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](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_160623.jpg)
The path leading from Swirls car park to the climb up to Helvellyn
![Thirlmere and Skiddaw](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_164521.jpg)
Taking a break to admire the view over Thirlmere and over to Skiddaw
![Blue skies on the way to Helvellyn summit](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_170510.jpg)
Beautiful blue skies on our way to the summit
![Swirral Edge, Catstycam, Red Tarn and Ullswater in the background](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_172329_001.jpg)
Swirral Edge, Catstycam, Red Tarn and Ullswater in the background.
![Red Tarn, Striding Edge and the formidable St Sunday Crag](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_172631.jpg)
Red Tarn, Striding Edge and the formidable St Sunday Crag in the background
![Helvellyn summit plateau with views for miles](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_172722.jpg)
Helvellyn summit plateau with views for miles
![Helvellyn summit](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_172748.jpg)
Helvellyn summit. You can see why I love it up here
![Cairn at the top of Swirral Edge](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_172909.jpg)
Cairn at the top of Swirral Edge
![good conditions on Helvellyn](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_172945.jpg)
Perfect conditions for it
![Looking towards Striding Edge. St Sunday Crag in the background](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_173218.jpg)
Looking towards Striding Edge. St Sunday Crag in the background
![Swirral Edge](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_173419.jpg)
Swirral Edge
![The path leading back down to the car park](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_173527.jpg)
The path leading back down to the car park
![One last shot together before heading down](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_174827.jpg)
One last shot together before heading down
![Action shot descending Helvellyn](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_175439.jpg)
Action shot descending Helvellyn
![Thirlmere coming down from Helvellyn](http://www.traillife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20170826_182304.jpg)
Nearly back to the car. Thirlmere getting ever closer