Saturday 19th September –Striding Edge

Date: 19th Sept 2026

Leader: Ben J

Meet time: 09:45

Start time: 10:00

Estimated finish time: 16:00

Distance: 13km (8 miles)

Ascent: 850m appx

Ramblers walk grading (click here to find out what this means):

Start point: Outside Ullswater Information Office, Glenridding Car Park

What3Words: chilled.after.perfectly

Please Register using the form at the bottom of the event page if you intend to join the walk.

Car parking:
(Car sharing may be possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange)

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.

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Summary

A classic Lake District horseshoe: Glenridding – Birkhouse Moor – Striding Edge – Helvellyn summit – Swirral Edge – Red Tarn – Glenridding. Roughly 8 miles (13km) with around 800–850m of ascent. The route starts and ends in the village of Glenridding. I will limit participants to 6, and any additional registrants will go on a waiting list. If another walk leader attends I may open up more availability depending on their ability to help supervise.

A poor weather alternative will be Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, and we take some lower level routes to Red Tarn and back to Glenridding. A more ‘normal’ day’s walking.

Description

From Glenridding, the path climbs steadily via Mires Beck onto the ridge of Birkhouse Moor, where Helvellyn first comes into view with Striding Edge to the left, Swirral Edge and Catstycam to the right. The trail continues past Hole-in-the-Wall to the foot of Striding Edge itself.

Striding Edge is a very technical and narrow rocky ridge requiring great care and concentration, with hands-on scrambling and a notably exposed down-climb of around 7m near its far end, often called “the Chimney.” For those wanting to avoid the exposure, a lower path runs just below the crest on the Red Tarn side; it circumnavigates most of the main difficulties, though the very last, trickiest step still involves some scrambling to rejoin the main route.  This bypass is walkable but still exposed, with a steep drop towards Red Tarn, so it isn’t without its own risks.

The down-climb itself also has a get-out: it can be avoided by dropping left a short way to a mid-level path and descending an easier gully instead. Anyone who decides the ridge isn’t for them can simply head down to nearby Red Tarn and wait there while the rest of the group continues (bring appropriate clothing to stay warm if it’s a cold day).

Beyond the ridge, a loose gravel path leads up to the broad summit plateau, marked by a trig point and cross-shelter at 950m.

For those continuing the horseshoe, the descent follows Swirral Edge, which is less scrambly and not as narrow as Striding Edge. The top of the ridge is loose and eroded, so care is needed here too.  Unlike Striding Edge, walkers are generally advised to stay on the crest rather than bypass: bypassing on the Brown Cove/Keppel Cove side has been linked to some serious accidents, and the rock on the crest is straightforward in dry conditions. Personal experience supports this. Once down, the path eases towards Red Tarn and drops back down the valley to Glenridding.

If Striding Edge feels like enough excitement for one day, there’s a straightforward, non-scrambling alternative back to Glenridding from the summit — a long but easier walking path heading north over Lower Man and Whiteside to descend via Keppel Cove, avoiding Swirral Edge entirely.

Not dog-friendly on the ridges.

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.

New members

Check your walk suitability, we suggest starting with an Easy to Moderate walk. Unless the event is cancelled just turn up at the meeting point on time, and introduce yourself to the walk leader! Subscribe to our Facebook page and email list, or join our WhatsApp group to stay up-to-date!

Unsure what to pack? Check out our guide here: UK Hillwalking: Seasonal Equipment & Clothing Guide – SuMMit Good

Please note the walk leader may not be in contact prior to an event; however, they 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.