Helton To Roe Head Lane, A Short Walk For Kids Over the Lake District Fells

Helton

If you’re staying near Ullswater or on the east of The Lake District and you’re looking for a short hike with children, this walk is a perfect mini-hike for kids.  It starts from Helton, Askham Fell and culminates short of Ullswater near Pooley Bridge or into Pooley Bridge if you want to. Read on for a map and photo prompts.

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Lake District
Lake District

Walking From Helton To Roe Head Lane

This short walk, which is mostly flat and across a wide farm track takes you from the fells of Helton over to Roe head lane near Pooley Bridge. Whilst you’re able to then walk on to Pooley Bridge (an extra mile and a quarter), we decided not to and did a round walk back up onto the fells where we’d parked.

If the weather is nice, you can take a dip in the stream that runs across Askam Fells or have a picnic. It’s a gorgeous area to spend time in.

Click here for another short walk from Helton To Whale.

Helton
Thanks to where2walk.co.uk for this map. Click this photo to go to their site.

Getting To Helton (Askham) Fells

Although you access the fell from the village of Helton it is called Askham CP Fell. Having driven through the village and over the cattle grid you will pass two farms on your right and a number of small wooden signs (knee height) but it is the tall wooden sign on your right that you need to look for.

It is just to the right of a gravel area where you can park.  Other than this parking, parking is entirely on the grass – which can be wet.  If your car is heavy, old, useless or all three, like ours was, I’d advise that you park on the gravel area.

Helton Fell, Cumbria
This tall wooden sign is the path to follow.

Flat Hiking Over The Fells

The walk is relatively flat, aside from a few puddles and the path is well worn. Unless you stray from the path (continuing straight at all times) it is impossible to get lost!  It’s a super simple walk of less than 3 miles return and perfect for kids.

Surrounded by sheep and bracken it is a very peaceful walk that gives way to amazing views of Ullswater.

Walking In the Lake District With Kids
Relatively flat walk

Can You Touch The Sheep?

You will share your walk with sheep but have no fear they have no inclination to be any proximity to you. My kids have been desperate to touch one and have made it their mission but failed miserably which has been quite funny to watch.

If it’s wool that you’re after, there are loads to pick up – even if it is wet and smelly.

Expect Weather Changes

Being in The Lake District you need to prepare for EVERY eventuality; rain, shine; snow; wind; sleet… Yup, in ten minutes it can all change.

We left our walk all wrapped up except the boy, who took off his lovely waterproof jacket and said he was SO HOT he had to walk with just his hoodie. Strange boy. It was 6*c. It didn’t seem to perturb him though.

Askham Fell, Lake District


Book This Beautiful B&B Close By

Helton, Askham Fell
The White House B&B

Landmarks To Look Out For

There are a number of landmarks along the way that you can look out for.

Many, many years ago a Roman road ran over the hills and the area is littered with stones and ring cairns.  It is likely that the stone circles relate to a settlement and burial ground from the Bronze Age. The cop stone is shaped like a tooth and leans to one side.

Helton
The cop stone
Helton
A ring cairn
Helton
A ring cairn

Jump In The Muddy Puddles

It’s The Lake District and there are lots of muddy puddles. Don’t underestimate their depth but they’re great for encouraging kids along a walk. Jumping puddles is a big favourite of ours.

Water Puddle, Askham Fell
Puddles
Helton
Jumping puddles

The Views Over Ullswater Are Spectacular

As you’re walking along, you suddenly realise the terrain is starting to drop down and you’re met with the most beautiful views of Ullswater.  The view is so striking that it stops you in your tracks and you’re stood there feeling rather inconsequential.

Autumn in The Lakes is such a special time; the trees turn the most fantastic range of colours russet reds, burnt oranges and browns; the grass is green and lush but the bracken is still brown and crunchy.

Ullswater from Askham Fell
Suddenly the path starts to drop down and you’re rewarded with amazing views of Ullswater.
Helton
Ullswater steamer from the fell
Helton
The view of Ullswater from the fell.
Helton
Ullswater from above
Helton
Looking down on Ullswater
Helton
The colours of the trees contrasting with the grass

Book Your Stay Nearby In This Gorgeous Self-Catering Cottage

Stay Near Helton
Howes Beck Cottage


Other Marks To Look Out For

It was autumn when we visited and there weren’t many flowers still around, except gorse however in the summer there are many wildflowers growing as well as butterflies and birds.  You might see birds of prey or maybe a huge big shark…

Helton
We think this might be an osprey but we’re not sure
Helton
Military jets flying low overhead

Dropping down to Roe Head Lane

All of a sudden, the fell gives way to a steeper, bare but rocky path as you drop down onto Roe Head. There were a number of cars parked on the side of the road and the huge road sign saying ‘ROE HEAD LANE’ kind of gives it away!!

There might be a few sheep to meet you too but really they’re antisocial buggers.

Once you have hit Roe Head, you have the option to continue to Pooley Bridge which is an additional mile and a quarter or heading west to Howtown which is 3 miles.

Helton
The huge road sign
Helton
Greeting sheep
Helton
The view from Roe Head Lane over Ullswater

Return To The Start

The initial climb back up to Askham fell is slightly steeper (although not really in Cumbrian terms) before flattening out again.

Our kids completed the hike over the lake district fells
Climbing back up

Where Could You Stay In The Lakes?

We booked a cottage through Sykes Cottages (Click the link) but you can also use this interactive map to book local cottages in The Lake District.


Add This To Pinterest

If you fancy doing this walk with your kids, you can add it to your Pinterest board.

Helton to Roe Head Lane. A really great Lake District Walk for kids


What else can you do in the Lake District with kids?