Helm Crag Walk From Grasmere – Everything You Need to Know
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Are you looking to do the Helm Crag walk from Grasmere? You’ve come to the right place! As someone who’s a sucker for a good view, but hates heights, Helm Crag is one of my favourite walks in the entire Lake District National Park.
The Helm Crag walk isn’t particularly easy, but it’s a lot easier than some other hikes in the Lake District that offer similar views. And if you’re scared of heights (like me), it’s a great walk to do as there aren’t any sheer edges and drops. The entire walk is surrounded by shrubbery and trees, so you won’t feel that icky wobbly you might on other hikes.
The total height of Helm Crag is only 405 metres, but it doesn’t fail to give some dramatic views of Grasmere village and the surrounding fells. So, what do you need to know before doing the Helm Crag walk from Grasmere? Let’s get started!
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Helm Crag walk from Grasmere: A Summary
Helm Crag is located north of Grasmere, in the Lake District National Park in England. It is one of the most well-known walks in the Lake District, and the craggy peak can be seen from the ground on a clear day. Helm Crag is technically a Wainwright and is also known as ‘The Lion and the Lamb’, due to its distinctive rocky features.
Helm Crag is one of the best walks in the Lake District because it is accessible to so many. You can hike Helm Crag from Grasmere with a moderate level of fitness, with the terrain being fairly even and on gravel throughout.
There are no toilets or food and drink facilities on route to the Helm Crag summit. You will need to purchase essentials in Grasmere beforehand and remember to fill your water bottle before starting your Helm Crag walk.
| Elevation gain | 405m (1329ft) |
| Distance from starting point | 8.2km |
| Difficulty level | Easy-moderate |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours from start to finish |
| Facilities | Toilets and refreshments in Grasmere |
| Postcode | LW22 9SW |
| Parking | Grasmere, pay and display car park next to the garden centre (LA22 9SJ) |
| Closest village | Grasmere |
| Nearest train station | Penrith |
| Nearest bus stop | 555 which runs from Kendal to Grasmere |
Where to stay in the Lake District
If you’re only staying in the Lake District for a few nights, I recommend staying in Ambleside. Ambleside is known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, and is one of my personal favourite areas, as it’s within walking distance of Lake Windemere.
If you’re only visiting the Lake District briefly, it’s an easy way to see some of the quintessential grey slate buildings, traditional pubs, and modern Lake District restaurants. Ambleside is also only a ten-minute drive from the Helm Crag walk starting point.
- If you’re a solo traveller in Ambleside, I recommend staying in the YHA Hostel. It’s a short distance from the centre of Ambleside, and you’ll be able to meet other solo backpackers. ➡ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
- Want a cute and cosy cottage in Ambleside? Our favourite is Grayling Cottage. It’s just a one-minute walk from Ambleside town centre and is beautifully decorated. ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
- For a luxurious one-night stay in Ambleside, check out The Ambleside Inn. It’s an 18th-century hotel which will give you a true ‘English countryside’ experience. ➡ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!
Getting around the Lake District
If you can, take a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport. Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
However, if you haven’t got access to a car, exploring the Lake District can still be done! The Lake District has amazing public transport (a lot better than some of the rest of the country), and you can whizz around on buses and boats. For more information about travelling around the Lake District without a car, you can check out my guide here.
➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!
Where is Helm Crag?
The starting point for the Helm Crag walk is in the small town of Grasmere in the Lake District National Park. You can also park in Grasmere for the Helm Crag walk. If you are using Google Maps, you can enter ‘Grasmere garden centre’ and be directed straight to the car park. The postcode is LA22 9SJ.
Getting to Helm Crag
🚗 TRAVELLING TO HELM CRAG BY CAR
If you are travelling to Helm Crag by car, park at the Grasmere garden centre. Grasmere is a short distance from the town of Ambleside, and shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes to reach.
🚌 TRAVELLING TO HELM CRAG BY BUS
If you are using the bus to reach Helm Crag, you can board the 555 to Grasmere. This is a double-decker open-top bus which runs from Keswick to Grasmere. If you need more help on getting public transport around the Lake District, check out my travelling around the Lake District without a car post here.
Where to park for Helm Crag
If you are using Google Maps, you can enter ‘Grasmere garden centre’ and be directed straight to the car park for Helm Crag. The specific postcode is LA22 9SJ.
Route description for the Helm Crag walk from Grasmere
Once you have parked your car in Grasmere, head towards Easedale Road to see the first signposts for Helm Crag. Walk past some quintessential Lake District cottages, until reaching the field where your ascent will begin.
The Helm Crag walk is simple to follow. We stopped along the route to admire some of the views, as there are quite a few flat resting areas for you to take a pause and take it all in (also good if you’re feeling a little out of breath).
The majority of the terrain on the Helm Crag walk is loose gravel and pathways. As you ascend, there is a small section of the dry stone wall at the top which may require you to use your hands. If you have a good balance, no hands will be required. This part isn’t a scramble, as it is still relatively easy, and has no edges or surrounding drops.
When you reach the top of Helm Crag, you will notice there are a few different sections to climb to the summit of the craggy rock. For me personally, the first summit was enough. I could see the views of Grasmere and the mountains towards the Helvellyn range. There was enough flat land to stop and see the same views as the final summit.
However, you can continue to climb and scramble over a small area to reach the largest rock at the top. Don’t underestimate it, as it does require a bit of scrambling expertise and patience!
If you plan your trip well enough, aim to reach the summit at sunset for incredible golden-hour views. On your descent, follow the same path back down. It’s an easy route back to Grasmere and will not take you very long.
What can you see on the Helm Crag walk?
The views from the Helm Crag summit are beautiful. If it’s a clear day, you can see straight across to Helvellyn and the Fairfield range, as well as the village of Grasmere. It’s a stunning Lake District viewpoint, and the moderately easy hike is well worth the views.
Helm Crag walk FAQs
1) Is Helm Crag a difficult walk?
As long as you have a basic level of fitness and some good outdoor shoes, you will be able to do the Helm Crag walk. It does have a steep ascent (and you will most certainly feel it in your calves afterwards), but there are no technical climbing aspects to the Helm Crag walk.
In Wainwright’s guide to Helm Crag, he said “this is one of the few hills where ascent and descent by the same route are recommended”, which we found to be true!
2) Where do you park to walk to Helm Crag?
There are a few options when parking for the Helm Crag walk, but the easiest car park will be the pay and display car park next to the garden centre (LA22 9SJ). Prices vary for hours needed and whether you are a National Trust member. You can also park at the Lancrigg pub and begin your walk from there.
3) Why is Helm Crag called the Lion and Lamb?
Helm Crag is known as the Lion and Lamb due to its two distinctive summit rock formations, one towering over the other. On a clear day, the two rocks can be seen from Grasmere. Helm Crag (or the Lion and the Lamb) is known as one of the most distinctive views in the lakes.
The Lion and Lamb rocks can be summited at the top of the Helm Crag walk, although will require a bit of scrambling to do so!
4) Is the Helm Crag walk easy?
Even though short parts of the Helm Crag walk are steep and some scrambling is required, it is definitely one of the easier walks in the Lake District.
5) How long does it take to do the Helm Crag walk?
If you’re a quick walker, the Helm Crag walk will take around 2 hours. This includes descending back to Grasmere. I would budget at least 2-3 hours to summit and descend if you want to admire the views and take photos.
6) What is the least touristy part of the Lake District?
The further out of the National Park (and away from villages like Ambleside, Windemere and Bowness) will be the least touristy areas. If you stay in one of the towns just outside of the National Park (like Ulverston), you will be around fewer tourists than in the centre.
If you want to save some money on accommodation, Ulverston is a short drive out of the Lake District National Park. But, it is still one of the prettiest villages in the surrounding areas and in this Lake District area guide!
Beautiful Ulverston accommodations:
- If you’re travelling to the Lake District in a group, check out The Stables’ three-bedroom house. It’s cosy, has its own garden and BBQ for you to use, and is close to the town centre. ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
- A cottage suited more for couples is Sunnybank. It’s cosy and comfortable, and has its own outside space for you to enjoy! ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
7) What are the best maps for walking in the Lake District?
If you are doing any kind of walking or hiking in the Lake District, you will need Ordnance Survey OS Explorer maps. Most of the hikes are not signposted and Google Maps is not accurate on mountain trails. The OS Explorer maps cover the whole of the Lake District but are broken down into different areas. Make sure you buy the right map for the area you would like to hike in.
➡ Buy your Lake District Ordnance Survey OS Explorer maps now!
8) When is the best time to visit the Lake District?
You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year; as it’s an ‘any kind of weather’ destination in the UK. However, if you want the cheapest accommodation prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring). During the winter months (November – February), you can expect layers of snow to be covering the trails and paths.
Summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive months to visit the Lake District, as well as being the busiest. But of course, it’s when you’ll get the best weather, with dry, hot and sunny days.
➡ Visiting the Lake District in winter? Check out this detailed guide on what to do during the colder months.
9) Do I need a car to visit the Lake District?
If you’re visiting the Lake District and are short on time, I recommend hiring a car. However, it is possible to get around the Lake District using public transport.
If you’re looking to hire a car in the Lake District, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in the UK now!
10) What tours should I do in the Lake District?
Looking to book a tour in the Lake District? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
If you’re visiting for the first time, the tours I recommend doing are:
- Ten Lakes Full-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
- William Wordsworth and Dove Cottage Half-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
- Beatrix Potter Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
➡ You can check out available tours in the Lake District with prices here!
11) Do I need a SIM card to visit the Lake District?
If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Helm Crag walk from Grasmere: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Helm Crag walk. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District and doing the Tarn Hows circular walk, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Lake District content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
