Glenridding via Striding Edge up Helvellyn: route map, distance and time

950 m · Lake District

Helvellyn is the highest point of the eastern Lake District fells, known for the Striding Edge and Swirral Edge ridges above Red Tarn.

A path climbs past Birkhouse Moor to the Hole-in-the-Wall, then follows the rocky crest of Striding Edge and up a steep rock step to the summit plateau.

Glenridding via Striding Edge at a glance

Distance	6.5 km one way, to the top
Ascent	801 m
Time up	2h 40m by Naismith's rule
There and back	3h 55m, down the same way
Grade	Scramble
Start	Glenridding village car park
Start grid reference	NY 367 173
Summit grid reference	NY 342 151

Glenridding via Striding Edge map

The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.

Height profile and getting to the start

Start grid ref NY 367 173 · Driving directions · By bus or train

Near the start

From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.

How long Glenridding via Striding Edge takes

Pace	To the top	There and back
Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up	2h 10m	3h 15m
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 50m

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.

Helvellyn summit weather for this route

Good Today Sunday 18 October

Mainly clear, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 28 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October

Light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.

Best day of the next seven for Glenridding via Striding Edge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 28 mph and a 0% chance of rain.

Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 16% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.

Hour-by-hour Helvellyn forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Helvellyn?

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 -6°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 Helvellyn

Helvellyn is the highest point of the eastern Lake District fells, known for the Striding Edge and Swirral Edge ridges above Red Tarn. More about Helvellyn, with the live forecast.

On the lists: Wainwright, Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.

Extend the walk: tops near the summit

Helvellyn Lower Man (925 m), 0.7 km north-west
Striding Edge (863 m), 0.8 km east
Nethermost Pike (891 m), 0.9 km south
Catstye Cam (890 m), 0.9 km north-east
White Side (863 m), 1.6 km north
Dollywaggon Pike (859 m), 2.1 km south

Challenges that include Helvellyn

More walks from Glenridding village car park

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

Glenridding via Red Tarn up Catstye Cam

Other routes up Helvellyn

Route	Distance	Ascent	Time up	Grade
Wythburn	3.8 km one way	760 m	2h 0m	Moderate
Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge	3.9 km one way	740 m	2h 0m	Hard
Glenridding via White Side and Keppel Cove walking paths	8.0 km one way	870 m	3h 5m	Hard
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause	11.6 km one way	—	—	Hard
Glenridding via Swirral Edge	4.5 km one way	668 m	2h 0m	Scramble

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 367 173, the summit at NY 342 151), 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.

Glenridding via Striding Edge: questions and answers

How far is Glenridding via Striding Edge?

Glenridding via Striding Edge is 6.5 km one way to the summit of Helvellyn, with 801 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.0 km.

How long does Glenridding via Striding Edge take?

About 2h 40m to the summit of Helvellyn 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 50m for the round trip.

Where do you park for Glenridding via Striding Edge?

Glenridding via Striding Edge starts from Glenridding village car park. The grid reference is NY 367 173.

Is Glenridding via Striding Edge suitable for beginners?

No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day, or take Wythburn instead.

What time should I start Glenridding via Striding Edge today?

By 13:12 at the latest. Sunset on Helvellyn today is 18:07, Glenridding via Striding Edge 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 Glenridding via Striding Edge?

Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).