Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre
|
Enjoy England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction |
England’s only true mountain forest. Whinlatter Forest is managed by Forestry England and is a great day out for all ages. Head to the Visitor Centre and main car park to start your visit.
The forest has walking trails of varying lengths to suit all abilities, taking you to up to viewpoints across Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water, Skiddaw and Grisedale Pike.
If you’re looking for adventure, try the mountain bike trails, which make full use of the stunning setting. The red grade Altura Trail has been built for experienced riders with good off road skills and a higher level of fitness and stamina.The blue grade Quercus Trail is single track with gentle berms, rolling jumps, wide gradual climbs with technical features for the adventurous riders.The Gorse Cycle Trail is a waymarked 10km route, sticking mostly to well-surfaced forest roads and takes you to the best parts of the forest and explores the quieter corners of Whinlatter at Noble Knott. Why not try an orienteering challenge which explores the forest by using a combination of forest roads and parts of the Quercus mountain bike trail. Navigate your way between control points to score as many points as possible in a fixed time.
Two waymarked running trails provide stunning scenery, a higher calorie burn, and increased mental well-being. The 5km and 10km marked trails at Whinlatter make running through the forest more accessible, so you can feel confident to just hit the trails and enjoy all the benefits of being active outdoors.
The Whinlatter WildPlay trail is for children of all ages. Its 9 different play areas take you on a journey through the trees and include a climbing wall, water features, giant swings and a secret path. There are also two children's discovery trails, to help explore the forest - maps available from the Visitor Centre.
Swing through the trees on the Go-Ape tree top course with zip lines, nets, rope ladders and swings to negotiate. Or if heights aren't your thing Go Ape Forest Segways are the best fun you can have off-road, on two eco-friendly wheels, without having to pedal.
A Tramper, is available to hire from the Visitor Centre. This all-terrain mobility scooter enables visitors to enjoy a beautiful forest trail with spectacular views. The Tramper is managed in partnership with Lake District Mobility. Please call the Visitor Centre to find out more, 017687 78469.
There are also family events held in the forest over the year - check website for up to date information.
The Visitor Centre and Shop sell forest maps and a range of locally sourced products. Siskins Café offers home cooked food while Cyclewise, the onsite bike shop, hires out bikes as well as selling bikes and kit, and offering a range of bike skills and training courses.
- 9 walking trails
- Running Trails
- 3 cycling trails plus mountain bike orienteering
- Play areas
- Go Ape Tree Top Trek
- Go Ape Forest Segway
- Café
- Bike hire
-
Picnic areas
Location
Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre and main car park is just west of Keswick and is signed from the A66. Take the B5292 Whinlatter Pass and the Visitor Centre is 3 miles from the turn.
Other Forestry England car parks are available along the Whinlatter Pass, giving access to some of the walking routes and bike trails.
|
Enjoy England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction |
Lakeland Paws canicross series
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched!
Held in England’s only mountain forest, Dodd Wood & Grizedale Forest. The perfect location for you to enjoy stunning scenery and a fully marked course on forest roads and trails.
This series offers a mix of courses across three venues with 5 and 3 mile options available. The popular double header weekend in May makes a return!
Event Dates
Sun 19th Oct: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course)
Sun 2nd Nov: Dogs @ Dodd Wood
Sun 7th Dec: Grizedale Growl (South Side)
Sun 4th Jan: Whinlatter Tails (South Side)
Sun 8th Feb: Grizedale Growl (East Side)
Sat 28th Feb: Whinlatter Tails (South Side) Night Run @ 6pm
Sun 29th March: Tour De Whinlatter
Sat 9th May: Dogs @ Dodd Wood (part of our Double Header)
Sun 10th May: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course and second part of our Double Header)
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre. Please fill in as much detail as you can.
England’s only true mountain forest. Whinlatter Forest is managed by Forestry England and is a great day out for all ages. Head to the Visitor Centre and main car park to start your visit.
The forest has walking trails of varying lengths to suit all abilities, taking you to up to viewpoints across Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water, Skiddaw and Grisedale Pike.
If you’re looking for adventure, try the mountain bike trails, which make full use of the stunning setting. The red grade Altura Trail has been built for experienced riders with good off road skills and a higher level of fitness and stamina.The blue grade Quercus Trail is single track with gentle berms, rolling jumps, wide gradual climbs with technical features for the adventurous riders.The Gorse Cycle Trail is a waymarked 10km route, sticking mostly to well-surfaced forest roads and takes you to the best parts of the forest and explores the quieter corners of Whinlatter at Noble Knott. Why not try an orienteering challenge which explores the forest by using a combination of forest roads and parts of the Quercus mountain bike trail. Navigate your way between control points to score as many points as possible in a fixed time.
Two waymarked running trails provide stunning scenery, a higher calorie burn, and increased mental well-being. The 5km and 10km marked trails at Whinlatter make running through the forest more accessible, so you can feel confident to just hit the trails and enjoy all the benefits of being active outdoors.
The Whinlatter WildPlay trail is for children of all ages. Its 9 different play areas take you on a journey through the trees and include a climbing wall, water features, giant swings and a secret path. There are also two children's discovery trails, to help explore the forest - maps available from the Visitor Centre.
Swing through the trees on the Go-Ape tree top course with zip lines, nets, rope ladders and swings to negotiate. Or if heights aren't your thing Go Ape Forest Segways are the best fun you can have off-road, on two eco-friendly wheels, without having to pedal.
A Tramper, is available to hire from the Visitor Centre. This all-terrain mobility scooter enables visitors to enjoy a beautiful forest trail with spectacular views. The Tramper is managed in partnership with Lake District Mobility. Please call the Visitor Centre to find out more, 017687 78469.
There are also family events held in the forest over the year - check website for up to date information.
The Visitor Centre and Shop sell forest maps and a range of locally sourced products. Siskins Café offers home cooked food while Cyclewise, the onsite bike shop, hires out bikes as well as selling bikes and kit, and offering a range of bike skills and training courses.
- 9 walking trails
- Running Trails
- 3 cycling trails plus mountain bike orienteering
- Play areas
- Go Ape Tree Top Trek
- Go Ape Forest Segway
- Café
- Bike hire
-
Picnic areas
Location
Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre and main car park is just west of Keswick and is signed from the A66. Take the B5292 Whinlatter Pass and the Visitor Centre is 3 miles from the turn.
Other Forestry England car parks are available along the Whinlatter Pass, giving access to some of the walking routes and bike trails.
Lakeland Paws canicross series
The 25/26 series of canicross races has now launched!
Held in England’s only mountain forest, Dodd Wood & Grizedale Forest. The perfect location for you to enjoy stunning scenery and a fully marked course on forest roads and trails.
This series offers a mix of courses across three venues with 5 and 3 mile options available. The popular double header weekend in May makes a return!
Event Dates
Sun 19th Oct: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course)
Sun 2nd Nov: Dogs @ Dodd Wood
Sun 7th Dec: Grizedale Growl (South Side)
Sun 4th Jan: Whinlatter Tails (South Side)
Sun 8th Feb: Grizedale Growl (East Side)
Sat 28th Feb: Whinlatter Tails (South Side) Night Run @ 6pm
Sun 29th March: Tour De Whinlatter
Sat 9th May: Dogs @ Dodd Wood (part of our Double Header)
Sun 10th May: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course and second part of our Double Header)
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre. Please fill in as much detail as you can.