The Helvellyn range is a long line of fells stretching from Clough Head in the north to Dollywaggon Pike in the south. Walking this ridge offers a rare opportunity to stay above 2,000 feet for many hours and many miles, before dropping down to Grisedale Tarn. The walk continues up over Fairfield and then descends sedately on the eastern side of the Fairfield Horseshoe. This is a classic, challenging walk across the high fells, visiting numerous summits along the way. However, other than the steep ascents of Clough Head at the start of the ridge and up to Fairfield from Grisedale Tarn, most of the day is spent on gentle gradients with little loss of height between the fells. Although the ridge is usually walked from Threlkeld, this extended version from Keswick allows a pleasant warm-up along a horizontal, paved, former railway path.
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Excellent route, have been planning to do something similar over 2 days, with a wild camp somewhere up high. Hadn't thought of including the old railway line from Keswick.
