Eastern Fells Wainwrights

The Helvellyn range runs north to south between Thirlmere and Ullswater and stays above 2,000 feet (610 m) the whole way. Its two sides look nothing alike. The western slopes above the A591 are round and smooth. On the east the range breaks into crags and coves, and Grisedale, Glenridding, Deepdale and Dovedale cut into it from Ullswater.

Patterdale and Glenridding are the bases on the Ullswater side. From Glenridding a path climbs past the Hole in the Wall to Striding Edge, and Swirral Edge makes the usual way back down past Red Tarn. The Thirlmere side is gentler, with paths up from Swirls, Thirlspot and Wythburn. Ambleside serves the south end, where the Fairfield horseshoe is the most popular circular ridge walk in the Lake District. Kirkstone Pass starts you at about 1,500 feet for Red Screes.

The area also takes in a few isolated hills out towards Penrith, Great Mell Fell among them. For all the drama of the edges, this is a good area to start in. Our data rates 13 of its 35 fells easy and only two difficult.