The Browncove Crags and Helvellyn walk in the Lake District

South from the large roadside lay-by on the A591 to Swirls Car Park, then south-east to the summit of Helvellyn via Browncove Crags and Lower Man. South in the direction of Nethermost Pike before heading south-west to descend the mountain by way of Birk Side and Comb Crags. Finally north along the forestry track beneath the Helvellyn slopes all the way back to the starting point. A 7-mile walk in the Lake District.

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The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Lake District North-Eastern Area, reference OS Explorer OL5, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.

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The view of Thirlmere (Reservoir) from the Browncove Crags area. Bassenthwaite Lake is visible in the distance.

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The shelter near the Helvellyn summit, height 950 metres (3117 feet).

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The grassy slopes of Middle Tongue and Whelp Side on the western flanks of Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn.

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As we descend, Harrop Tarn can be seen on the far side of Thirlmere. The tarn is situated within a corrie (a bowl-shaped valley) above the south-west side of the reservoir. It is a classic example of a glacial tarn formed as a result of glacial erosion during the last ice age.

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Looking north-west across Thirlmere from Comb Crags. One of the best views in the Lake District. The two islands in the reservoir are Hawes How Island and Deergarth How Island.

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The steep, rocky path near Comb Crags.

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The last part of the descent from Comb Crags into the woodland near Wythburn.

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Comb Gill. The stream originates from above Comb Crags on the western side of Nethermost Pike and cascades down the mountainside before flowing into Thirlmere.

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Whelpside Gill, just a few metres north of Comb Gill. This stream descends through the valley between Whelp Side and Middle Tongue and continues its flow into Thirlmere.

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Heading north on the forestry track beneath the western slopes of Helvellyn, with great views of Thirlmere from a lower level.

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Another waterfall seen from the forestry track. This stream originates from Brownrigg Well about 80 metres below the Helvellyn summit. It cuts a channel between Helvellyn Screes and Whelp Side and empties into Thirlmere.

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