[1] The Helvellyn range forms a ridge extending for about 10 km, at no point dropping below 600 m. The ridge runs in a north–south direction, with Patterdale on the eastern side and the Thirlmere valley to the west.
The village of Threlkeld lies directly to the north, below the northernmost point on the ridge, Clough Head.
Generally, the slopes above Thirlmere are steep and grassy, whilst the Patterdale side exhibits rockier features, due to cirque glaciation on the north east side of the ridge.
The majority of the peaks in the range lie directly on the north–south axis, although there are some outliers on the eastern side of the ridge.
Dollywaggon Pike is usually considered to mark the southernmost peak of the Helvellyn range, although the term is sometimes used more broadly to include Fairfield and the other peaks north of Ambleside.