the path to Lower Man, and then finally onto Helvellyn itself, with glorious panoramic views and the famous amphitheatre-shaped slope. We see Striding and Swirral edges, and Red Tarn nestled at the foot of the slopes.

From here we come down onto Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike, before dropping down to Grisedale Tarn and following Grisedale Beck back to our start point.

A magnificent fell walk over several Wainwrights and a great challenge for anyone wishing to do a mountain stage.

Distance:  18.7 km (11.62 miles)

Difficulty Rating: ★★★★

Walk Details

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