Wild Camping (incl. gear) - Helvellyn 1 night (2026)
Experience a proper Great British adventure in one of the UK’s wildest national parks.
Join us for a spectacular guided adventure in the heart of the Lake District, exploring the dramatic Helvellyn massif on a circular route with a wild camp at the legendary Grisedale Tarn. This is a challenge suited to those with a good level of fitness, promising breathtaking vistas, rugged mountain paths, and the thrill of camping high in the fells.
Don’t see a suitable date or looking for a private tour? Contact us ➡️
The Adventure
2 days, 20km, 1,000m ascent. Good fitness required
Begin your journey mid-afternoon, where you’ll meet your guide and fellow adventurers. Your kit; including tents, sleeping bags, mats, and cooking equipment, will all be provided, so you can focus on the adventure itself.
We ascend gently and make our way to Grisedale Tarn, aiming to arrive by around 5pm to set up camp and enjoy a relaxed evening in the wild.
The main walk takes place on day two, when you’ll complete the classic Helvellyn circuit, summiting one the region’s most iconic peaks and traversing spectacular ridges before returning to our start point by midday.
What gear can you expect?
To make your trip as easy as possible, we’ll set you up with a premium tent, sleeping bag and pad, selected based on the expert opinion of our members and curated for the unique demands of this adventure. For this trip, you can expect tents like:
Here’s what we provide for your trip:
A premium, specialist one-person tent, lightweight yet tough, chosen specifically for wild camping in these conditions. If you want to share a tent with another participant, please let us know in advance.
A sleeping bag rated for the expected temperatures. If you know you sleep particularly cold, just let us know — we’ll make sure you have an even warmer option.
A sleeping bag liner. All participants are required to use a liner to keep our bags fresh and clean.
A warm, high-quality inflatable sleeping mat, designed to give you the best night’s sleep possible on the hill.
A pillow and pillow case, because even under the stars, a bit of comfort goes a long way.
*Individual items may vary depending on availability. Free to contact us if you’ve any questions or special requests.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
You’ll meet at Glenridding Car Park at 1300 on Saturday, where you’ll get to know your guide and fellow wild campers. Here, you’ll also be kitted out with your camp gear.
If you need to pick up any last-minute supplies, Penrith has plenty of outdoor shops and there is one in Glenridding. For those arriving early, there’s ample accommodation in the local area.
Once packed, booted and familiar with your kit for the night you’ll set off towards Grisdale Tarn and learn how to choose a cracking wild camp spot. Your guide will cover everything from reading the land and leaving no trace to toilet etiquette and basic map-and-compass navigation.
Expect to pause for a late lunch in a scenic spot around 15:30, before setting up camp around 18:00. That night, you’ll bed down in premium, single-occupancy sleep systems under a sky famed for its stargazing. (Couples can opt for a shared tent if preferred — just let us know in advance.)
Day 2
After a memorable night beneath the stars, you’ll enjoy breakfast at camp before looping back toward the starting point. Along the way, there’ll be another scenic stop for lunch and plenty of time to soak up the breathtaking views.
You’ll aim to reach the start/finish point by around 15:00.
Total distance over the two days will be at least 20km (12.5 miles) with 1,000m of elevation, the majority of the walking will be on day two with around 13km.
Getting in
The trip starts and finishes in Glenridding Car Park, which is easy to reach by car, or bus (arounf 1 hour) from Windamere or Penrith rail stations.
By train: Train to either Windemere or Penrith Station then local bus services to Glenridding
By car: Take the M6 to Penrith then head west on the A66 and A592 should take around 30-40 minutes from Penrith
By air: Accessible from all major UK airports with the most convenient being Newcastle, pick up a hire car or hop on local transport, and be in Glenridding in under two hours.
If you can, we recommend arriving the night before to make the morning meet-up stress-free. There’s plenty of accommodation in the local area, from cosy B&Bs to hotels.
Other information
Group size: Small groups of no more than four campers, keeping things friendly and personal.
Gear: Top-of-the-line camping kit is provided by us, carefully selected by our members to suit the specific demands of the Lake District,, the rugged terrain, unpredictable climate, and the nature of this adventure.
Guides: Experienced, trusted guides who know the Lake District, inside out.
Fitness: Expect two days of moderate hiking with a summit. The pace is steady, with plenty of breaks to catch your breath, enjoy the views, and learn from your guide. You don’t need to be an ultra-runner, but you should be in reasonable physical shape and comfortable walking for several hours with a pack on your back. A bit of hill training beforehand won’t go amiss, and will help you enjoy the adventure all the more.
Flexibility: Routes can be adjusted depending on weather and group ability, always keeping safety and enjoyment top of mind.
Kit List
-
To make sure your trip is as comfortable, safe and memorable as possible, we’ve hand-picked a shortlist of tents, sleeping bags and pads that stand up to the unique demands of the Lake district — from the tough terrain to the famously unpredictable weather.
All our selections are based on countless hours of testing and the expert opinions of our members.
Here’s what we provide for your trip:
A premium, specialist one-person tent, lightweight yet tough, chosen specifically for wild camping in these conditions. If you want to share a tent with another participant, please let us know in advance.
A sleeping bag rated for the expected temperatures. If you know you sleep particularly cold, just let us know — we’ll make sure you have an even warmer option.
A sleeping bag liner. All participants are required to use a liner to keep our bags fresh and clean.
A warm, high-quality inflatable sleeping mat, designed to give you the best night’s sleep possible on the hill.
A pillow and pillow case, because even under the stars, a bit of comfort goes a long way.
It’s gear we’d happily trust on our own adventures — so you can focus on soaking up the mountains.
-
Clothing & footwear
Walking boots (broken in — not fresh out of the box)
Walking poles (recommended, but optional)
3 pairs of socks (2 for walking, 1 spare)
Sufficient underwear
Waterproof jacket & trousers
Gaiters (optional but useful)
Warm layers for the evening — it gets chilly once you stop moving
Appropriate clothing for a day and a half in the hills
Hat & gloves (even in summer)
Sunglasses & sunhat
Backpack & kit
60L+ backpack, suitable for hillwalking, with a waterproof cover
Sitting pad (optional, but keeps your bum dry)
1.5L of water
Water filter (the water’s generally safe, but we still recommend filtering)
Stove & gas (we recommend a small 100g gas canister, easily bought at the start point)
Cooking pot, mug & cutlery
Small washing-up sponge & biodegradable soap
Food waste bag (to carry out all rubbish, including scraps)
Lighter/matches
Food & drink
Sufficient food for two full days, including:
1 evening meal
2 lunches
1 breakfast
Snacks
Tea, coffee, or hot chocolate
Toileting
Trowel
Toilet paper / wet wipes
Hand gel
Plastic bags to carry used paper/wipes
Safety & essentials
Personal first aid kit (guides carry a kit, but bring your own for blisters & small scrapes)
Foil survival blanket (tiny, light, could be a lifesaver)
Whistle
Head torch
Personal medication (and let us know about any allergies or conditions)
Miscellaneous
Mobile phone
Debit/credit card (for bus fare & emergencies)
A bit of cash (just in case)
Insect repellent
Don’t worry, we’ll email you the above in advance of your trip, including links to recommended products, so you can get set up as easily (and cheaply!) as possible.
-
You’ll need to be fit enough to manage an 13km hike carrying around 18kg over undulating terrain. The pace and intensity can vary depending on the group, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate everyone — but a reasonable level of fitness is essential.
We’ve got several stunning routes to choose from, and on the day your Mountain Leader will pick the best option based on the weather (some spots are better in certain wind directions or conditions) and the overall fitness and preferences of the group.
About your Guide
Amy – Qualified Mountain Leader
Amy’s love for the mountains grew from humble beginnings. Having grown up on the flat south coast, she didn’t set foot among real peaks until training to teach in North Wales in 2015. It was an “in at the deep‑end” introduction and she has been hooked ever since. Now, with a decade of experience, an experienced Mountain Leader and teacher, Amy is passionate about creating high quality outdoor experiences, particularly for those who might otherwise have limited opportunities to explore the hills.
Whether she is guiding someone on their very first mountain day or helping seasoned hikers push their limits, Amy delivers experiences that are both empowering and enjoyable. Since moving to the Lake District, she has completed all 214 Wainwrights and can usually be found on the fells, whether working, exploring new routes or simply enjoying a well earned summit view.
With her mix of professional expertise, infectious enthusiasm and a genuine commitment to making the outdoors accessible, Amy ensures every day in the mountains is safe, memorable and rewarding.
Got Questions?
Feel free to contact us with any and all questions. We always aim to reply within 24 hours.