This is a classic grade 1 scramble in the Lake District, one of the most famous in the United Kingdom.
It involves a reasonably sized ridge walk, with mainly simple moves and 1 short downclimb.
Summer duration: 4-6 hours (be careful in the wet, as it can get quite slippy).
Winter conditions: This route is dangerous in the snow or ice, and so should only be attempted in those conditions by those with the right experience and equipment.
Parking: Ullswater Information Centre (Google Maps)
Route Map
The route follows Mires Beck up from Glenridding, onto Striding Edge, takes in the Helvellyn summit, and then descends Swirral Edge, to then come back on the path ascended (Mires Beck).
Approach
Park around the Ullswater Information Centre (there is overflow parking for when busy), and make your way up Greenside Road, past the Travellers Rest and then follow the road around a left hand turn.
Continue across a bridge, take the right hand fork next to a small stream, and eventually you will ascend to a gate. Take a left here, and follow this path all the way to the top (it follows via Mires Beck for a period).
You will soon see the summit of Helvellyn in the distance, with the left hand edge being Striding Edge (and the right hand Swirral Edge).
First Sighting
As you come over the top of the crest, you see the summit of Helvellyn in the distance, a very impressive sight!
Follow the path as it weaves the way towards the left hand edge (Striding Edge), steadily increasing in steepness until you’re on the ridge itself.
How To Scramble Striding Edge
Once you’re on the ridge itself, Striding Edge offers a route for every ability. You can scramble the ridge directly, taking on the most difficult challenges along the way, or you can follow the right hand path that avoids the majority of the difficult moves.
Certain parts can be ascended and descended via different lines to get the most fun out of it, and at the end there is a continuation on the right that takes you all the way to the summit of Helvellyn.
Descent
The most interesting descent from Helvellyn is to follow Swirral Edge back down to the path where you started Striding Edge. It offers light scrambling with options to choose your own route down.
After you reach the ascent path, follow it back down to the car.
Recommended Guidebook & Map
The best guidebook for this route is found in the Cicerone guide Scrambles in the Lake District North, available via Paperback or Kindle Book on Amazon here.
The best map for this route is the Ordnance Survey OL5, The English Lakes, North-Eastern Area available on Amazon here.
Recommended Scrambling Guide: (coming soon)
Recommended Accommodation
There are a wealth of options to stay in Glenridding and the surrounding area, so it really depends on what sort of thing you’re looking for.
You can compare the best hotels, hostels and appartments in Glenridding on Booking.com here.
Route Info
| Distance | 11.06 km |
| Elevation | 810m +/- |
| Duration | 4 - 6 hours |
| Grade | 1*** |
| Transport | Car, Bus - Glenridding |
Navigation
| Guidebook | Best Book |
| Maps | Best Map |
| Guided Tours | Guides |
| Accommodation | Where To Stay? |
| Contributor | Who Contributed? |
Route Contributed by: Matt Jackson
This route was created by Matt Jackson and donated to the UK Scrambles website through our contributor program.
This generosity enables us to publish a whole range of scrambling routes to help you enjoy the outdoors.
If you have a route you could contribute, submit it to us today.
You can view other routes Matt has contributed here.
Is this route up and down completed withing 4 hours or just four hours to get to the top.?????
It really depends on your fitness levels and how often you stop. I’ve adjusted it to 4-6 hours so it’s more accurate for a mainstream audience. The BMC have it as 3-6 hours.
Did the edge 1986 didn’t know what was doing! Very pleased with myself now as I realise how dangerous it can be. Thanks for the memories. Nicole (definitely NOT a professional walker).
My first time up there was in the summer of 1969, walked from Limfit Park in Ambleside.
We got the bus back. 🙂
I did Striding Edge to Helvellyn summit during the late 1970s, during developing mist. As I approached the edge. I joined a couple with two young boys, who seemed to know the route better than myself. [I may not have continued on, alone this first time. I would warn any first-timers to treat both Helvellyn edges with respect. Accidents can happen in any weather].
Spending the previous night in Patterdale YHA (which I well recommend), I had also booked the next night at Grasmere YHA; so I HAD to carry on from the summit Westward via Dollywagon Pike; across the main road and into Grasmere village. From the summit onwards, I had very heavy rain.
I enjoyed this route far better than returning towards Glenridding. There is also a very nice walk from Grasmere YHA, turn right, then over the fells [via Sour Milk Falls], to the Langdale Valley, and a welcoming pint, the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.
I would also recommend a pint or two on the steamer ‘Raven’ whilst in the Glenridding – Ullswater area.
I must say again what a wonderful resource this website is. Thanks to all involved.
Jack.