Walking Route: Helvellyn via Catsye Cam, Lakes

Walking Route - Catstye Cam, Lake District

Glenridding > Catstye Cam > Helvellyn > Raise > Glenridding

Average Time: 5 hours 40 mins

Distance: 9.3 miles (15Km)	Height Gain: 3806 ft (1160m)
Catstye Cam offers an alternative route onto the Helvellyn Plateau, especially useful when ice makes Striding Edge less than desirable	Maps: OS LR 90, Explorer OL5 Online: Streetmap
Strenuousness: 3 Technicality: 2 Photo Grade: 3	Start Point: NY386 169

Overview Catstye Cam offers an alternative route onto the Helvellyn plateau, especially useful when ice makes Striding Edge less than desirable. Beyond Helvellyn, Lower Man, Whiteside, Raise and Sheffield Pike make up the return route and despite the almost 4000ft of ascent, it's all manaeable in a single winter's day.

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Section 1: Glenridding to Catstye Cam

Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1km)

Height Gain: 2404ft (733m)

Average Time: 2 hours 30 mins

The route out starts from the private road opposite the Ullswater Hotel. After a few hundred yards a signpost points you in the direction of Gillside Farm and a campsite.

Beyond the campsite take a track off to the left and climb steadily towards Helellyn. At the ladder stile a signpost leads you onto the path to Greenside Mine and the Youth Hostel.

Where the path crosses the stream to the hostel stay on the left bank and follow the track alongside the stream. Continue slowly gaining ground for the next half mile to a bridge over Red Tarn Beck, then continue to the end of the east ridge of Catstye Cam.

Take the faint path up the well-cairned, but steep, ridge to the small summit cairn of Catstye Cam. As expected the views give a superb panorama of Ullswater along with High Street to the east.

Looking back at Catstye Cam from Swirral Edge
- Jamie Bassnett

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Section 2: Catstye Cam to Raise

Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7km)

Height Gain: 940ft (286m)

Average Time: 1 hour 25 mins

From the top of Catstye Cam drop down to the col where the path from Grisedale joins from the left.

Ahead lies Swirral Edge,a lightweight version of Striding Edge which lies across Red Tarn. Swirral Edge is almost, but not quite, a scramble but can be slippery from the passage of feet, so keep your eyes where you're going as you climb the ridge to Helvellyn Plateau.

The summit of Helvellyn's just a few yards away to the left, and although in the opposite direction it makes sense to make the short stroll for the views alone and maybe a sarnie in the lee of the summit shelter.

Now retrace your steps past the top of Swirral Edge and continue along the edge to Helvellyn Lower Man. There's not a lot to distinguish this undistinguished summit.

Turn north from Helvellyn Lower Man and drop down to a col, then climb the other side to emerge on top of White Side. Ahead the path turns north west, passing above Keppel Cove to a col.

Striding Edde in fully winteriness - Justin Murphy

Keep left here unless you want to make up time and return down the valley to Glenridding without taking in Raise and Sheffield Pike. The ridge leads unneringly to first a minor top and then the summit of Raise.

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Section 3: Raise to Glenridding

Distance: 3.8 miles (6.1km)

Height Gain: 462ft (141m)

Average Time: 1 hour 45 mins

Some 400ft below Raise and half a mile north lies Sticks Pass. At Sticks pass turn right, east, at the junction to face Sheffield Pike.

The descent is steady as you drop just over 1000ft to another col and the quarry tips. For those wanting a shortcut the path right heads down into Glendidding via the Youth Hostel.

White Side from Raise - Laura Edwards

To complete the trip continue straight ahead and climb the 370ft to Sheffield Pike. The makes summit another superb viewpoint of Ullswater,and from here the route lies downhill.

Continue past the summit cairn to another cairn on the eastern edge. From here take the south east ridge, picking your own route down to the little tarns just before Heron Pike.

With Heron Pike to your left pick your way down the steep ridge to the col before Glenridding Dodd. Turn right here and take the path down to the Greenside road. Turn left and follow the wide track back to Glenridding.

The view homewards from Sheffield Pike - Marcus Crompton

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Route Map