How to scramble Striding Edge
Striding Edge is a classic Grade 1 scramble in the Lake District - and if you’re looking to make your first foray into scrambling territory then it’s the perfect place to start. Here, we take a look at the know-how you’ll need to tackle this epic mountain day.
Keen to have a crack at scrambling but don’t fancy scaring yourself silly on a vertical rock face? Then meet Striding Edge: the rocky Lake District tightrope walk that offers all the airy thrill of a classic scramble with little in the way of technical challenges.
Scrambling grades run from Grade 1 (doable for most competent hill walkers given the right conditions) through to Grade 3 (borderline rock climbs in fantastically exposed situations where knowledge of ropework is often advisable), and Striding Edge comes in at the lower end of the first grade. Some hill folk have even affectionately dubbed it a 0.5 - but that’s not to say it doesn’t pose a challenge for first-timers. This soaring razorback ridge riveted to the eastern side of Helvellyn is narrow and exposed, with world-beating views throughout and a satisfying summit bag waiting at the end.
“It’s partly the situation of the ridge that makes it a fabulous choice for a first scramble,” says Lakes-based mountain leader Mark Eddy of guiding company Mountain Journeys. “It takes in the summit of Helvellyn with a possible extension of the scramble onto Swirral Edge if you’re having a really great time. On the other hand, there’s an option to take an easier route if the exposure is getting to you. It’s the perfect introduction to the sport.”
Get ready to scramble
With spine-tingling exposure on both sides, Striding Edge isn’t the ideal choice if you suffer from vertigo. Other than a good head for heights, though, all you’ll need is basic hill walking know-how.
“You should have the ability to read a map and a compass, because you’ll be finishing on a summit that’s often in cloud,” says Mark. “Having said that, navigating on the scramble itself is straightforward - you just follow the ridge!”
Another pro to choosing Striding Edge as a first scramble is that you won’t need to invest in any special equipment such as ropes or hard-edged footwear. “Normal walking boots are the best choice for this day,” adds Mark. “For much of the ridge you’ll be walking in any case, and the scrambling isn’t demanding enough to require scrambling footwear.”
Exposure factor
Most walkers with Striding Edge in sight start from Patterdale or Glenridding and ramble up to the ‘Hole-in-the-Wall’, a rickety stile that marks the beginning of the ascent up to the ridge. From here there’s a thigh-busting puff to the beginning of the arête, where the exposure really begins to kick in.
“For most of the route, the greatest challenge you’ll face is the exposure,” explains Mark. “For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend tackling it in windy weather, although it’s perfectly doable in both dry and wet conditions.”
So how vertiginous is the view down from Striding Edge really?
“Put it this way - I’ve taken a lot of hill walkers and even a few non-hill walkers up there and nobody has ever frozen,” Mark jokes. “Unless you have a real problem with heights, you should be fine.”
Conquer the crux
The most technically difficult section of Striding Edge is the scrambly descent known as ‘The Chimney’, which sneakily ambushes walkers just below Helvellyn’s summit. It’s a seven-metre rock tower that necessitates an awkward down climb - although nothing that most walkers can’t easily tackle. Just make sure you test every hand and foothold thoroughly and watch out for loose rock. If you’re nervous then Mark recommends asking a more experienced scrambler to accompany you and make the descent first.
“It can be useful to have somebody at the bottom just showing you where to put your feet,” he explains. “Down climbing is more difficult than ascending as people tend to feel the exposure more, and this is definitely the trickiest section of the scramble.”
If you get up there and discover that your nerves can’t take the challenge of this descent then there’s a get-out clause. A path circumnavigates the main difficulties on the Red Tarn side of the ridge; and although you won’t be able to avoid the scrambling completely, you will skip the most difficult part of the descent.
Carry on scrambling…
The final scramble goes over a bulging rock face to the summit of Helvellyn. The line up the middle of the face looks intimidating, but is actually easier than trying to detour around it - a common mistake - by heading up the tortuous scree to the left. Suck it up and head for the middle.
Once at the top, you’ll be left with two choices. If Striding Edge made your palms sweat then a straightforward hill walking path that runs north off the mountain will take you back to Glenridding. If, however, you’re primed for more scrambling then a descent via Swirral Edge is an option.
“I’d say the scrambling on Swirral Edge is actually easier,” says Mark. “The ridge is much shorter and more straightforward. The thing is, though, that you’re coming down, and so most people rate the difficulties equally.”
With Striding and Swirral edges in the bag, you can officially shrug off the tag of scrambling virgin and set your sights on a more challenging classic scramble such as Crib Goch.
- Everything you need to know about the proposed new National Park in North Wales
- Our 6 favourite sunrise & sunset routes for National Hiking Day
- BMC Winter Lecture Series: Bristol
- BMC Winter Lecture Series: Manchester
- BMC Winter Lecture Series: Bangor
- Basic Child Safeguarding Training | Thursday 10th April
- Climbing Equipment Safety
- Top 6 accessible routes for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams
- The British Mountaineering Council welcomes the British Boulder and Lead Championships to Manchester
- Five reasons to go trekking in Europe
- Julie Smith appointed as Head of Finance at the British Mountaineering Council
- Best 6 climbs at Carn Gowla, Cornwall, according to our Local Access Rep
- Your Climbing Counts | Survey Results
- Bouldering outdoors for the first time
- Youth Climbing Series Grand Final
- Five historic walking routes to explore Scotland in autumn and winter
- 5 favourite Exmoor walks using the new Great Bradley Bridge
- Time Together: Lucy Garlick and Natalie Stilwell
- Basic Child Safeguarding Training | Monday 13th January
- Basic Child Safeguarding Training | Tuesday 18th January
- Basic Adult Safeguarding Training | Monday 20th January
- Basic Child Safeguarding Training | Wednesday 19th March
- Women in Adventure Film Workshop at Kendal Mountain Festival
- BMC Community hike at Kendal Mountain Festival with Komoot
- December BMC Open Forum
- Clubs Open Forum
- Promoting your club using social media | Club Support Webinar
- Mental health, nutrition & exercise during menopause
- BMC x ClimbOut Queer Climbing Session at Kendal Mountain Festival
- Top 5 walks & climbs around the newly repaired footpaths at Haytor Rocks, Dartmoor
- Youth Climbing Series Grand Final to be Hosted in Leeds
- A new, exciting idea for your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) days with the BMC
- Gear Maintenance for Climbing and Mountaineering Clubs | Club Support Webinar
- A third of rubbish removed from Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) could be avoided with an All-In Deposit Return Scheme
- Your burning questions answered with Auntie Gravity | Summit Magazine
- BMC welcomes four new members to the Members' Council
- Laura Needham appointed as Head of Performance at the British Mountaineering Council
- Alpine Gems | Dent Blanche, South Ridge
- Happy 100th Gwen Moffat!
- BMC North West Area Hill Walk | Saturday 30th November
- 5 things you didn’t know about hill walking’s most important plant
- Sphagnum moss planting | 15th November
- Climbing in the sun: Steve McClure's ultimate winter destinations
- BMC South Wales Area Meeting
- The future of wild camping on Dartmoor: Supreme Court to decide on historic right
- BMC Huts Seminar
- Aggarwal, Losey Sail, and Musson Medal in Arco at IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup
- 14 reasons why we can't ignore footpath erosion
- BMC volunteers remove 2,765 items of litter from Yr Wyddfa
- British Mountaineering Council 2025 membership fee update
Related Content
Hill Walking Events
Join BMC and komoot on a guided hike at Kendal Mountain Festival 2024. If you have a suitable fitness level for the route and value connecting with other outdoor lovers, you’re invited to hike with us!
Hill Walking Events
BMC members are invited to join a Social Hike in the High Peak delivered by Members of the Rucksack Club on Saturday 30th November 2024
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Scrambling in winter is a step up in every way: here are some tips from the pros for getting it right.
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Now is the prime time to plan your winter adventures. To help you explore the British mountains over winter, we have chosen six stunning winter ridges to guarantee a grand day out.
Rock Climbing Skills
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Hillwalking Destinations
Glen Coe's Aonach Eagach ridge is the most legendary Grade 2 scramble in Scotland. Do you have the skills to take it on?
Rock Climbing Skills
Here's what you need to think about when moving together for scrambling and climbing
Rock Climbing Skills
Scrambling is sometimes described as the middle ground between walking and climbing - and for the higher grades in particular, you’ll need some basic climbing skills. Here's our guide to staying safe on the rock.
Hillwalking Destinations
It's no easy feat, but with a little advice, organisation, knowledge and determination, climbing the Wainwrights is doable for almost anyone. This beginner-friendly guide aims to teach you about the fells and how to plan for and complete them.
Hill Walking Articles
Chris Townsend's top tips on getting the most out of a long-distance adventure, plus three week-long route ideas for beginners, offering a mix of nature, history, solitude and challenge.
Rock Destinations
Here are five of the best places to go for a weekend of nerve-testing scrambling.
Hillwalking Skills
Are you a hill walker wanting to tackle steeper terrain, but nervous about heights? Don’t panic – there are steps you can take to fight the fear.
Hillwalking Skills
In this guide, we share tips to help you navigate your way back to safety in the event of a whiteout.
Rock Climbing Skills
What are the different types of climbing and mountaineering and what do they involve?
Mountaineering Destinations
In 2014, Swiss super-alpinist Ueli Steck flew into Scotland for an under-the-radar mixed climbing hit with British alpinist and photographer Jon Griffith. Sarah Stirling tracked him down to find out just what he thought of our Scottish winter climbing, whether he’ll be back and what he’s got planned next.
Hill Walking Articles
The health and well being benefits of physical activity are numerous. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, there are many mental health and social perks to hillwalking and climbing too.
Hillwalking Skills
The know-how, top tips and gear you'll need for scrambling safely.
Hillwalking Skills
The mountains at night can be hazardous, but also wonderful. Here are a handful of helpful tips for exploring the dark side.
Hillwalking Skills
When should you use crampons? Our guide explains the 'when', 'where' and 'how' of deploying your spiky winter gear.
Article
Here are a few of the most gruelling, exhausting, rewarding and brilliant challenge walks Britain has to offer.
Mountaineering Destinations
What's the best 4,000m peak in the Alps for beginners? We asked five British Mountain Guides who are based in the Alps this question - Tim Blakemore, Jon Bracey, Matt Helliker, Andy Perkins and Tania Noakes. All of them picked a peak in Switzerland - testament to the concentration of excellent peaks of that altitude there.
Hillwalking Destinations
Sarah Stirling lists five of the easiest Munros for beginner hikers to bag!
Hillwalking Gear
Friction blisters on the feet are a common and potentially serious complication of hiking or hillwalking and other outdoor activities. This guide explains how to prevent and treat blisters accordingly.
Article
We've totted up a few fun facts and some trail trivia about this iconic route, including some surprising statistics that are guaranteed to earn you points at the next pub quiz. Read on for everything you need to know about this pioneering path...
Hill Walking Articles
Having a duvet day or a quiet night in? We've got you covered. There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel.
Hill Walking
Forget ghost stories and horror movies - a simple walk in the story-stuffed British wilds is the best way to get your skin crawling.
Mountaineering Learn Gear
Do you carry a first aid kit in the mountains? We take a look at the essentials for any mountaineering first aid kit and how to use them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Mountains have always meant more to humanity than just lumps of rock. We take a look at five summits with mysterious, magical or mythological significance.
Hill Walking News
Many people will have visited the summit of Great Gable in the Lake District and looked at the bronze plaque close to the summit commemorating FRCC members killed in World War One. This plaque was unveiled 100 years ago this year, on 8 June 1924, so this year, the FRCC held a commemorative meet with members staying at their huts in Wasdale, Borrowdale and Buttermere. This was attended by the BMC’s Hill Walking Rep Steve Charles and Lakes Area Rep Ron Kenyon, who sent this fascinating report of the day’s events and the history of the plaque.
Hill Walking
It helps you cope at work, 'heals' your brain, makes you more creative and it could even be better for you than running. Here are six ways walking could be more powerful than you realise.
Hill Walking Articles
Diversity conversations in the outdoors can’t leave anyone out. At ESEA Outdoors UK we’re celebrating the fact that East and Southeast Asian people go outdoors too, in spite of historical erasure and lack of representation in outdoors media. Here’s what you need to know:
Hillwalking Destinations
Watch five great walks in the Lake District, including family inspiration, lesser-known routes to popular summits and dog-friendly fell walking.
Hill Walking Articles
Planning outdoor adventures comes with lots of preparation and adding a period into the mix can be one more thing to think about. While not everyone will be up for a hike or a climb on their period, if you are preparing for your next trip in the good company of menstrual blood, here’s what to do.
Hill Walking Articles
When out for the day it is likely you will need to go to the toilet at some point. Whether it be for ones and twos or refreshing period products, we’ve got you covered with all you need to know to be prepared. Things can get tricky out there so we will run through the ideal options through to the less ideal, but sometimes necessary, options when it comes to toileting. Wherever you can try to focus on what will have the least impact and do as much as possible to leave no trace.
Hill Walking Articles
Menopause is a significant and transformative phase of life. It is a natural biological process during which ovulation stops and periods end. The experience of menopause can be different for each individual and often comes with a wave of physical and emotional changes. In this guide, we will explore the different phases of menopause, common symptoms, and the power of regular movement and exercise to manage symptoms and support good health.
Hill Walking Articles
Christine Cornock shares how she managed her period along the South West Coastal Path multi-day hike.
Hill Walking Articles
Hillwalking Skills
Hill walking in winter covers a spectrum of difficulty and technicality, take a look at winter walking options, and what you’ll need to consider when choosing a route.
Hillwalking Qualification Training
Whether you want a career in the outdoors, or to improve your own personal skills, there are a number of training providers offering courses and instruction.
Hillwalking Gear
This article helps you decide what sort of crampons are suitable for your winter walk, or whether micro-spikes could be an option, as well as discussing the compatibility of crampons to walking boots.
Hillwalking Skills
A look at some of the benefits of poles and how to use them for hill walking.
Hillwalking Gear
Walking boots can be expensive and should last a long time, so this article looks at factors to consider before you buy.
Hillwalking Gear
Points to consider if you're wondering ‘Do I need crampons for walking in winter?’
Hillwalking Skills
Being able to read a map and find your way around the hills is an essential skill for all hill walkers, and practice is the real key.
Hillwalking Gear
A look at types of small, lightweight stoves suitable for hill walking and backpacking trips.
Article
What should you look for when choosing down products? Some factors to consider when investing in new down gear.
Hillwalking Skills
If you’ve enjoyed walking in summer and want to continue through the winter, here are ten things you need to know before you go.
Hill Walking Articles
Clean out your kit cupboard and put a spring in your step knowing that you’re making greener choices throughout the lifecycle of your outdoor products.
Hillwalking Gear
Hill walking doesn’t require as much specialist equipment as many other outdoor activities, but is important to have the appropriate equipment for the route and activity you have chosen and the weather forecasted. In this article we outline the basic equipment every hill walker needs: