A walk that starts from Glenridding and goes to the mountains of Birkhouse Moor, the ridgeline of Striding Edge, Helvellyn, White Side and Raise. The descent begins from Sticks Pass as we follow the path eastwards back to Glenridding.
Meet time: 9.15am (Highly recommend getting parked up before 9am)
Start time: 9.30am
Estimated finish time: 4pm – 4.30pm
Distance: 9.6 miles (up to 15.45 kilometres)
Ascent: About 3250 feet (991 meters)
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous)
Start point: Ullswater Information Centre (in Glenridding).
Postcode: CA11 0PA
Car parking: Around the Ullswater Information Centre.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: We leave Glenridding and follow the popular tourist / hiking trail to Birkhouse Moor, it can be steep at times but once the top of Birkhouse Moor can be seen that’s when the magic begins as Helvellyn and Striding Edge come into sight. Briefly we will stop at Birkhouse Moor (718 meters) as this is a Wainwright.
On the approach to Striding Edge we will leave the main footpath to go along the full length of the ridgeline, though avoiding the pinnacles, to get the full Striding Edge experience. Now Striding Edge looks very impressive but for a ridgeline it is quite tame (and definitely not say Aonach Eagach in Scotland), and the final pinnacle marks the final ascent up to Helvellyn.
I have been to Helvellyn probably 20 to 30 times (I have lost count) and each time I have always enjoyed the great views on England’s third highest mountain (950 meters), and the best views I think are eastwards looking out to Ullswater, the Eden Valley and the northern Pennines; and nearly all the high points of the Lake District can be seen from Helvellyn too.
From Helvellyn we go past Helvellyn Lower Man and move roughly northwards to go to White Side (863 meters) and then the mound-like Raise (883 meters). After Raise we reach Sticks Pass and begin the long and gradual descent into the valley of Glenridding Beck. From Glenridding Beck it’s a quick walk back to the village of Glenridding.
Now – and this is optional — around the eastern Sticks Gill (close to Raise) there are various quarries but also a path going to Sheffield Pike (675 meters) which requires minimal ascent and offers a very different view of Helvellyn, and then from Sheffield Pike go to Glenridding Dodd (442 meters) before a quick descent. This will probably add 30 to 45 minutes to the walk, though both Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd are two somewhat ignored mountains which have great views in their own right.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 16 August if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)).
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing may be possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.