By Miryam
There’s something about setting off when it’s still dark that makes a hike feel like an adventure. Maybe it’s the quiet, or the anticipation of seeing the sunrise from the top of a peak - it’s just a great experience. Jack and I decided to walk up to the Helvellyn ridge for a snowy hike, and it turned out to be one of those days we’ll remember as a highlight of winter.
The Route
I usually avoid Helvellyn because it’s often so busy, but the location makes it a great sunrise spot so we decided to go for it. The heavy snow must have put a lot of people off because we had Raise to ourselves for sunrise and then the ridge wasn’t too busy either, especially once you walk away from the top of Helvellyn.
We started from Thirlmere, the sky still pitch black and bitterly cold above us. We followed the steep path up to Sticks Pass which was covered in snow from the beginning and it didn't take long before it was pretty deep. Everything looked like a winter wonderland, and as it began to get lighter, the silhouettes of the peaks around us came into view. The expanse of snow-covered fells under the pink sky looked really quite arctic, and we didn’t feel like we were in England at all!
We made it to Raise just in time for the sunrise, and wow - was it worth the early alarm. We paused to take many, many photos and just immerse ourselves in the scene. With a view of Hlevellyn, Swirral Edge, and the snow covered peaks all around us, we were blown away! After a warming coffee and a snack, we were officially freezing so decided to make a move.
From there, we carried on along the ridge, passing over Whiteside, Lower Man, and up to Helvellyn. We took a break with a properly alpine looking view over Striding Edge and had some brunch in the sun - food always tastes better outside. After that, we kept going, hitting Nethermost Pike and High Crag, before turning around and walking back the way we came, so we could enjoy the elevated views for the rest of the walk.
The Sunrise
We started our hike at 6:40 AM, still in the dark. Slowly, it began to lighten - by about 7:15 AM, the dark blue sky started to give way to shades of pink and orange as we made it to Raise.
When we crested the hill onto Raise, we finally saw the sunrise and the view across to Helvellyn. It was an impressive reveal! The sky was on fire with orange and pink, and it lit up the snow-covered landscape that make the Cumbrian fells look more mountainous than usual. We were freezing, the wind was cutting through us like a knife, but that added to our awe of the environment. The view was surreal.
What We Packed: Essentials for a Winter Sunrise Hike
When you’re hiking in winter, you want to be sure you’re prepared. Here’s what we packed for the trip:
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Headtorches: They were a must, especially since we were starting so early. The light from the headtorch helped a tonne until the sun started coming up. It’s also a good idea to carry one in case your route takes longer than expected and you’re still out in the evening.
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Microspikes: The snow made things slippery, so these were a lifesaver. Definitely recommend bringing them if you’re out in winter conditions, especially if you’re walking along a ridge. They’re easy to take on and off, and they’re comfortable to walk in all day.
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Hiking Poles: Gave us a little extra balance on the snowy trails.
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Food & Drinks: We were hungry after all that hiking, so we packed sandwiches, hot cross buns, and a flask of coffee.
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Cameras & Layers: The views were so stunning that we couldn’t resist taking photos (tip: wear glove liners! I learned the hard way that my fingers would get cold fast, and constantly using my camera wasn’t helping with that).
- Atom Pack: Of course, I never hike anywhere without this!!
Other Info
The weather was perfect for the sunrise - clear skies in the east with a band of wispy clouds coming in from the west. We were lucky enough to spot a few skiers on Helvellyn and Stybarrow Dodd, which was pretty awesome to see, especially since it was the first time I’d seen anyone skiing up there. We even saw a kite skier!
We ended up taking around 6 hours to complete the hike, from 6:40 AM to about 2 PM. The snow made things slower than usual, so it wasn’t the fastest hike ever, but it was definitely one of the most rewarding.
Final Thoughts
I would definitely recommend this route if you’re looking for a winter hike with great views, solid trails, and a great viewpoint for the sunrise. The route is easy to follow and the ridge offers amazing views all day long, which is one of the reasons we loved it. Just make sure to pack the right gear - microspikes, layers and a camera!
