Lake District Walks | Solo Hike Up Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge

Striding Edge and Swirral Edge are two of the most popular routes to reach the summit of Helvellyn. Abbie heads out on a clear sunny day to tackle the famous horseshoe. Hopefully you have a head for heights!
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[@evien190]

Climbed this when I was 8 years old but the other way, up Swirral edge and down Striding edge, it was a perfectly clear sunny day, I remember it so well. I'm 23 and been bedbound the last few years, I miss climbing and hiking so much

[@naveenxfs]

I hope you get to experience it once again

[@783342]

Hats off to you. In 1967 I (an Aussie) climbed Helvellyn with a Canadian girl and American boy who was told it's an easy 5 mile hike, no crags, no nasty bits to worry about. No "Edges" were mentioned and off we went last half in rain and wind and visibility towards the top only 1 metre in front of us. Coming back, at halfway point, the weather cleared to the most beautiful breathtaking panorama imaginable but we were frozen when we got back to a lot of trouble. We girls were told GET TO BED. The American copped most of the tongue-lashing (from manager of the youth hostel) because he persuaded us to go with him. I was happy we'd done it once I thawed out. Just recently I asked the internet has anyone died on Helvellyn? - the answer was 15 so far this year (couple of years ago).. That's when I started shaking at the thought it could have been us. I didn't know for 50 years that it was dangerous.

[@ashleybishton742]

Takes no prisoners

[@annabelchinn1431]

"ah solid ground! It's... Just the wrong angle" 😂😂😂

[@robertshepherd3406]

Your smile and joie de vivre are infectious . So great to see someone enjoying the simple pleasures of nature. Not a bad day out for :£6.50

[@davidseale8252]

Thank you Abbie. I'm 72 now and no longer able to get up there. Your enthusiasm was just like I felt when I did that route for the first time. A Lovely video and once again Thanks.

[@garymoore7914]

I just find your enthusiasm so infectious in all your videos.

[@paulm2467]

My great uncle, George Gibson, was killed at greenside lead mine in the Glennridding mining disaster, he posthumously won the Edward Medal ( miners equivalent of the George Medal) for his actions trying to save other miners. It is a hard but beautiful land around there.

[@danieldinsdale4637]

Cool story bro...

[@nicehatmrdog5265]

lol

[@karenhatton7058]

Watching with my heart in my mouth, I have no head for heights

[@CitrusSimon]

An interesting hike, with jagged test, Morning start, brings excited jest. Another path with faithful hat, Within the realms, her habitat.

[@dontalkt2meboutheros]

Rear of step, a strident knee, Face a lit with compound glee. Over mountains and passing tarns, The spreading joy from Abbie Barnes.

[@danieldinsdale4637]

Roses are red, Violets are blue, Your poem is shit.

[@eshowe66]

Really good video Abbie, thank you... as a family we have camped (and now caravan) every Easter at the campsite you passed (Gillside Farm) for over 50 years and have also been regular visitors at other times of the year. In all that time we can only count on one hand the amount of days on our walks up Helvellyn that the weather was as good as yours; you were very blessed. Keep these videos coming Abbie, they are important in the fight to inspire people away from TV, internet and social media (despite the need to watch them using those formats) and back out into the wild. As a teacher I am frequently shocked, and saddened, by students (AND in some cases staff) complete lack of awareness of even basic things such as local footpaths, parks and places of interest... when we go back to school in September there will be students that have barely left their bedrooms/house/xBox... Very sad. I use your videos to encourage debate within the classroom, this one is a definite 'conquering your fears' conversation. Good work Abbie.

[@danieldinsdale4637]

Areet Martin Luther King calm down... I had a dream... when I fell asleep reading what you’ve just wrote

[@nabellerabbit6707]

omg my heart nearly stopped at 9.30..that is scary.. beautiful, yes...but scary

[@angelakm6753]

Lovely video Abbie. Brought back happy memories of 2001 when we did Sriding Edge and Swirral Edge. It was the first day the fells were open following the Foot and Mouth disease, and a friend who was just recovered from breast cancer and chemo wanted to climb Helvellyn to prove she was back to full health. We had to go up via Red Tarn Beck as that was the only way open for ascent. We had a break at Red Tarn then carried on via Striding Edge. At the summit my friend was so chuffed that she had done it, and I produced a bottle of Champagne and 4 glasses from my rucksac to celebrate at the shelter. Unbeknown to all of us, he son and his girlfriend were approaching the shelter at the same time. They didn't know we were going to be there!

[@silverbane280]

So enjoyable. Loves your vids, especially the Lake District.

[@antheablackmore5838]

Wow what an amazing walk ! Thank you

[@eastsaxon67]

Really enjoyed this, very inspiring, thank you Abbie.

[@delmiller4184]

Amazing Abbie! Well done. Thanks for taking us along with you.

[@Joe-B1]

Wonderful , wonderful , wonderful and well done Abbie. Loved it.

[@jtoutdoorsadventures6864]

Awesome video!!!! Love the history you share. Keep up the great work!! The views are amazing just awesome

[@rosieHolliday5887]

Looks amazing. Very informative thank you x

[@ianhicks619]

Did the walk four times, in all, assisting with school groups as well as on my own. Great memories.

[@christinesmith3372]

Thanks for showing me such a beautiful part the Lake District.

[@sheilat3839]

Amazing Abbie, well done , my life in lockdown is watching and being inspired by your travels in the lake district

[@kindredspirit6654]

Great video Abbie.. really captured the magic of the Lakes..

[@zafmal2935]

Well done !!! Love your joyful enthusiasm.

[@g.m_unplugged]

Looking forward doing this before this winter. Great vid 😊

[@ImpRT7007]

Spot on. Loved your viewpoint

[@jdee4215]

Another brilliant video of you in the Lakes

[@BritishRacingGreen]

Wow! Thanks for sharing. Helvellyn is mighty impressive and once I have more experience I'll try that route. This is the best video I've seen on Helvellyn and what it's like up there. Keep it up.

[@kennethmorgan5588]

Whoa! Seriously great walk/video Abbie.

[@martinhommel9967]

Great video, thank you for sharing. You were very lucky with the weather.

[@TomAndJoeVlogsTJOutdoors]

Brilliant video Abbie, such a inspiration for our own video of the trail, honestly such a well presented Vlog. Well done, one cracking mountain!

[@iaintinsley3123]

Did this today. Loved it. Proper inspiring

[@philk9227]

Great video Abbie, definitely gnarly in places, but the views were stunning. Well done 👍

[@Backoutthere]

Just completed this walk last Thursday. It was amazing. The views where unreal. Another great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@lorrets9775]

Fantastic walk, almost feels like we are there, walking with you.

[@davidearl2038]

Great wander Abbie! This brought back some wonderful memories of a winter hike there in Jan 2000 with my late pal. We had the perfect day, blue skies, sunshine, snow, ice and fantastic view. Unlike your trek, we went up via Swirrel and down via Striding. Happy days! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.

[@bjorksbanjoplayer]

Another great video Abbie, well done :) Stay Wild.

[@zennor_man]

Excellent video Abbie..... fantastic weather for you also....

[@johnfairclough2998]

What an outstanding video!

[@eldubs]

That brought a lot of memories back for me from 1999. Did this route whilst on R&R during army training. loved watching this, thank you!

[@RosaLichtenstein01]

Excellent, Video, Abbie. I did this mountain back in 1992. A great climb. Thanks for posting!

[@nickimacrae7163]

Fantastic video Abbie! It’s my absolute dream to do this walk, but at present disability prevents me (and I’m finding other adventures) but it’s wonderful to experience it through your warm enthusiasm and beautiful camera shots 😍❤️ Thank you! 👏👏😁

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

Beautiful weather. Another one to add to my list.

[@hectorblack6516]

I did this exact route 2 days ago in very similar conditions. Great video, really well shot and sums up the exciting issues to be tackled perfectly!!!

[@jamieb741]

Did this last year Abbie, brilliant walk & scramble. You had striding edge to yourself by the look of it. And a great day for it too. Fantastic , have fun... 👍😊

[@lauriecoates9699]

Brings back some good memories of the exact same route

[@dannybroadbent1631]

Fantastic Abbie great footage as always takes me back to when I did this route, tho you seem a lot happier than I did as am a wuss with heights. Once again well done

[@rfow8365]

Have only just discovered your videos and I am loving them. Great work ❤

[@gutinstinct4067]

That's one that I could never do , so thanks for showing me what's up there =-)

[@johanweijer9986]

Hi Abbie, when I watch your videos I always get a smile on my face. Your enthusiasm is very contagious. I myself have been to the Lake District twice. Beautiful memories. Coniston Old Men in particular is still in my favor. thanks for this nice video. I definitely have to go for a walk there again. with warm regards, Johan

[@MrQuintonia]

Fantastic video of that famous edge, one of the best I have seen... Your enthusiasm is very infectious... Well done...

[@Elvathar]

Looks great!

[@gordonkeir7074]

Wow Annie that took some nerv love all your videos so much information well done 👍

[@Wanderwithvickers]

I love how you always know which way to go, I get so lost with the paths and which ones are the right ones to follow😂 you do it so effortlessly. Really enjoyed watching this :) we car camped in one of the car parks just below Helvellyn actually 😊✌️

[@doctormartin1]

Inspiring. I've not been to the Lakes that often and on the few times I have, well, I'll just say it was rather damp! Nice to know that sometimes the sun shines there... 😉

[@jacquelinesheskey7870]

Absolutely loved this blog!!! What a stunning day you had!!! Fabulous 🤩 well done 🤩👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@carolinesmyth127]

When I was at school back in the 70s, we had I wonderful YHA trip to the Lake District and I remember we were going to do Helvelyn but the weather got so bad, we couldn't do it in the end, but I remember this walk. ❤

[@edwardsdavid2]

This is next on my list - tackled Scafell last month for first time and hairy finale in the incoming fogs, cant wait to head back :) Love your videos, keep up the great work!!

[@TheMrsKKB]

So cool Abbie! My BF and I did Helvellyn via Striding Edge 2 years ago and the chimney was truly a challenge that tested me 😊 we descended via Whiteside and I still would love to do it again via Swirrel. Absolutely wonderful footage 👍🏼 thank you as always for sharing!!

[@1robboard]

Oh wow Abbie, that was incredible what you did !!! Really am enjoying your videos, thanks for sharing them, fantastic views.

[@ICENI-Britannica]

Yep, love the unique phrases; my personal favourite, “What the legit flip?” Fantastic walk; what a brilliant way to spend a day. Thanks for taking us along Abbie.

[@alboreham388]

Really great video, thanks. Did it last week, same sun but with no wind. Loved it

[@isaacclarkson2833]

Just finished this walk, was great fun !

[@zomzoms1979]

Wonderful video, Abbie. I loved the scenery but I'm so scared of heights, so I had to take lots of deep breaths as I was watching. I'm such a wuss, lol. Thank you for sharing as always.

[@worldcooking]

Admirable landscapes!

[@patrickmoore2031]

Hey Abbie, just so you know, I think my heart stopped beating once or twice as you traversed the Edge. Congrats on a safe crossing. Thanks for sharing the fantastic scenery.

[@kathrynbrock1558]

Wonderful!

[@welshrambler1893]

Excellent video Abbie and spectacular scenery. Rather you than me doing Striding Edge taking a video. Well done and stay wild!

[@callingcelt9015]

Hi, Abbie, great to watch you enjoying the Helvellyn climb so much. I really enjoyed your journey to, it brought back great memories for me. i first climbed Striding Edge when was eleven years old, i am now seventy four. I have subsequently done the Horseshoe several times .its a beautiful and amazing route. Carry on the good work and keep making your excellent videos. Looking forward to your next one.

[@paullewis8683]

another great video. what a great and brave lady

[@wildcamping1502]

Great Walk and Scramble Abbie and Cracking views up top Thanks for taking us along, Stay Safe, Les.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Awesome vid, mate. Love watching yours after I've done the routes for the memories.

[@Quaker521]

Great video Abbie of a great walk. Last time I went up Helvellyn I did the same route but in reverse to yours although it was in thick cloud. Moving along Swirral Edge a hole suddenly opened up in the clouds and showed me that if I continued on my path then I may well have fallen off! No view from the summit but just about to go down via Striding Edge and another hole in the clouds let me see Patterdale in all of its glory. Beautiful! It only hit me later but I think that somebody was looking down on me that day.

[@grahamsherry4788]

Heading up there Friday. Looking forward to it, thanks Abbey 😃👍

[@ashleyjarnold]

Another fantastic video Abbie, very inspirational and easy to watch. We so want to do this but know it will be a huge challenge especially as I'm not great with heights. Next year then!! Regards, Ashley

[@johncaswell9673]

Such good timing, I’m gonna be up there at the end of the week. :).

[@paulburnett1344]

WOW, superb.

[@catrescuer]

Loving your videos. Simply fab, you should have your own tv series.

[@teenoltae]

The blue skies are incredible- always rained when I've visited the lakes ..

[@alexmorgan3435]

Beautiful views and the scenery wasn't half bad either ;@). Love climbing Helvellyn and Striding Edge. Respect to you climbing Striding Edge one handed and filming. You were so lucky with the weather and had the place pretty much to yourself. Lots of good walking in the Lakes. Old Man of Coniston is a good one day walk as well.

[@wraith4015]

Great video, so glad you walked this way around, i class it as the hardest way as i done it many times, always wanted to do it in the snow but feel i am not skilled enough for that. 10/10 thx

[@AhhBexxo]

well done for pushing yourself in this one. still, you made it look so easy !! big smiles all around

[@jimmycburfield5997]

Brilliant stuff. Describing Striding edge as a puzzle is an excellent description. I am so gonna recommend these videos to people. I can feel your passion and enthusiasm! That really adds to viewing experience. Very high quality. Thanks.

[@gabi1342ful]

Oooooohoooo Abbie, this was one pretty insane single-handed rock scramble! Little scary.... 🤤 But I enjoyed these awesome views! Thanks for taking us along.

[@kaikaradut7365]

Your videos are brilliant! great work on the climb. Just got back from the lakes myself. Amazing place

[@davideaston1139]

Cracking video Abbie much love, truth, peace and harmony be sent your way...

[@moose6676]

Abbie thanks 👍🏻 absolutely brilliant 🤩

[@kenhenley7599]

Respect, Abbie, respect. The Edges are difficult and beyond my capabilities but it was great seeing what it's like "up there". A wonderful video. Thank you.

[@craigwilson1604]

Great video love you enthusiasm 👍

[@theyorkshireninja5023]

Did this route when I was in the Army Cadets when I was 13, a whole 35 years ago. *THANK YOU SO MUCH* for bringing back these fond memories. 💕

[@raylamascus2296]

Beautiful scenery I love that the countryside

[@lauriecooper8194]

Brilliant video Abbie, you're much braver than I am. Striding edge is the stuff of my nightmares. 👍

[@apollo12329]

Great share.

[@nigem6611]

Thanks Abbie for letting me see Helvellyn, the views and Striding Edge because when I walked up there the cloud was down and I couldn't see very much!

[@johngame2119]

Did this way back in 2013. Still think about it till this day. Wonderful walk.

[@tman5634]

Striding Edge... I've done it many times & in all weathers. It is not a walk & not a climb that should be taken lightly. Many people have lost their footing, especially in poor weather, ice & snow. It comands RESPECT at all times & a lapse in concentration can be fatal. This goes for the whole of Striding Edge, the very steep scramble upto the summit & parts of Swirrel Edge. All of which have witnessed fatalities. I say to any first timer to be very very careful & if you're not good with heights but still want to hit the summit, forget Striding or Swirrel Edge but instead go up the shorter, steep but safe route from Grassmere side. Once on the summit, the view looking down & a long Striding Edge is quite special indeed.

[@zarniwoopb6078]

One of my favourite walks

[@leemcloughlin8355]

Thanks for sharing this video. You look like you had a fantastic time. Im going to tackle helveylynn tomorrow on that same route so thats just gave me some insight into what im up against. Thank you

[@Mattymullen08]

I did this walk last week after seeing your video abbie. I got to the start of striding edge and what happened yep thick fog and rain haha was amazing challenge for me tho I will sure revisit for awesome job

[@denisbonner48]

Abbie I really enjoy your KZbin videos, you are a credit to us all that have problems. Well done Abbie keep going girl.take care.