Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge 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 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 734 m over 3.9 km to 943 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 0.9 km eases to the top. About 46% 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 | 3.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 740 m |
| Climb on the track | 734 m up, 11 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 221 m to 945 m (summit 950 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 1.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 46% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Swirls car park, Thirlmere |
| Start grid reference | NY 317 168 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 342 151 |
| 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 |
| 3.9 km | 943 m | +39 m | 4% | NY 342 150 |
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 | 1h 40m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 25m |
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 14:17 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:15 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m 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 the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge: 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
- Lake District 3000ers · 4
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
- County Tops · 88
- Marilyns · 1,555
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 Dollywaggon Pike
- 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 Helvellyn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wythburn | 3.8 km one way | 760 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| 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 Striding Edge | 6.5 km one way | 801 m | 2h 40m | Scramble |
| 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 317 168, 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.
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 3.9 km one way to the summit of Helvellyn, with 740 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.8 km.
How long does the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Helvellyn and 2h 50m 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 3h 25m 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 46% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge climbs 734 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 Wythburn.
What time should I start the Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge today?
By 14:17 at the latest. Sunset on Helvellyn today is 18:07, The Swirls via the Helvellyn summit ridge takes about 2h 50m 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.