Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Dollywaggon Pike: route map, distance and time
859 m · Cumbria
Dollywaggon Pike is the southern end of the Helvellyn ridge, rising above Grisedale Tarn, and most walkers climb it on the way to Helvellyn.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Swirls car park, Thirlmere.
The Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge starts at about 222 m and gains 807 m over 6.3 km to 850 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 241 m (24%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 323 m at an average of 32%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.6 km at about 36%. The final 0.3 km eases to the top. About 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge at a glance
| Distance | 6.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 820 m |
| Climb on the track | 807 m up, 177 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 221 m to 945 m (summit 859 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 1.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 31% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Swirls car park, Thirlmere |
| Start grid reference | NY 317 168 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 346 130 |
| Parking | Swirls car park, Thirlmere |
Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 463 m | +241 m | 24% steep | NY 324 164 |
| 2 km | 786 m | +323 m | 32% steep | NY 329 158 |
| 3 km | 904 m | +118 m | 12% | NY 337 153 |
| 4 km | 935 m | +31 m | 3% | NY 342 150 |
| 5 km | 887 m | -48 m | -5% | NY 343 140 |
| 6 km | 832 m | -56 m | -6% | NY 344 131 |
| 6.3 km | 850 m | +18 m | 7% | NY 346 130 |
How long the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 4h 45m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 13:12 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:10 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Dollywaggon Pike summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 27 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 42 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 27 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Dollywaggon Pike forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Dollywaggon Pike?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Dollywaggon Pike
Dollywaggon Pike is the southern end of the Helvellyn ridge, rising above Grisedale Tarn, and most walkers climb it on the way to Helvellyn. More about Dollywaggon Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Nethermost Pike (891 m), 1.2 km north
- Seat Sandal (737 m), 1.5 km south
- Fairfield (873 m), 1.8 km south-east
- Striding Edge (863 m), 1.9 km north
- Helvellyn (950 m), 2.1 km north
- St Sunday Crag (841 m), 2.3 km east
Challenges that include Dollywaggon Pike
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
More walks from Swirls car park, Thirlmere
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Helvellyn
- Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Nethermost Pike
- Swirls via Lower Man and White Side up Raise
- Swirls via Lower Man and White Side up White Side
- Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge up Helvellyn Lower Man
Other routes up Dollywaggon Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasmere via Tongue Gill and Grisedale Tarn | 5.4 km one way | 938 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
| Patterdale via Grisedale | 8.7 km one way | 729 m | 2h 55m | Moderate |
| Wythburn western walking ascent | 4.7 km one way | 760 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
| Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause | 9.4 km one way | 820 m | 3h 15m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 317 168, the summit at NY 346 130), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge?
The Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge is 6.3 km one way to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike, with 820 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.6 km.
How long does the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge take?
About 2h 40m to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike and 3h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 36%, starting 1.6 km from the start, and 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge climbs 807 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge?
The Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge starts from Swirls car park, Thirlmere. The grid reference is NY 317 168. Swirls car park, Thirlmere
Is the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Grasmere via Tongue Gill and Grisedale Tarn.
What time should I start the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge today?
By 13:12 at the latest. Sunset on Dollywaggon Pike today is 18:07, The Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge takes about 3h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.