Wild camp beneath Helvellyn.
A two-day guided wild camping adventure in the Helvellyn and Ullswater fells. Classic Lake District scenery, a night under canvas and calm small-group leadership throughout.
A classic Lake District mountain experience
Helvellyn is one of the Lake District’s most iconic mountain areas. This trip gives you the chance to experience it differently: carrying overnight kit, travelling through the fells and spending a night in the mountains with an experienced Mountain Leader.
The route is shaped by weather, conditions and group pace. The aim is a memorable, well-managed wild camping journey rather than forcing a fixed summit or ridge objective.
Quick facts
- Duration: 2 days / 1 night
- Meeting point: Glenridding National Park Car Park
- Season: June to August
- Fitness: good hill fitness required
- Kit: equipment hire available
Iconic mountain terrain
Helvellyn, Ullswater views, ridges, tarns and high fell scenery make this one of the most memorable wild camp settings in the Lake District.
A night in the fells
Experience the slower rhythm of the mountains: evening light, a simple camp, changing weather and waking up already in the hills.
Guided throughout
Your Mountain Leader manages pacing, route choices, camp decisions and the practicalities of travelling with overnight kit.
This is not just a summit walk.
The aim is a complete overnight mountain journey. The route and camp location are chosen to give the best experience for the conditions and the group.
Check AvailabilityThe 2-day journey
The outline below gives the intended shape of the trip. Final route choices are made around weather, visibility, ground conditions and group pace.
Day 1 – Glenridding to mountain camp
Meet your Mountain Leader in Glenridding for introductions, kit checks and a route briefing. We then begin our journey into the Helvellyn and Ullswater fells, travelling steadily with overnight packs before choosing a suitable wild camp location.
Day 2 – Morning in the fells
After breakfast, we break camp and continue the mountain journey before descending back towards Glenridding. Depending on conditions, the route may include higher ground, tarns, ridges or quieter mountain lines.
Who this trip suits
- Fit walkers wanting a memorable Lake District wild camp.
- People with some hillwalking experience who want to try backpacking.
- Solo travellers looking to join a small, friendly group.
- Walkers building towards bigger Lake District or Scottish trips.
- You should be comfortable walking uphill with a loaded rucksack.
- You will carry your own food, clothing and overnight kit.
- Routes and camp areas may change with conditions.
- Equipment hire is available if required.
What’s included
- Qualified Mountain Leader throughout.
- Two days of guided mountain walking and wild camping.
- Route planning, pacing and mountain decision-making.
- Campcraft guidance and support.
- Group safety equipment.
What’s not included
- Transport to and from Glenridding.
- Parking charges.
- Food, snacks and drinks.
- Personal clothing and footwear.
- Camping equipment unless hired separately.
Equipment hire
You do not need to buy a full wild camping setup before trying this trip. Optional hire can help remove the equipment barrier.
- Lightweight tent hire.
- Sleeping bag and mat hire.
- Rucksack hire.
- Full backpacking bundles available where stock allows.
Responsible wild camping
Wild camp locations are chosen carefully to reduce impact and suit the conditions. We use discreet, low-impact practice and leave the area as we found it.
- Careful pitch selection.
- Small-group approach.
- Minimal trace campcraft.
- Respect for the Lake District National Park environment.