An inevitable hike, to the most popular peak of the Lake District, Helwellyn. A hike made all the more pleasant by passing along two lakes: Red Tarn Lake and Grisedale Ran Lake.
Calculated time: 7h05[?] 
Distance : 15.86km
Vertical gain : 897m
Vertical drop : 891m
Highest point : 935m
Lowest point : 157m 
Difficulty : Difficult
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Lake District 
Location : Patterdale
Starting point : N 54.544667° / W 2.950268° Park your car in the car park by Greenside Road in Glenridding (D).
Go west along Greenside Road. Shortly after Travellers Rest staion, you reach a junction :1(. Leave Greenside Road taking a left onto a road heading south-west whick quickly turns into a hiking trail. Continue along the trail facing the road, you'll come across several paths, keep to the one along the left bank of the stream. Cross the stream at)2:: to continue heading south-west on the right bank.
At the junction (3), take a left heading west to bypass Birkhouse Moor summit (718 m) from the south. Then, heading south-west, you'll reach the Coast to coast junction (4).
Now starts a long journey heading south-west. Maintaining this direction, start a long calm climb, passing by Low Spying How, then High Spying How (5) overlooking Red Tarn. Walk away from the lake before heading uphill through Stridind Edge Helvellyn (949 m) (6).
Change direction completely and head south, remaining on the Coast to Coast trail. Walk along Swallow Scarth, then Nethermost Pike before reaching High Crag (7). Keep heading south, passing nearby Dollywagon Pike (858 m) (8). Then start your descent down stone slabs to reach Grisdale Tarn's north bank (9).
New change of direction. Now due north, still on the Coast to Coast trail. You'll reach a pasture at Ruthwaite Lodge (10). Approximately 200 m after (11), take a left on a path parallel to the Coast to Coast trail and, heading north-east, you'll come across several trails (12). Take the one that goes along Lanty's Tarn Lake heading north before going downhill towards Glenridding and reaching the car park.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 157m
1 : km 0.55 - alt. 193m - Greenside Road junction
2 : km 1.3 - alt. 277m - Cross the stream
3 : km 2.35 - alt. 584m - Birkhouse Moor junction
4 : km 3.55 - alt. 705m - Coast to Coast trail
5 : km 4.78 - alt. 813m - High Spying How
6 : km 5.5 - alt. 934m - Helvellyn
7 : km 7.11 - alt. 848m - High Crag
8 : km 7.8 - alt. 815m - Near Dollywagon Pike
9 : km 9.05 - alt. 555m - Grisedale Tarn
10 : km 10.52 - alt. 377m - Ruthwaite Lodge
11 : km 10.81 - alt. 320m - Coast to Coast junction
12 : km 14.23 - alt. 244m - Coast to Coast junction
D/A : km 15.86 - alt. 157m
No water except for the torrents which would need to be purified.
At the top of Helvellyn a stone hut provides shelter from the wind and gives you a well deserved break.
The Ruthwaite Lodge is closed.
Hiking gear for experienced hikers as the climb by Striding Edge ridge is tricky, you'll need your hands for extra support.
Beware of the wind, always present and often violent.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
The Lake District National Park lakes.
Tourist towns in the area: Ambleside, Glenridding, Windermere, Coniston etc...
7.48km
+522m
-520m
3h40
Difficult
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria This Lakeland walk includes two Wainwrights and although the distance walked is relatively short there is a steady steep climb up to the col between Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike. The views are excellent throughout and route finding is generally good with clear paths for most of the route. Choose a fine day to enjoy the views across Ullswater and to the Helvellyn ridge.
16.32km
+925m
-917m
7h20
Moderate
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria This is a great circular walk, taking in some of the higher tops and with a descent via the tranquil and less frequented Dovedale.
17.79km
+931m
-926m
7h45
Difficult
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria A Lake District walk starting from Patterdale that includes Place Fell, Howtown, and Beda Fell in a circuit of Boredale. The scenic content of this route is excellent with Ullswater providing a contrast to the rugged fells all around you.
18.15km
+811m
-811m
7h30
Moderate
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria A circular walk from Patterdale which ascends gradually to take in the great views from Angletarn Pikes and The Knott before passing over the Straits of Riggingdale to High Street and The Beacon at Thornwaite Crag. It then descends Threshwaite Cove to Hartsop and a return to Patterdale.
14.41km
+702m
-702m
6h05
Moderate
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria This is a companion route to Birks, St. Sunday, Cofa Pike, Fairfield, Hart Crag & return via Dovedale as it offers a safe way off the mountain should you need a plan B or if you want a walk with less ascent. It is still a great walk in its own right and the descent of Grisedale is a nice contrast to the ascent of St Sunday Crag.
5.62km
+174m
-168m
2h05
Moderate
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria This is a short, low level walk that can fill a couple of hours. Good if you are short on time or if it has been raining most of the day and has cleared up in the late afternoon. Nice views over the lake and interesting scenery.
30.28km
+1408m
-1471m
12h40
Difficult
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 8 Wainwrights, 2 lakes, 1 tarn and 1 pub
16.68km
+892m
-957m
7h20
Difficult
Starting point in Patterdale - Cumbria Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 3 Wainwrights, 1 tarn and 1 pub
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
