Helvellyn from Thirlmere walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

Helvellyn, the 3rd highest mountain in England and one of the most sought after. This journey avoids the steep crags and ridges but will certainly get your legs working hard.

Start Point: Swirls Car Park, Thirlmere, CA12 4TW. If heading southwards on the A591 Shortly after passing the ‘Kings Head’ there is a short rise in the road. At the top of the rise there is a car park located on the left. Alternatively the layby located ‘on the rise’ is also a useful place to park.

1. Follow the footpath out the back of the car park signed for Helvellyn. As you head through the next gate take the upward trending stepped path which zig zags its way up the hill. The top of Browncove Crags will eventually appear on the skyline. The aim is to get to the top of this via the path on the right hand side. Take your time, as when you get to the top of Browncove the going gets much easier.

2. As the ground flattens continue on the obvious path in the same direction (south east). It’s almost a mile along the easier trails to the summit of Helvellyn, but the amazing views will keep you going. The summit of Helvellyn is the pile of stones (cairn) just past the trig point. The cross shelter just off the summit offers excellent protection from the wind.

3. You can either retrace your steps back to the car, or continue the walk down to Wythburn to complete a circuit.

4. If heading toward Wythburn then continue over the summit in the same direction, again on the wide and obvious path, keeping the steep ground to your left. You will reach the col between Helvellyn and Nethermost Pike and ahead are three path options, take the right-most option which traverses around the fellside. Follow this path, easily at first and then a bit steeper as it breaks through Comb Crags. It’s a good path all the way.

5. The path meets a fence which bounds the forest and then cuts back rightwards to enter the forest through a large deer gate. Head through the gate and then down the wooded track to the logging road.

6. Head right (northward) along this logging road and enjoy a couple of miles of easy undulations back to the car park.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.