“Striding Edge is the finest ridge there is in Lakeland, for walkers - it's traverse is always an exhilarating adventure in fair weather or foul, and it can be made easy or difficult according to choice”
A Wainwright
A long route incorporating one of the most spectacular ridge walks in the Lake District, Striding Edge, as well as many iconic summit points. From Patterdale we will climb a good path up to Lanty's Tarn where we will follow the ridge onto Birkhouse Moor. This section of the walk has wonderful views of the crags along Striding Edge and Helvellyn, with views down in the opposite direction over Ullswater to the Eden Valley on a clear day.
“on the north side the Fairfield range is magnificent: here are dark precipices, long fans of scree, abrupt crags, desolate combs and deep valleys: a tangle of rough country, small in extent but full of interest, and well worth the exploration”
A Wainwright
The route follows the ridge climbing onto Striding Edge where we will follow the exposed sharp ridge until the final steep climb to the summit of Helvellyn.
Alternatively we can ascend Swirral Edge, a fair less exposed climb up to the summit of Helvellyn and pick up the set route from the summit.
From Helvellyn we walk south along the top of the fells which on a clear day offers a spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains with Windermere in the distance. The route passes Nethermost Pike, High Crag and Dollywagon Pike before descending to Grisedale Tarn. At the tarn we begin to climb the steep path heading up from Hause Gap to the summit of Fairfield. Once at the summit we begin to descend to Deepdale Hause for our final ascent of the day which is St Sunday Crag.
Following the good path down into Patterdale and the Patterdale Hotel where the journey began.
Alternatively if the full duration of the route is proving difficult we can begin an immediate descent from Grisedale Tarn down the valley following Grisedale Beck. Following the path approaching Lanty Tarn from the south and continuing back down into Patterdale.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside the Patterdale Hotel, Patterdale
Postcode: CA11 0NL
Grid Reference: NY 397 158
Directions
From the South Lakes: From the A591 between Ambleside and Windermere turn onto the A592. Follow this road over the Kirkstone Pass descending to Brothers Water. After the road passes a turning to the right, continue past Brothers Water to the village of Patterdale where the Patterdale Hotel will be seen to the left, we will meet outside the Hotel entrance, a pay and display car park is opposite the hotel.
From the North Lakes: From the A66 between Keswick and Penrith turn off onto the A592, near the Rheged Centre, signposted to Ullswater, follow this road south along the shore of Ullswater past the villages of Glenridding to Patterdale. The Patterdale Hotel will be seen on the right hand side, we will meet outside the Hotel entrance, a pay and display car park is opposite the hotel.
Bus Services
Glenridding is served by a seasonal bus service from Ambleside and a more regular service from Penrith.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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