Britain’s favourite walk or so it was called by Julia Bradbury, the Helvellyn in the Lake District of England is the third highest point in the country at 950 meters. The mountain has various routes which make the journey interesting and adventurous. It is well-suited to most abilities and due to its varying routes, it doesn’t feel overcrowded for hikers or tourists.

However, the Striding Edge route is the most popular and desired route to reach the Helvellyn. It comes on the ‘must-do’ list for anyone who is a fan of adventure. The Striding Edge route is a short mile-long way that involves some fun scrambling. For most of the route, it is gentle and easy to catch up with but as one ascends to the top of the arete, things get tougher as there are steep drops on both sides.

 

The Best time for Striding Edge

To make everyone happy, this route is accessible and open at all times, in all seasons. It can be traversed during snow which notches up the difficulty level. Nonetheless, it is an experience to live through. The summers are a busy time for the mountain and this route, but during weekdays and winters, with the right mountaineering gear, you can get some free space to enjoy the experience even more.  The route is not some rocket science that is difficult to figure out but is rather an easy-to-follow pathway. And when one reaches the “hole-in-the-wall” spot, the rest of the journey to Helvellyn becomes pretty easy. The entire experience is made smoother with some facilities that it offers, e.g., there is a car parking facility available for this route at Beckside car park in Glenridding. The car park is filled during peak hours and seasons and is a bit on the expensive side, charging £10 for full-day parking. Hence, make sure to arrive early to get your car a safe spot.

It never gets boring at Helvellyn

The best part about Helvellyn mountains is that it allows you to explore other places in the vicinity for a wholesome experience. One of these opportunities includes visiting the breathtaking Glenridding village situated on the edge of the Ullswater Way. It has activities like wild swimming, kayaking or paddleboarding, and other mountain treks like that of Helvellyn in-store for you when you visit. The Ullswater Way is in itself a tourist destination with a mix of hillwalking and lakeside experiences. All in all, one won’t find this place boring as it is filled with adventures and activities that can be done by anyone.

 

The Striding Edge route and the Helvellyn mountains along with nearby site-seeing and adventurous places make for an awesome weekend getaway from your daily mundane lives. The YNA hostel situated 963 feet up the Helvellyn mountains, is an amazing place to stay with a picturesque view of the mountain range and a variety of rooms to choose from – dorm rooms, camping, private rooms, and land pods. Thus, this makes the trip pocket-friendly and filled with fun.