Over The Helm.
Start. Oxenholme Post Office.
Route. Oxenholme Post Office - Helmside Road - Oxenholme Road - Station Inn - The Helm - Burton Road - Helmside Road - Oxenholme Post Office.
Notes. They say the hills you neglect most are the ones closest to home, the hill closest to home for me is The Helm, affectionately known by friends as my back garden, in truth it almost is, I can step out of the back door straight onto it's steep northern slopes. As I don't want every man and his dog wandering up the garden path I'll let you into a secret, there's loads of convenient parking on and around the hill, plenty of paths climb it's slopes all leading to the summit ridge, where you'll be gifted with stunning views to all points of the compass, it must be good, an earthwork adorns the summit, the remains of a Brigant Fort built around 800BC. So next time you have an hour to spare or the weather gods have forced you off the high fells early, leave the map and compass in the car and take a wander up my back garden, then maybe call round for a brew, the kettles always on
The Station Inn originally a farm house dating back to the late 19th century.
Ascending the slopes of The Helm.
Viewing the snow covered Howgill Fells from the slopes of The Helm.
Stunning views over Kendal and it's castle to Potter Fell, backed by a snow capped Harter Fell and High Street.
Seen from The Helm's summit ridge Kendal Fell rises above the town.
Views over the valley of St Sunday's Beck, under snow the Howgill Fells.
I'm not a great fan of Friends of the Lake District, to their credit in 2007 they purchased the eastern side of The Helm, promptly clearing the land of brambles and constructing gates for safe access, it's now there for all to enjoy, a thumbs up on this occasion.
Seen over the Kent Valley Sizergh Fell and the White Scar face of Whitbarrow.
Walkers stride out along the summit ridge.
Benson Knott seen over Hayclose.
It may only be 607ft high but with wonderful views like this one over Kendal who's complaining.
Looking west flicking through the pages of tomorrows walk, Scout Scar.
Adorning the summit Castlesteads Fort.
Another mouth-watering view to the northwest.
The Helm summit looking over the flat lands of South Cumbria.....
.....and north to the distant peaks of southeast Lakeland.
Spectacular views to Morecambe Bay.
Looking to the village of Natland in the Kent Valley, rising to the skyline the limestone escarpment of Scout Scar.
Magical vistas from Castlesteads Fort.
Seen over rolling pastures to the south, a hazy Farleton Fell dominated the scene.
Looking back to the summit of this extraordinary little hill.
Views back up the slopes of The Helm.