Helvellyn via Striding Edge, Our Lake District Hike

Welcome to another travel post! There have been oh so many England travel posts but it makes sense as I have not left the country in six months.  That said, I am currently in Madeira and less than 24 hours in, having a great time . But until I can share those photos here is the recap of our hike up Helvellyn via Striding Edge, one of our two adventures during our Lake District Long Weeklend at the end of May. 

Similar to our hike up the Old Man of Coniston I researched a variety of routes up to the top of the famous mountain and also charted to a coworker. Friends recommend a path that was straight to the top and back, which took them between three and four hours, but Mark and I always like to hike or walk in a loop if if we can and see new things the whole way. Thus we chose a different and longer route, Helvellyn via Striding Edge, us two additional peaks of Birkhouse Moor and Catstycam.  All in it took us four hours and eight minutes to complete the hike which included 2,857 feet in elevation which is more than half a mile up. While only a fraction of the incline came from the infamous Striding Edge, a 1.5km steep climb along the Eastern ridge, it was definitely the slowest part of our hike. This wasn’t because it’s only recommended for experienced climbers, I was fine especially in my new , but because dozens of other people really struggled and blocked the path. 

Sadly this hike was on the day my Apple Watch strap snapped so the distance is not exactly 100% accurate as it’s based on Mark’s watch and I went off the path a few times for photos but generally should be in the right ball park. All in all it was an arduous nine-mile hike but the views were worth it, don’t you think? 

Would you hike Helvellyn via Striding Edge?