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Launched 23-11-05. Last Updated 08-01-13
Our Favourite Walks around Helvellyn Cottages
Our Favourite Walks from Glenridding and Patterdale
Howtown to Patterdale
The best bit about this one is you start it on the Ullswater Steamer - which even has a bar to set you in the right mood! Take the steamer from Glenridding to Howtown (takes about 30 minutes). If you still need some light refreshment to set you up try the Howtown Hotel. Eventually you’ll need to start walking and you’ll love the meander back along the lakeshore to Patterdale. Just be warned that there are still a few ups and downs!
The best bit about this one is you start it on the Ullswater Steamer -
Patterdale to Hartsop
The gentlest of the lot - which takes in Crookabeck Farm which sells Angorra wool, the waterfall by Hartsop, Brotherswater and then back to Patterdale. Just cross over Goldrill beck opposite Barco House, follow the lane up to Rookings, and then turn left onto the Bridleway all the way to Hartsop and on to Brotherswater. Pushchair friendly as well!
The gentlest of the lot -
Dove Crag Priests Hole
One of those great walks when you see something on the map “Priests Hole” (Cave) and think “I wonder what that’s like”. Walk from Patterdale past Deepdale and Hartsop alongside Brotherswater. Head up Dove Crag and you’ll see the Priest Hole. Fairly steep scramble in, but worth it! Great views, nice and dry and sheltered, and a visitors book to read! Ascend straight down or as we did across Black Crag and Gill Crag down into Deepdale. More on Dove Crag Priests Hole walk.
One of those great walks when you see something on the map “Priests Hole” (Cave) and think “I wonder what that’s like”. Walk from Patterdale past Deepdale and Hartsop alongside Brotherswater. Head up Dove Crag and you’ll see the Priest Hole. Fairly steep scramble in, but worth it! Great views, nice and dry and sheltered, and a visitors book to read! Ascend straight down or as we did across Black Crag and Gill Crag down into Deepdale. More on Dove Crag Priests Hole walk.
Grisedale Tarn - Fairfield - St Sunday Crag
A great walk with some stunning views on a good day. Cross over the valley from the cottage up an over into the Grisedale Valley. Head up the valley to the glorious Grisedale Tarn. The path from there up Fairfield is quite steep but fairly short. Views to the west and north make a good excuse to stop and catch your breath on the way up. From the top you’ve done the hard work and so St Sunday Crag is fairly easy - panoramic views all the way along the top of crag, and as you descend back into the Grisedale Valley the views towards Ullswater and towards the cottages are simply superb. More on Grisedale Tarn - Fairfield - St Sunday Crag walk .
A great walk with some stunning views on a good day. Cross over the valley from the cottage up an over into the Grisedale Valley. Head up the valley to the glorious Grisedale Tarn. The path from there up Fairfield is quite steep but fairly short. Views to the west and north make a good excuse to stop and catch your breath on the way up. From the top you’ve done the hard work and so St Sunday Crag is fairly easy -
Angle Tarn
A truly stunning setting just 45 minutes walk from Patterdale. Head up to Boredale Hause and then instead of continuing up Place Fell head south east (turn right!) and follow the path up to Angle Tarn. A magical place with views across to High Street, and then if you go up the Angle Tarn Pikes you get breathtaking views not just back to the Tarn, but also south west towards Brotherswater, but also to the west towards the Helvellyn Range and down to Patterdale, Glenridding and Ullswater. On the way back down if you still have the energy why not walk up Place Fell! More on Angle Tarn Walk.
A truly stunning setting just 45 minutes walk from Patterdale. Head up to Boredale Hause and then instead of continuing up Place Fell head south east (turn right!) and follow the path up to Angle Tarn. A magical place with views across to High Street, and then if you go up the Angle Tarn Pikes you get breathtaking views not just back to the Tarn, but also south west towards Brotherswater, but also to the west towards the Helvellyn Range and down to Patterdale, Glenridding and Ullswater. On the way back down if you still have the energy why not walk up Place Fell! More on Angle Tarn Walk.
Lantys Tarn
A magical place just 30 minutes or less from Helvellyn Cottages. If you’re heading up to Helvellyn from the Grisedale Valley then this is the ideal stasrt to the walk. Head down to Gillside Farm and then up the other side to Lanty’s Tarn - set in a beautiful glade. Continue on and down into the Grisedale Valley for the walk up to hole in the wall. More photos of a recent Lanty’s Tarn Walk.
A magical place just 30 minutes or less from Helvellyn Cottages. If you’re heading up to Helvellyn from the Grisedale Valley then this is the ideal stasrt to the walk. Head down to Gillside Farm and then up the other side to Lanty’s Tarn -
Patterdale Parish Boundary Walk
This annual event takes place on the first Saturday of July every year to raise money for Patterdale Church and Patterdale School. The main walk is a rather gruelling 30 miles round trip with 10,000 feet of ascent and takes in all the main fells in the area including Helvellyn, Fairfield, Dollywaggon, Place Fell and another 20 odd peaks! Walkers can also do the second half (a mere 14 miles) or the new junior walk (7 miles downhill!). For more information please see the Patterdale Parish Boundary Walk website. To sponsor us in this years walk please visit our Patterdale Sponsorship page.
This annual event takes place on the first Saturday of July every year to raise money for Patterdale Church and Patterdale School. The main walk is a rather gruelling 30 miles round trip with 10,000 feet of ascent and takes in all the main fells in the area including Helvellyn, Fairfield, Dollywaggon, Place Fell and another 20 odd peaks! Walkers can also do the second half (a mere 14 miles) or the new junior walk (7 miles downhill!). For more information please see the Patterdale Parish Boundary Walk website. To sponsor us in this years walk please visit our Patterdale Sponsorship page.
Helvellyn
The must do walk of any trip to the lakes and you can start and finish at the cottage doorstep! We recommend ascending via Grisedale Valley from Patterdale, up to Hole in the Wall, along Striding Edge to the top, down Swirral Edge, picnic at Red Tarn, and back down via Greenside Mine to the cottage door. Sounds easy! Top tips: if it’s clear when you wake up, set off and if you can see Helvellyn summit when you get to Hole in the wall, keep going, otherwise if it’s covered in mist just go to Red Tarn! More on Helvellyn Walks.
The must do walk of any trip to the lakes and you can start and finish at the cottage doorstep! We recommend ascending via Grisedale Valley from Patterdale, up to Hole in the Wall, along Striding Edge to the top, down Swirral Edge, picnic at Red Tarn, and back down via Greenside Mine to the cottage door. Sounds easy! Top tips: if it’s clear when you wake up, set off and if you can see Helvellyn summit when you get to Hole in the wall, keep going, otherwise if it’s covered in mist just go to Red Tarn! More on Helvellyn Walks.
Place Fell
The one we can see from our house, so our “local”! Ascend from Patterdale opposite Barco House, up to Boredale Hause, hand a left and keep going up and up. When you reach the top check out the views of high Street (the old Roman Road). Descend back down towards Howtown and then walk back along the lake shore (still with a few ups and downs!) to bring you back to Patterdale. More on Place Fell Walk.
The one we can see from our house, so our “local”! Ascend from Patterdale opposite Barco House, up to Boredale Hause, hand a left and keep going up and up. When you reach the top check out the views of high Street (the old Roman Road). Descend back down towards Howtown and then walk back along the lake shore (still with a few ups and downs!) to bring you back to Patterdale. More on Place Fell Walk.
We have a full range of maps and guidebooks in the cottage. The purpose of this page is just to give you a flavour of some of our favourite walks!
Helvellyn -
For a full list of walks with photos and more information please see our Helvellyn Walks Index. We also have a great range of walks around Patterdale. This link also has great information on walking around Ullswater.
For more photos of the local area please see our Helvellyn on Flickr site. Our latest walks are also usually included our Helvellyn Blog and finally if you’re mad keen on seeing the very latest pictures then follow us on Twitter!