Meet time: 9.15am
Start time: 9.30am
(Estimated finish time 4.30pm )
Distance: 10.5-10.6 miles / 16.8 – 17 km
Ascent: 2790-2950 feet (850 – 900 meters)
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous)
Start point: Ullswater Information Centre (next to the car park),
Postcode: CA11 0PA
Car parking: There is car park immediately adjacent to the Ullswater Information Centre, along the Newlands Pass road bordering Buttermere village. Another car park can be found by the Glenridding Ferry Landing.
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: The walk begins from the Ullswater Information Centre in the centre of Glenridding. We cross over the road bridge to head westwards to the Caravan Park. From there we take a path via Mires Beck to begin the steep ascent to Birkhouse Moor to reach about 700m (2300 feet) elevation where both Striding Edge and Helvellyn can be seen. The route becomes gentle as it gradually slopes upwards towards Striding Edge. After going slowly for about half a mile over the rocky Striding Edge there is a steep but short ascent to Helvellyn.
At Helvellyn there will be lunch break and the route goes southwards along the Helvellyn Range, along the way the walk goes first to Nethermost Pike and then to Dollywagon Pike as the elevation very gradually drops. From Dollywagon Pike there is a steep descent of about 300m (1000 feet) which comes to a stop upon reaching Grisedale Tarn. Once at the tarn the route gently descends as it goes through Grisedale Beck and past Ruthwaite Lodge. Our path will be on the southern side of the river as it becomes almost flat and widens to a track.
The journey back is quick and easy as the route goes through Grisedale to come to the village of Patterdale. Finally, it’s a quick stretch along the A592 upon a pavement cutting through the woods until the route returns at last to Glenridding.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 27 May if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem).
This walk is suitable for dogs but please make sure you keep your dog under control as parts of the walk pass by pastures where sheep graze.
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 is now 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.