Helvellyn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helvellyn
Helvellyn from the air in December. Red Tarn (centre) is flanked by Striding Edge (left) and Swirral Edge
Highest point
Elevation	950 m. (3,117 ft)
Prominence	712 m (2,336 ft)
Parent peak	Scafell Pike
Listing	Furth, Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall, Historic County Top, Wainwright, Birkett
Naming
English translation	Pale yellow moorland
Language of name	Cumbric
Geography
Helvellyn Location in Lake District
Location	Cumbria, England
Parent range	Lake District, Eastern Fells
OS grid	NY342151
Topo map	OS Landrangers 90, Explorer OL5

Helvellyn is a famous mountain in the Lake District in England. Its name might mean "pale yellow moorland." It's the highest point in the Helvellyn range, a line of mountains found north of Ambleside. This range sits between two beautiful lakes, Thirlmere and Ullswater.

Helvellyn is the third-tallest mountain in both England and the Lake District. It's often easier to climb than the two higher peaks, Scafell Pike and Scafell. On its eastern side, you can see three deep, bowl-shaped valleys called coves. There are also two sharp, narrow ridges named Striding Edge and Swirral Edge.

How Helvellyn Was Formed

Helvellyn is made of volcanic rocks. These rocks were created about 450 million years ago. This happened during a time called the Ordovician period. The rocks formed inside an ancient volcano's caldera, which is a large crater. Many of these rocks were made during powerful, explosive eruptions.

Later, during the last ice age, huge sheets of ice called glaciers moved across the land. These glaciers carved out the rocks. This is how they created the valleys and ridges we see on Helvellyn today.

Plants and Animals on Helvellyn

After the last ice age ended, some special plants survived on Helvellyn. These are called arctic-alpine plants. They are usually found in very cold places. They grow in safe spots on rock ledges high up in the eastern coves.

A rare type of butterfly also lives on Helvellyn. It's called the mountain ringlet. This butterfly is not found in many other places in Britain.

Exploring Helvellyn

People have been visiting the Lake District for over 200 years. They love the beautiful lakes and mountains. Many visitors make their way to the top of Helvellyn.

Some of the first famous visitors were the poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth. They both lived near the area for a while.

There are many ways to climb Helvellyn. You can approach it from almost any direction. From the top, you get one of the best views over the entire Lake District. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Scotland and Wales!

A Famous Story from Helvellyn

Climbing mountains can be risky. Over the past 200 years, some people have had accidents on Helvellyn. One famous story is about an artist named Charles Gough. He became well-known for his death on Striding Edge in 1805. His loyal dog stayed by his side for many weeks until Gough's body was found.

Unusual Events on the Mountain

People have done some amazing things on Helvellyn. One of the most unusual was in 1926. A small airplane actually landed on the very top of the mountain! After landing, it managed to take off again from the summit. This was a very impressive feat for its time.

Images for kids

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  The eastern side of Helvellyn: Looking down onto Red Tarn from Striding Edge, with the summit of Helvellyn and Swirral Edge beyond

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  The western side of Helvellyn: Helvellyn Screes and Whelp Side seen over Thirlmere from the Wythburn Fells

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  Sketch map of the topography of Helvellyn, with access routes Click to enlarge

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  Looking down onto Striding Edge and towards High Spying How

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  Helvellyn Gill and Browncove Crags (with Raise and White Side beyond), seen from Fisher Crag above Thirlmere

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  The top of Helvellyn, looking north-west from the summit cairn

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  Wordsworth on Helvellyn (1842) by Benjamin Robert Haydon

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  Monument on Helvellyn commemorating the first aeroplane landing there

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  Mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) an alpine species which survives on Helvellyn

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  Pieces of rock from the Helvellyn Tuff Formation, found on Catstye Cam, showing dark-coloured, flattened pieces in the rocks

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  Finely layered sandstone of the Deepdale Sandstone Formation, found near the summit of Helvellyn

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  Remains of a building at Helvellyn Mine, with spoil heaps beyond the gill

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  Nardus stricta, a pale-coloured grass

See also

In Spanish: Helvellyn para niños