Helm Crag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helm Crag |
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Looking to Helm Crag from Gibson Knott
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 405 m (1,329 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 60 metres (197 ft) |
| Parent peak | High Raise |
| Listing | Wainwright |
| Geography | |
| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Central Fells |
| OS grid | NY327094 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL5, OL7 |
Helm Crag is a famous fell (which means a hill or mountain) in England's beautiful Lake District. It's located in the Central Fells, just north of the village of Grasmere. Even though it's not very tall, it stands out because of its unique shape and the cool rock formations at its top. These rocks are so special that they give Helm Crag another name: 'The Lion and the Lamb'. Many people recognize this hill because it's easy to spot from Grasmere village.
The famous author and walker, Alfred Wainwright, loved Helm Crag. He wrote that it offers 'an exhilarating little climb' and adds a lot to the natural beauty of Grasmere.
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What is Helm Crag Like?
Helm Crag is at the end of a rocky ridge. This ridge curves first east and then southeast from a place called Calf Crag. It passes over another hill, Gibson Knott, and a dip in the land called Bracken Hause, before reaching Helm Crag. From there, the land drops steeply on all sides.
To the north and east of this ridge is the Greenburn valley. This valley's water flows into the River Rothay at a spot called Helm Side. To the west and south, you'll find Easedale Beck, which is also a stream that feeds into the River Rothay. The two streams meet just north of Grasmere village. Helm Crag is generally quite rugged, with notable rocky areas like High and Low Raven Crags on its eastern side, and White Crag at its southern tip.
The Rocks at the Top
The very top of Helm Crag is quite unusual! It has two short, parallel ridges that run from northwest to southeast, with a dip in between them. The ridge on the western side is a bit higher. If you go a little further down from the eastern ridge, you'll see the same pattern repeated: another parallel ridge, a ditch, and a wall-like feature before you reach the main crags (steep rocks).
It might look like someone built these features, but they are all completely natural! From the top, you can see amazing views of other famous peaks like the Langdale Pikes, the Coniston Fells, and the Eastern Fells.
The Lion and the Lamb Rocks
The rock formations at each end of the highest ridge are what make Helm Crag so famous. You can only see one of these rock shapes at a time from the valleys below. They have different names depending on where you are looking from!
The rock formation on the northwestern side is actually the highest point of the fell. It's a bit tricky to climb right to the very top. People call it different things:
- "The old lady playing the organ" when seen from Mill Gill.
- "The howitzer" (a type of cannon) when seen from the top of Dunmail Raise.
- "The lion and the lamb" or "The lion couchant" (meaning a lying lion) when seen from somewhere in between.
The rock formation on the southern side is very easy to see from Grasmere village. This is the one traditionally known as "The Lion and the Lamb."
How to Climb Helm Crag
Most people start their climb of Helm Crag from the village of Grasmere. However, you can also reach it from either the Greenburn or Easedale valleys by going through Bracken Hause. Another way is to walk along the ridge from Gibson Knott.
