Lake District National Park Travel Forum

I'm doing some walking in te Lake District soon, and would like to know which are the best ones to climb. I already plan on doing Scafell, but would like to know which other one is best. I have my eye on Helvellyn. This one needs to be an easire climb than Scafell, but not too easy.

Thanks.

The Old Man of Coniston might suit you. It's very steep at the beginning, where you're actually still on the road, but eases off as you get on to the footpaths. It's not as high or as difficult to climb as Scafell, and the paths are very clearly marked, but when you get to the top you do feel you've achieved something. Then you can come down the way you came, or extend your walk across the tops and down through the old coppermines and quarries before finishing in one of Coniston's lovely pubs for a well-earned pint. Great views from the top too, across the Lakes and over to Morecambe Bay.

Helvellyn is also a good one, I've only done one route to the top though and there are several ways of ascending it. We avoided Striding Edge because it was a quite windy and misty and there is a severe drop on either side of it - didn't fancy our chances! We approached it from the other side up a zig-zag path, I think from Thirlmere. It wasn't too tough, other than the weather, which changed very quickly on the way up.

Have a great trip to one of my favourite parts of the country :-)

Hi, Helvellyn is great (and exciting!). There are two main ways up, the shortest and steepest route includes 'striding edge' which involves a sheer drop on either side. I did this route on a scorching summers day so it was pretty safe, it was thick mist on the summit though and couldn't see a thing.

Coniston old man is a good one too - with a lovely small blue lake on the way up.

Footieimp

Helvellyn is indeed a good next bet. The best way up it is from Glenridding, via hole-in-the-wall and Striding Edge. You can then traverse the top and come back via Swirral Edge and across Birkhouse Moor.

It's a glorious walk on a sunny day, although Striding Edge can be a bit crowded. Birkhouse Moor will be all but deserted and offers tranquility away from the crowds.

Andy
http://www.lakedistrictdesktops.com/