This surely has to rank as one of the finest routes in the Eastern Fells – The Raise Beck Trek to Helvellyn. And yes, that is a bold statement considering it has to compete with Striding Edge for the same title! Scroll down or read below for a video guide to the trail.

It’s a true hidden gem in an otherwise massively popular hiking area. There are two reasons for this.

The first is that accessing the starting point at Dunmail Raise is a bit tricky. There is a sort of lay-by on the western side of the main road going north out of Grasmere but it’s very easily missed unless you know about it beforehand. Then, if you do miss it, it’s a bit tricky to say the least to turn around because the road immediately splits into a dual carriageway system, split by a hill… I accessed the start by heading up the Wythburn route first, then heading down Raise beck, before filming it going back up. I appreciate that’s a tad extreme so my advice is to actually get a bus to the start as the bus stop is only 2 mins down the road. If you decide to hike here from Wythburn car park please, please be warned that the ‘ford’ marked on the map connecting that trail to the Raise Beck Trek is a full-on river crossing. I highly advise against that!

Secondly, when you do get to the stile that crosses the metal wire fence, the pathway looks a little bit boring really. It certainly does not look like the start of an amazing hike. This could make it unpopular and therefore quiet, which is very rare in the Lakes. But don’t judge a book – some amazing things are to be discovered.

If you decide to press on, the river to your left is forced into a narrow, steep-sided valley (see photo above) and then becomes a series of cascading waterfalls. The trail runs to the right of these, on the southern side, and although you will have to take your time, there is no technical scrambling involved, but it is rocky enough to feel adventurous. The atmosphere, and the geography, are incredible.

Take a moment to look down the valley and you will see a wall of mountains to the west (Steel Fell), and the head of Dunmail Raise sandwiched in between central and eastern fells. The beating heart of the English Lake District. A superb spot for a bit of a picnic, I think you’ll agree.

Surely it can’t get better than this?

It’s actually just getting started. The next two sections are each better than the previous – the northern end of Grisedale Tarn, followed by a superb route up to the highest fells in this region.

Hike the full height of the cascades, and you’ll arrive at Grisedale Tarn. It’s a good area to adjust your route plan if needed, or to simply savour and enjoy if all is going well. Head north around the tarn, gradually gaining height before joining up with the main path up to the first false, then real, summits of Dollywaggon Pike. The false summit makes for a fantastic photo spot for a group.

The main path actually skirts around the summit, focused solely on getting to Helvellyn. If you wish to top out on Dollywaggon Pike, High Crag and Nethermost Pike, then you’ll have to head right at the cairn junctions when they appear. A cairn is a big pile of stones, obviously man-made. Some are way markers, others are old burial mounds which have since become way markers. They are very useful guides in mist and bad weather. My video highlights the junctions.

If it’s a good day, you will have superb views to the east overlooking Patterdale and Ullswater. In fact, you’ll basically have fantastic views in almost every direction. The leading lines of the ridge tops will entice you higher and higher. Carry on going until you pass a path heading down to your left (this is the Wythburn route, see my YouTube video for more info) and then up for a final time to the cross of dry-stone benches and cairns that mark the top of Helvellyn.

Some photos and a video below – enjoy!