Helvellyn via Striding Edge

The ascent of Helvellyn (950 metres) via Striding Edge is the most famous ridge walk in England and one of the great mountain experiences in the country. Striding Edge is a narrow rocky arete that connects the approach slopes to the final summit cone — a kilometre of scrambling along a blade of rock with steep drops on both sides. It demands a head for heights and is not suitable in icy conditions, but in fair weather it is accessible to any walker in reasonable condition.

The classic route from Glenridding takes about five to six hours return, passing Red Tarn (a glacial lake in the corrie below the ridge) on the ascent and descending via Swirral Edge on the opposite side of the corrie. The summit views on a clear day reach the Scottish hills, the Yorkshire Dales, and on very clear days the Isle of Man and the Welsh mountains. Glenridding's outdoor shops have maps and the staff can advise on current conditions.

things to do sight
A story
In 1805, a man named Charles Gough fell to his death from the crags above Red Tarn below Striding Edge. His body lay on the mountain for three months before being discovered — kept company throughout by his faithful dog, a terrier who refused to leave. The story prompted poems by both William Wordsworth and Walter Scott and became one of the most celebrated examples of canine loyalty in English literary history.