The panorama here is take with a zoom lens from the mouth of the Grisedale valley at Patterdale.

The trek will take us up Birkhouse moor and onto the Grisedale Brow ridge all the way to Helvellyn on the right. From there the main Helvellyn ridge will be followed over Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike to Grisedale Hause and Grisedale Tarn.

A short ascent from there will gain the summit of Fairfield from where we again ridge-walk over St.Sunday Crag and Birks back down to Patterdale.

This is the first image of Birkhouse Moor from the road leading down into Grisedale.

The trail leads across the road to angle up onto the ridge of the fell, known as Grisedale Brow. This ridge leads all the way along the valley to it's head where Striding Edge joins onto the main Helvellyn ridge.

Looking across Grisedale Beck the view from the mouth of the valley reveals the route ahead.

To the right is the ridge of Birkhouse Moor. At the head of the valley a snowcapped Helvellyn joins Nethermost Pike and Dollywagon Pike before dropping down to Grisedale Hause at the far left of the photo.

The path across the fell onto Grisedale Brow is a gently sloping semi paved route which, on a clear day, affords inspiring views to Helvellyn at the head of the valley.



Rising steeply to the left of Grisedale, here, is the flank of Birks and St.Sunday Crag, and our ridge walk home.

This image is from a little further along the same path on a bright, crisp Winter's morning.

St.Sunday Crag is visible to the left of Grisedale with Fairfield just coming into view behind.

At the head of Grisedale, through the hause, Seat Sandal can just be seen beyond Grisedale Tarn.

Looking back to Patterdale (Easterly), Place Fell is seen sitting at the bottom of Ullswater, just out of view.

Behind Place Fell is Martindale and the start of the long ridge that becomes High Street.

Further still along Patterdale Common provides a frontal view of St.Sunday Crag.

Grisedale Beck can be seen flowing down the valley below being fed from several high level tributaries.

Sitting behind St. Sunday Crag, Fairfield is much more in view now, with Dollywagon Pike's Falcon Crag visible on this side of Grisedale Hause.

Hole-In-The-Wall is the official start of the Striding Edge ridge, however, it is still a few hundred yards from the start of the scramble proper.

This image shows the "Wall" stretching out over the main ridge of Birkhouse Moor. There are stiles over the wall at regular intervals, but the "Hole" is in fact a gate built into the wall with a stile over the gate.

Looking back from Hole-In-The-Wall the path back down the flanks of Birkhouse Moor can be easily seen.

On the other side of Grisedale is Birks where this route will descend on the journey home.

At the mouth of the valley, Place Fell is once again seen with the craggy outcrop of High Dodd just to it's left. On the horizon to the left is High Street and to the far left appearing through the haze are the peaks of the Pennines.

Also to the left the sweep of Ullswater can just be made-out behind High Dodd.

Looking up the fellside provides our first view of Helvellyn itself, the flat ridge-top to the left centre.

There are two paths visible here to the right. One takes a more direct route up onto the main ridge along the side of Catsye Cam, the other heads Northwards over Swirral Edge.

In the hollow below Helvellyn (not visible yet) is Red Tarn. Our route will be along the ridge to the left of this bowl, Striding Edge.

Striding Edge begins at Hole-in-the-Wall and then goes on for over a mile to the Helvellyn summit plateau. The first part of the ridge is relatively rounded and has a good path running along the right hand side. This changes upon reaching High Spying How which at 863 m (2,831 ft) is the tallest point on the ridge. At this point a narrow path continues closely to the top of the ridge which in turn becomes increasingly narrow. Scramblers however will move to the summit of the ridge and walk at the very top of the arête.

The side path continues until almost at the end of the ridge where it switches to the left hand side. Scramblers are forced to climb down a short gully to the last tower on the ridge (The Chimney). At this point the ridge joins up to the main Helvellyn massif. All that remains is a walk/scramble up loose rocky terrain to reach the summit plateau which is located about two hundred metres from the summit. Typically a cornice will form here in the winter and this represents the most dangerous part of the hike.

Striding Edge is a notorious accident spot for both hikers and scramblers. Conditions on the ridge at the start of 2008 were described as the worst in 30 years. Two walkers died after falling from the ridge in two separate incidents in the following weeks. Another walker died after falling from Striding Edge in Spring of 2008.

However, many thousands of walkers successfully negotiate the ridge every year and although care should always be taken, it is only when conditions of high wind or snow are apparent that all walkers should consider the low level route.

Just before the start of the scramble a glimpse back can offer yet another aspect over Grisedale and the Far Eastern Fells.

Here, Ullswater can be seen meandering between the fells turning first right then left on its way to Pooley Bridge at the Northern End.

Before concentrating on the demands of Striding Edge, it is worth admiring the view across the void to St. Sunday Crag.

It is the north western face above Grisedale that is St Sunday Crag's chief glory. The long graceful curve of the top is set above a wall of crag half a mile long, the whole face being neatly symmetrical. A series of vertical gullys slice through the crags, which together with the intervening ridges provide sport for scramblers and climbers. The crags peter out at about 1,800 ft, to be replaced by a steep scree slope falling to the valley floor, a further 800 ft below.

On the long, wide summit of Helvellyn is a memorial that pays testament to the size of the plateau.

It reads:
The first aeroplane to land on a mountain in Great Britain did so on this spot on December 22nd 1926. John Leeming and Bert Hinkler in an Avro 585 Gosport landed here and after a short stay flew back to Woodford.

This photo captures the Southwest panorama from Helvellyn's summit.

To the left is the unmistakeable sugarloaf shape of Great Gable. Under this and slightly to the right is the lesser Green Gable with the long top of Kirk Fell next. The longer ridge next right is the Mosedale fells of Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Pillar. On the right edge of the picture is Gamlin End on Buttermere's High Crag

Zooming in on the view to the North offers a clear Winter's view of Skiddaw.

To the extreme left can just be seen the waters of Bassenthwaite Lake. Just to the right of the lake lies Longside with Carlside next before the peak of Skiddaw itself. To the right of the range is the long top of Lonscale Fell, with Great Calva visible through the gap between the Skiddaw fells and Blencathra.

On the left hoizon can be seen the hills of the Scottish Southern Uplands North of the Solway Firth.

Following Helvellyn's summit the ridge walk leads over the back of Nethermost Pike, with the necessary small detour to bag the summit cairn to the left.

To the left from this point is Nethermost Cove at the head of Grisedale. To the right is the long Dip Slope down toward Thirlmere and Wythburn.

This picture is looking back Northwards across Nethermost Cove from Nethermost Pike at Striding Edge.

The view to the South of Nethermost Pike's summit shows Fairfield to the left, Dollywagon Pike centre frame and High Crag, next along the ridge, to the right.

The path ahead, here drops slightly to the right, but if the weather is good, it is worth ignoring this and following the cliff-top to High Crag and beyond thus revealing memorable views over Hard Tarn and Ruthwaite Cove.

From High Crag there is another clear and well defined path along the ridge to Dollywagon Pike.

Here, to the far right a small glimpse of Windermere can be seen on the horizon.

In a more Northerly direction, on the horizon, can be seen Skiddaw on the left and Blencathra on the right.

Directly in front of Skiddaw is Newlands with Dale Head slightly to the left at the head of the valley and, a little to the right, is High Spy bordering Borrowdale and Darewent Water.

Over to the left can be seen Causey Pike and the beginning of the ridge that leads all the way to Grasmoor.

To the right of the picture can just be seen the pale green of Borrowdale.

The Helvellyn range runs broadly north-south for about 7 miles, remaining above 2,000 ft (600 m) throughout its length. Dollywaggon Pike is the southernmost fell of the ridge proper.

Here, in the right foreground, can be seen the rocky ridge of The Tongue. This arête is sent out into Grisedale between the two coves on Dollywagon Pikes Easter edge, Ruthwaite Cove (immediately in front) and Cock Cove (on the far side of The Tongue.

Beyond The Tonguethe the high ground curves south east around Cock Cove before a long slope falls to Grisedale Tarn at around 1,770 ft.

Above The Tongue can be seen Fairfield with the ridge of Deepdale Hause running from right to left to meet the flanks of St.Sunday Crag. The craggy buttress to the left side of Fairfield where the fell first descends to the hause, is Cofa Pike.

This photgraph looks back from the summit of Dollywagon Pike over the secondary peak of High Crag, regarded by all to be a part of Nethermost Pike.

On the far (Southern) side of Dollywagon Pike an old post marks the spot where the fell starts to fall away into Grisedale Hause.

In this picture Fairfield rises from the hause to the centre left. Beyond Fairfield a ridge can be seen running off in a Southwesterly direction consisting of Great Rigg, Rydal Fell and Heron Pike on it's descent towards Rydal Water.

To the bottom right of the picture the edge of Seat Sandal can be seen rising to form a back wall to the cove in which sits Grisedale Tarn.

There is over 900 feet of descent to be undertaken between Dollywagon Pike to Grisedale Tarn.

This is made via a steep slope on the Southern end of Dollwagon Pike over a well worn path. This image is taken from half way down that slope, looking across the cove to Seat Sandal to the right of Grisedale Tarn.

A glimpse to the left on the route down to Grisedale Tarn reveals a stunning view over Grisedale.

St.Sunday Crag rises steeply here to the roght of the valley, with Place Fell almost disappearing in the haze at the mouth of the valley. To the left of Grisedale, the side of Birkhouse Moor can just be seen this route ascended earlier.

Cloud is here seen rising up Tongue Gill from Grasmere and climbing over Grisedale Hause.

This image is take from near the bottom of the path down from Dollywagon Pike which will now lead to the right and behind Grisedale Tarn before rising up the ridge to Fairfield to the left.

This view is from the lower slopes of Seat Sandal at the rear of Grisedale Tarn, looking in an Eastern direction.

To the right is ascent ridge to Fairfield's summit. Left of centre is St.Sunday Crag continuing the route back to Patterdale.

For those Fellwalkers keen to bag as many Wainwrights as possible, the ascent of Seat Sandal offers the additional benefit of a clear panorama of the day's route.

Here, due to the extra height, Cofa Pike can be seen guarding the Eastern side of Fairfield before the ridge to St.Sunday Crag.

Following the 900 fott descent into Grisedale Cove from Dollywagon Pike, is an almost immediate ascent of 1000 feet onto the top of Fairfield. Prior knowledge of this always somehow makes the descent less enjoyable and the ascent that much harder.

This image is from about two thirds of the way up that ascent looking back over the tarn and Seat Sandal.

The view Eastwards from Fairfield summit cairn highlights the Far Eastern Fells of High Street (far left), Kentmere Pike and Ill Bell.

To the extreme right is Windermere.

Fairfield has connecting ridges to several other fells and in plan view can be likened to a bow-tie. The top has an east-west axis with ridges running out north and south from each end.

The summit is a rough stony plateau with the high point at the western end above the brink of Cawk Cove. The top is very flat and there are many cairns, including a pair of large windbreaks near the high point.

At the Eastern end of Fairfield is Cofa Pike, a sub-peak that forms the North running ridge that leads down to Deepdale Hause.

Tis view is from Cofa Pike and is looking back Northwards. From the left can be seen the sloped side of Dollywagon Pike, The Tongue followed by Ruthwaite Cove, High Crag, Nethermost Pike and finally at the highest point, Helvellyn.

From the summit cairn of Cofa Pike, a Northeasterly view reveals the ridge through Deepdale Hause leading to St.Sunday Crag.

Deepdale is the valley to the right and runs almose parallel to Grisedale on the left, rejoining the Ullswater valley at Bridgend, just North of Brother's Water.

When the weather coonditions permit, the view West from Cofa Pike is stunning.

On the left can be seen the familiar "nipple" top of Bow Fell and the higher range of the Scafells. Then following the gap formed by Borrowdale can be seen the sugarloaf shape of Great Gable. Next along the horizon is the peak of Pillar before the gap formed by Ennerdale. The High Stile range is to the right of Ennerdale with Dale Head and the Newlands Fells. To the far right are Grasmoor and Eel Crag before the view is obscured by the side of Dollywagon Pike.

This photograph is taken from the bottom of Deepdale Hause, looking back up at the path leading to the top of Cofa Pike.

The view Westwards from the top of St.Sunday Crag gives a clear illustration of the topography of Dollywagon Pike's Eastern border.

To the right edge of the photograph is Nethermost Pike with Nethermost Cove in front leading down into Grisedale. The summit ridge then continues left to the next sub-peak of High Crag. Dropping down the fellside from here is Ruthwaite Cove. Next along is Dollywagon Pike with the long arête of The Tongue almost side-on to the viwing position with Cock Cove forming the delve in shadow.

To the left is a window to the Western Fells fronted once more by Grisedale Tarn.

Looking to the South with Grisedale Hause this time to the right, Fairfield and the head of Deepdale are visible.

Deepdale Hause forms the ridge running away from the camera position, up over Cofa Pike. The ridge across the image from Fairfield to the left leads to Hart Crag, just out of shot.

Looking over the Eastern end of St.Sunday Crag the path leads down over the final fell of the day, Birks.

This view is of Ullswater's distinctive kink around Silver Crag on Birk Fell to the far side of the Lake. Grisedale can be seen running down to Patterdale on the left, with Birkhouse Moor forming the border on the far side.

On the far side of Birkhouse Moor is the valley of Glenridding with Glenridding Dood leading up to the left to form Sheffield Pike, just out of view.

The route home from St.Sunday Crag is a gently declining ridge walk over Briks and back into Patterdale.

Looking back from the summit of Birks provides an awesome view of the walk undertaken to conquer Helvellyn.

Passing beyond the summit of Birks the path will lead down into Glenamara Park in the hollow before Arnison Crag.

In this picture, running along the horizon is the plateau of Mrtindale Common leading up onto High Street to the right.

To the left in mid-frame is the edge of Place Fell with Angletarn Pikes in sunshine further up the Ullswater Valley. The ridge of Arnison Crag can be seen running away from right to left beyond the brow of Birks.

Dropping down into Glenamara Park is another opportunity to view over the corner of Arnison Crag along Ullswater. Place Fell and Birk Fell are on the far side of the lake.