Lake District
1 NY386169 Start in the large Glenridding car park. Head back towards the lake and cross the river at the main road. Follow the river upstream on the other side – it's a public right of way, even if it looks like a private road! As the road turns into a footpath, take the left fork uphill towards Lanty’s Tarn. Follow the footpath through the trees and scrub, beside the tarn and then back downhill until you meet a wall. Go through the gate at the bottom corner heading south to meet a bridge over the Grisedale Beck. Turn left onto the quiet road then, after a little way, take the first marked footpath on your right and walk into open access land.
NY386157 Keep to 2 the clear path up the nose of Birks. You should have an excellent view of Glenridding behind you, if the weather is clear. After reaching Birks it’s easy to lose the path, particularly in snow, so keep to the ridge and head towards St Sunday. The final ascent up to the top is steep and rocky.
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Over St Sunday Crag, just after the col, cut off to your right. There is a track across the side of the scree slope, but it can be difficult to find in the snow. Head directly for the base of Grisedale Tarn, where the beck starts down the valley below you. Be careful in wintry conditions – the path is narrow and the slope sheer. NY349122 4 From Grisedale Tarn, take the zigzag path up onto the start of the Helvellyn ridge. It's a well-used, well-marked path with stones underfoot. The path climbs steadily along the ridge towards Helvellyn, but misses off the minor peaks on the way. Peak-baggers should head for the uphill slopes but beware of the proximity of the edge, particularly in low visibility, as the crags drop off steeply!
NY342151 Take 5 refuge in the cross-shaped shelter on the top of Helvellyn (if you can find a seat) and enjoy the views. According to the map, this and the nearby cairn are 1m higher than the trig, but either count as the top. Continue on the wellmarked path along the ridge, heading northwest towards Derwent Water.
NY337155 Not long 6 after, turn off to the right, up the scree pile of Helvellyn Lower Man then down the sharp rocky edge. The path is good, but exposed. Follow this path, keeping the edge on your right-hand side as it flattens off and curves right before the summit of Raise. This leads to a long, zigzag path down beside Red Screes, back
into the valley. NY352166 7 Follow the Glenridding Beck back down the valley, all the way into Glenridding. It's a gentle, if long, descent with either pleasant views or protection from the elements – depending on your fortune. The footpath meets a road and, if you bear left, will take you conveniently past the Travellers Rest pub. A little further downhill on the right is the car park where you started.