How long does the Striding Edge horseshoe walk take?

The full circuit from Glenridding — taking in Striding Edge, Helvellyn summit, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam — is roughly 12 to 14 kilometres with about 900 metres of ascent. Allow five to seven hours, though realistically longer if the views keep stopping you in your tracks.

Should I do Striding Edge or Swirral Edge first?

Most people tackle Striding Edge first, and there's a good reason for that. The scrambling on Striding Edge is more sustained, so it's easier to navigate when you're fresh and heading upward rather than tired and picking your way down. Swirral Edge is shorter and steeper but over more quickly.

Where should I park for Helvellyn via Striding Edge?

Glenridding has a decent-sized pay-and-display car park and is the most popular starting point for the horseshoe route. Fair warning though — on a sunny summer weekend you'll want to arrive early, or you'll be joining the queue of people circling the car park like sad vultures.

route-guides

Helvellyn via Striding Edge, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam

At 950 metres, Helvellyn's summit can be reached by perfectly civilised paths — but the horseshoe route over Striding Edge, Swirral Edge and Catstye Cam is one of England's finest ridge walks, and it's worth doing properly. Here's what the scrambling actually involves, why the "Grade 1" label shouldn't lull you into complacency, and how to plan a day you'll be talking about for years rather than one that ends with a call to mountain rescue.

11 July 20269 min read