The Lion and the Lamb (Helm Crag) is often viewed and admired from the busy Keswick to Grasmere road. The climb does not disappoint and the summit area is a fascinating place, full of hidden hollows and rocky knolls.
Many walkers look back on their childhood and name the Lion & the Lamb (or Helm Crag as it is officially named) as their first memory of the Lake District fells. It is not high, easy to climb, easily accessible from Grasmere and has a summit area which makes it memorable. The highest point is difficult to reach (Wainwright himself never made it) as it is atop a 20 foot slab of rock. This requires some careful scrambling and airily situated, as it is, overlooking the A591 1,000 foot below.
The view of the hill from the valley offers one of the most iconic images of any Lake District fell. However I struggle to see any resemblance to a Lion or a Lamb, just a sharp blade of rock. In fact the Lion and the Lamb from where the fell was originally named is not the summit but lies a few hundred yards to the south but hey ho, why ruin a good story. Away from the memorable summit the climb itself is lovely. It is an excellent path with great views over Far Easedale to Easedale Tarn and back over the village of Grasmere and Loughrigg Fell (another little beauty).
Keep to the woods on the return from the fell and head through the grounds of Lancrigg.
To vary the decent head north before dropping down to a col. At this stage look for the faint path on your left which heads steeply downhill to Easedale. It can be missed.
We walked it with a five and seven-year-old. A great walk and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. But please, please, please be very aware that near the peak that is nearest Grasmere there is a severe drop that you can’t see until you are right on top of it.
The summit is a rocky (but fascinating) place with a few steep drops. Just take care as on any mountain.
Walked this on Saturday 16th Feb 2019, with 4 kids aged 6 to 15 and a dog. Thoroughly enjoyable walk not too strenuous but rewarded with fantastic views over Grasmere and Eskdale Tarn. It was the 1st fell walk for 2 of the children and although they thought it was a bit windy on the top they easily managed it and came down with the sense of achievement. Couldn’t recommend it higher for a rewarding straight forward walk. P.S. easy to find and can’t get lost on the route don’t worry about this.
Enjoy
A gem, but mind yourself on the summit!
Todays target Helm Crag but starting with Steel Fell,Calf Crag and Gibson Knott,10.15 am start from the car park on the A591 Gav and I make our way through the Farm up the hill past the houses and onto The Fells.Steep start nice weather and within an hour we are at the top of Steel Fell Wainwright number one bagged 1,811ft,great views all the way to The Langdales and Helvellyn.We kick on down over the boggy ground to Wainwright number two Calf Crag 1,762ft.Ten minute break and we make for Gibson Knott,weather is holding but you can see its been freezing over night,we meet the first walkers of the day,quick hello and we are off to the top of Gibson Knott,at this point there are snowflakes in the air,its quite nippy.Few photographs taken and we are at the top 1,379ft we can see Helm Crag our final destination,the ground is wet and as we hit the top near The Howitzer we can see that the rock is wet so no attempt to get to the top it today.So we are at 1,299ft approaching THe Lion and the Lamb a quick scramble and we touch base on the top,great views all round,quick break and we are making iur way down to Grasmere,funny but its a good walk down to the village on roads so we find a nice café for a Latte and discuss the day,four Wainwrights bagged in four and a half hours sweet and so was the mint crunch cake see you again soon.
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