Grade -  Difficult. 8 miles/6 to 7 hours/Patterdale

There are several possible routes, but one of the most rewarding starts along the gorgeous Grisedale Valley. Head west from Patterdale and, after about half a mile, cross Grisedale Beck via a humpback bridge befoew ascending the flank of Birkhouse Moor. After a long steep climb you'll reach the Hole-in-the-Wall landmark, a good place to take a breather, with grand views up to the Helvellyn summit, the glacial Red Tarn and the dramatic spine of Striding Edge.

Head southwest beneath Bleaberry Crag and over the rocky mound of High Spying How before venturing onto the ridge itself. Several trails wind their way along the edge, offering various degrees of difficulty; whichever you choose, take it carefully. At the end of the ridge it's a scramble over the rock tower known as the Chimney (or along the easier right-hand trail) and up another sharp, rocky section to the summit (3116ft) where you'll be rewarded with fabulous views southeast to St Sunday Crag, northeast to the pointy peak of Catstycam (2917ft), west to Thirlmere and east to Ullswater.

Three memorials can be found around the summit: the first to Robert Dixon, who slipped off the peak while following a foxhounds' trail, and a second to the headstrong climber Charles Gough who, in 1805, became the first recorded person to fall off the mountain. A third memorial marks the point where two daring pilots, John Leeming and Bert Hinkler, landed their plane on 22 December 1926.

After the dizzying challenge of Striding Edge, the descent via Swirral Edge is a doddle, with a clear winding trail winding down between Catstycam and Red Tarn. You can now either retrace your steps back to Patterdale or take the alternative route along Red Tarn Beck, passing Greenside Mine before descending to Glenridding. 

Pubs nearby