Helvellyn snow walk via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge. One of the best Lake District winter walks

Looking back over the mighty Striding Edge near the summit of Helvellyn. What a glorious day for a winter walk in the Lake District and the dusting of snow makes this iconic view look even more impressive.

Helvellyn snow walk via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge - Map Route

Hevellyn is one of the Lake Districts best and most well-known walks and is a superb destination for a hike any time of year. However, when the snow arrives it makes it look extra special and adds an extra challenge (and element of danger).

The route I took on this occasion is from Glenridding and ascends via Striding Edge and from the summit of Helvellyn we descend via Swirral Edge and onto Catstye Cam and then back to Glenridding. This Helvellyn route is a pretty short Helvellyn route at 7.8 miles - but the snow and ice make it slower going than usual and due to the limited daylight hours it's best to keep the distance (and time down) as much as possible. I couldn't resist heading up to Catstye Cam though as the sun was setting and lighting up the Helvellyn summit. To save time and distance Catstye Cam can be missed out on this route.

Helvellyn walk via Striding Edge overview:

Helvellyn walk distance: 7.8mile
Helvellyn walk time: 5.5 hours
Helvellyn walk difficulty: Hard

Helvellyn walk via Striding Edge map route:

This superb Helvellyn walk starts in Glenridding and ascends via Lanty's Tarn, along the iconic Striding Edge (I always like to go along Striding Edge on the ascent before a scramble up to the summit of Helvellyn). The route descends via Swirral Edge and onto Catstye Cam for more great views, before heading back to Glenridding via Patterdale Common. For me this is simply the best way to take on Helvellyn. View full interactive map route below on OS Maps

If you don't have a Phone Map App - I really recommend the one by Ordnance Survey. You can download route maps to your phone such as this one and the app will show you exactly where you are on the route even when you have no signal - so no more taking a wrong turn :-)

Helvellyn snow walk photos:

Not long after setting off from Glenriding we get great views of Ullswater and Place Fell. Not a drop of snow at this level, but as you gain height the temperature soon drops and any snow can linger around for quite a while on the higher Lake District fells.

Once past Birkhouse Moor, Striding Edge and Helvellyn comes into view and we approach the snow line.

When you arrive at the start of Striding Edge it's a great chance to admire the views back towards Ullswater and the Pennines.

The iconic Striding Edge in full view! There's not lots of snow on Striding Edge today - it's more icey right on top of the ridge line, with the snow hanging around more on the northern face which doesn't catch the sun.

The north face of Striding Edge has a lot more snow on it than the south face.

We are walking quite a bit on ice and thin snow now and spikes to strap onto the hiking boots come in handy (crampons would be too much for these conditions)

These are the kind of spikes I place over my hiking boots when I know I'll be walking on ice and thin snow cover, where crampons will be too much. These kind of spikes are really good at stopping you slip - and have got me out of some tricky situations a number of times. For £20 or so they are an essential bit of kit to keep in your rucksack in winter conditions. You can buy these from many independent hiking shops or even on the likes of amazon - visit https://amzn.to/3jhqyzD

The snow is hanging around quite a bit on parts of Striding Edge that are out of the sun.

You've got to be careful and sure footed on this section - a slip could be quite dangerous

With Striding Edge now complete it's a scramble up to the summit in ever deepening snow. My favourite views on this walk are on this section looking back over Striding Edge.

My favourite place to stop and soak up the views. I could have got away without the ice axe today - but I always think it should be took when hiking in the snow as you never know when you might need it.

Approaching the summit of Helvellyn and the snow is quite thick up here.

The summit shelter - always a welcome respite when the wind is blowing

Incredible views today in all directions from the summit of Helvellyn - what a day to be out on the snowy fells!

Be careful of the cornices on summit tops when the snow can be wind blown to the edge - you might think it's solid ground here - but it's just snow and you could be heading through it for a fall

The summit cairn on Helvellyn - looking towards Ullswater

Looking north towards Skiddaw and Blencathra

Starting to descend on Swirral Edge now and looking over towards Striding Edge

The weather changes in an instant and the clouds roll in - a good time to be heading back down and got lucky that it was clear on the summit of Helvellyn

Looking back up Swirral Edge and to the summit of Helvellyn - it's approaching sunset time and the colours are immense

On top of Catstye Cam looking towards Ullswater

Looking back along Swirral Edge to Helvellyn from Catstye cam

As the light begins to fade it's one last chance to admire the views and then head back as quick as possible while daylight is still around!

Hope you enjoyed that write up and it inspires you to visit Helvellyn in the snow! The right conditions don't align often (snow and clear blue skies) so you've got to seize them while you can!

Helvellyn walk best routes lake district

If you've never done a Helvellyn walk before, then this blog post post shares the 4 best Helvellyn walking routes. Click here to learn more

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

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