Lake District
BEGINNER SCRAMBLING
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NY386169 From the main car park in Glenridding, cross the river at the road bridge and follow it upstream. Soon the lane turns into a footpath. Where the footpath forks, take the uphill branch towards Lanty’s Tarn.
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NY383162 Pass Lanty’s Tarn on your left and continue on the footpath downhill towards a drystone wall. The path drops down to meet the wall and continues alongside it, without crossing. Take this path, heading roughly south-west and follow it all the way down Grisedale Valley with mountain views rising all around you.
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NY355135 At Ruthwaite Lodge, take an indistinct path to the right of the hut that picks its way uphill beside the river. The noticeable crag just above the hut is Spout Crag, the bottom of our scramble route up the Tongue. Ascend steeply on the grassy shoulder until you are level with the top of the crag, then cut left, still on grass, to stand on the small plateau above it. The view back down the valley is splendid.
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NY353134 From here, the route consists of three ledges with short sections of scrambling in-between. Most, if not all, of the scrambling can be avoided, which makes it great for beginners but at least one person should be experienced in route-finding. If the rock is wet the route becomes a slimy mess and you could easily get into difficulties, hauling yourself up on handfuls of wet moss. From the top of Spout Crag, follow a seam of rock up to the next grass plateau. Zigzag right then left (or just straight up the steep grassy bank) to the next shelf. Again, head up through the crags, picking the route that is best for you – choose right for rock or the middle gully for grass.
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NY351132 You will arrive at the top of the final ledge, a much larger plateau that marks the proper start of The Tongue. The ridgeline rises up ahead of you to your right – but don’t forget to turn around to take in that view of the valley below. When you’re ready, head up the grassy bank in front you of, to avoid a steep drop to the right, and head up the nose of The Tongue. The top of the ridge is a walk, with more scrambling on the left flank. Choose the best route on the day. Soon the summit cairn of Dollywagon Pike will appear.
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NY345130 From Dollywagon Pike, walk north along the ridge towards Helvellyn. Either stay high, taking in the tops of High Crag and Nethermost, or drop down to the path. If staying high be cautious of the drop in poor visibility. But hopefully the weather gods will treat you to views far across the Lake District. Soon you’ll be at the trig point on Helvellyn summit.
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NY341152 The start of Swirral Edge begins at the north-east corner of the summit plateau, marked by a large cairn. This is a rocky scramble and the first few steps are exposed but not technical. Once on the edge, simply follow along the crest or walk around the scrambling on a narrow footpath just below. At the col below Catstye Cam, take the footpath down to Red Tarn.
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NY350154 From the banks of Red Tarn, continue on the easterly footpath to Hole-in-theWall. Don’t cross, but follow the wall round towards Birkhouse Moor and, past the corner, descending alongside it east. Cross the wall once you’re past all of the crags and follow to Lanty’s Tarn. Retrace your steps back to Glenridding.