Stage 1: To Grisedale Tarn

The walk starts east from Dunmail Raise, going up the narrow valley between Seat Sandale and Willie Wife Moor. The beginning of the path can be challenging to find in the high bracken: stick to the right-hand side of the stream and don’t be tempted to head uphill too steeply or you’ll end up on Seat Sandal itself. Follow the path up the ghyll for around 2 km, until you reach a saddle before Grisedale Tarn. Keep on the path to the left of the tarn.

Stage 2: Tarn to Helvellyn

From the saddle, walk along the path to the left-hand side of the tarn for about 400 m, before taking the steep, zigzagging path up Dollywaggon Pike. It is a well-maintained path with good steps all the way up. The path quickly leads up to the crest of a crag, which we will walk north along until we reach Helvellyn. First on the crag is the summit of Dollywaggon Pike, then High Crag and Nethermost Pike. After just over 2 km on the ridge, we reach the summit of Helvellyn.

Stage 3: Descent to Thirlmere

After the summit, we head south (back exactly the way we came) for around 600 m. At this point take care to turn off the main path at the right point: it is easy to miss the right turn just before the summit of Nethermost Pike that will take us down to the valley. Once on the path, it is good and easy to follow. It winds steeply down the fell, and enters a plantation of spruce trees near the bottom. Shortly after entering the threes, turn right on the forestry track. Follow this track as it leaves the trees and becomes a path, eventually leading back to Dunmail Raise after about 2 km.