Helm Crag (extend for Gibson Knott & Calf Crag)
Park at: Red Bank Road Car Park in Grasmere (pay and display car park)
Distance: 4 mile in total returning same way or 10 mile circular route
Duration: 2 hours returning same way or 6 hours circular route
Height: 405m / 1,329 ft
Wainwright height ranking: 201 of 214
1) Exit the entrance to the car park and walk down Langdale Road.
2) Continue along Langdale Road which becomes Broadgate. Turn left after Mathildes Cafe onto Easdale Road.
3) Follow Easdale Road for about a mile with the road bending right and left before crossing a large flat grassy area.
4) Between buildings turn right into a stoney lane signposted 'Public Bridleway Far Easdale Helm Crag Footpath'
5) At the top of the lane go through the gate and turn left. In around 50m turn right onto a track signposted 'Helm Crag'
6) Go through another gate and bear first right, then left up on the zig zag path.
7) Join the path alongside the wall which ascends a flight of engineered steps.
8) Follow the obvious, well trodden path right to the top which is steep in a number of places.
9) The short final ascent to the summit is a bit of a scramble over large rocks.
10) When you reach the top you will see two separate crags pointing out of the top, when you approach the first this is the one where it gets its name ‘Lion and the Lamb’
11) The second is the true summit of Helm Crag called the 'Howitzer' which I would not advise you to climb unless you are an experienced climber. Views in every direction are breathtaking. Take in the views of Helvellyn to the Fairfield range to Grasmere Village.
12) From the summit you can choose to simply retrace your steps or alternatively follow the extended circular route below back to the start visiting two more Wainwrights along the way, Gibson Knott and Calf Crag - see 13)
13) Gibson Knott is the next fell along. Descend from Helm Crag and head towards the next fell along across the ridge and begin the ascent. It won't be long before you reach the summit of Gibson Knott marked with a cairn. Take in the spectacular 360-degree views right across the fells.
14) Continue in the same direction on to the third Wainwright - Calf Crag. Its a longer walk and more of a climb to reach the summit compared to the walk to Gibson Knott from Helm Crag. The summit is marked with a cairn and you can see a little tarn at the top. Take in yet more stunning views.
15) You will see a path that heads down into Far Easdale Valley. Descend the path into the valley and follow it all the way back to Grasmere. The path follows a beck which can be impressive with the waterfalls if we have had some rain.