Wythburn 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 pitched path climbs steep grassy slopes through the plantation and onto the broad ridge south of the summit.
Wythburn starts at about 189 m and gains 750 m over 3.8 km to 943 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 252 m (25%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 268 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.9 km at about 32%. It keeps climbing at 11% to the top. About 57% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Wythburn at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 760 m |
| Climb on the track | 750 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 190 m to 943 m (summit 950 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 0.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 57% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Wythburn church car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 324 136 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 342 151 |
| Parking | Wythburn church car park |
Wythburn 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.
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.
Wythburn 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 | 441 m | +252 m | 25% steep | NY 331 135 |
| 2 km | 710 m | +268 m | 27% steep | NY 337 136 |
| 3 km | 858 m | +148 m | 15% | NY 342 143 |
| 3.8 km | 943 m | +85 m | 11% | NY 342 150 |
How long Wythburn 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 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 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 14:22 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:20 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m 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 Wythburn: 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 Wythburn church car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wythburn western walking ascent up Dollywaggon Pike
- Wythburn up Nethermost Pike
Other routes up Helvellyn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 324 136, 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.
Wythburn: questions and answers
How far is Wythburn?
Wythburn is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Helvellyn, with 760 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does Wythburn take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Helvellyn and 2h 45m 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 Wythburn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 0.9 km from the start, and 57% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Wythburn climbs 750 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Wythburn?
Wythburn starts from Wythburn church car park. The grid reference is NY 324 136. Wythburn church car park
Is Wythburn suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Wythburn today?
By 14:22 at the latest. Sunset on Helvellyn today is 18:07, Wythburn takes about 2h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Wythburn?
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.