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This was one of those hot days in the summer where the forecasters are issuing warnings about being out in the sun, a rare event in the northwest of the UK, but a perfect opportunity for a very early morning departure from home for the 90-minute journey up to Glenridding. This is, of course, a classic route outward over Striding Edge and returning via Swirral Edge and taking in three Hewitts. But it was the first time for me, and I was particularly looking forward to the experience on the two ‘Edges’, reassured from some pre-reading off their relative safety in benign conditions.
I started the walk from the main car park in the village at 7.30am, using the village road which quickly becomes a decent stony track running parallel to the south of Glenridding Beck. There is a meeting of a series of paths at Rattlebeck Bridge so it’s worth taking a moment to make sure you head south towards Miresbeck, then take a right and then steeply uphill alongside Mires Beck. The path rapidly ascends to the 700-metre point as it takes a sharp right and then left turn on the top of Birkhouse Moor. The views across the valley above Red Tarn now showcase the last of today’s three peaks, Catstye Cam, together with the connecting ridge, Swirral Edge, off the north side of Helvellyn.
Continuing ahead, the ascent westward towards High Spying How steepens as the peak approaches, with the drop-offs to the south of the ridge becoming more spectacular. Now for Striding Edge, which requires little more than the careful management of a number of boulders on the short descent, but with interesting drops now to both sides. I can appreciate that this would be the wrong place to be in high winds or ice, but on a beautiful morning in the summer it’s just a case of enjoying the views and making easy steady progress towards before the final section of the ridge ascent to join the paths on the broad top of Helvellyn.
Although I had not seen anyone on my route up the mountain, I was surprised to find several small groups sat on the top, most of them facing east towards the early morning sunshine, enjoying the views over Red Tarn.
The descent down Swirral Edge again requires just a little care in foot placement, but it is mostly a good steady drop down to the col directly below Catstye Cam. There is an obvious minor path which continues straight on up to the top of the hill. It’s a great place to be, with super views across towards Sheffield Pike and the northeast. There is no need to retrace steps as the path continues over grass southeast down the broad slope of the hill to intersect with the route coming up from the valley along Red Tarn Beck. It’s about four kilometres back into Glenridding from here. I chose to cross the bridge as I approached the old mines at the top of the valley, using the Greenside Road back into the village. Just in time for breakfast at 10.30am as it started to really warm up on one of the hottest days of the year.
This is, of course, a very busy and popular route, I found it hugely enjoyable on a quiet early morning in the summer, and do take in Catstye Cam at 890 metres, for me the views from the top were the highlight of the round for me.
