Trail Life

Helvellyn from Swirls Car Park Walk

Helvellyn Lake District

Wainwrights Climbed: Helvellyn
Distance: 4.6 miles
Elevation: 2444ft

This was a short out and back from Swirls carpark to the summit of Helvellyn.

This route climbs the bracken clad slope above the car park by a series of zigzags and then follows the edge of the crags to Helvellyn Lower Man and the summit ridge.

I’ve done several races that take in Helvellyn and it’s one of my favourite mountains in The Lakes so I was kean to show Victoria why I love it so much. Not sure she enjoyed the climb but I think the views from the top more than made up for it.

Path to Helvellyn
The path leading from Swirls car park to the climb up to Helvellyn
Thirlmere and Skiddaw
Taking a break to admire the view over Thirlmere and over to Skiddaw
Blue skies on the way to Helvellyn summit
Beautiful blue skies on our way to the summit
Swirral Edge, Catstycam, Red Tarn and Ullswater in the background
Swirral Edge, Catstycam, Red Tarn and Ullswater in the background. 
Red Tarn, Striding Edge and the formidable St Sunday Crag
Red Tarn, Striding Edge and the formidable St Sunday Crag in the background
Helvellyn summit plateau with views for miles
Helvellyn summit plateau with views for miles
Helvellyn summit
Helvellyn summit. You can see why I love it up here
Cairn at the top of Swirral Edge
Cairn at the top of Swirral Edge
good conditions on Helvellyn
Perfect conditions for it
Looking towards Striding Edge. St Sunday Crag in the background
Looking towards Striding Edge. St Sunday Crag in the background
Swirral Edge
Swirral Edge
The path leading back down to the car park
The path leading back down to the car park
One last shot together before heading down
One last shot together before heading down
Action shot descending Helvellyn
Action shot descending Helvellyn
Thirlmere coming down from Helvellyn
Nearly back to the car. Thirlmere getting ever closer

Jason Millward

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *