Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre
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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 |
The Gruffalo Party Trail at Whinlatter
The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.
What to expect:
The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.
Follow the trail to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Search for balloons, pine cones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and rubbings as you go along.
Get the party started with a Gruffalo Party Trail pack
Pick up your pack for just £4 from the Visitor Centre during opening hours, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure.
Inside you’ll find:
- kraft bag to colour in
- party headband to wear
- party trail activity leaflet
- stickers
- pencil and crayon
- keepsake sew-on Gruffalo Party patch
Share your party fun using the #GruffaloTrail hashtag.
Lakeland Paws Canicross Series
The autumn 24/25 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 6th Oct: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course)
- Sun 3rd Nov: Dogs @ Dodd
- Sun 1st Dec: Grizedale Growl
- Sun 5th Jan: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How anti-clockwise)
- Sat 1st Feb: Grizedale Growl (East Side)
- Sun 2nd March: Dogs @ Dodd
- Sun 6th April: Whinlatter Tails (New longer Route)
- Sat 10th May: Dogs @ Dodd (part of our Double Header)
- Sun 11th May: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course and second part of the Double Header)
Winter solstice forest bathing
Celebrate the energy of the winter solstice with forest bathing in the beautiful Whinlatter forest. At the shortest day, we take our lead from Mother Nature; slowing down our bodies and minds to the rhythm of the forest.
Learning how the forest supports our physical and emotional health, we engage with the sights, sounds and smells through mindful walking and movement, breathing and sound meditations; opening our awareness and culminating in a tea ceremony with freshly brewed forest tea.
We will be walking approximately 1.5km along paths and over uneven ground. A moderate level of fitness is required. There are no toilets in this area of the forest so you will need to go before you arrive.
Women's winter solstice cacao ceremony
A women's cacao ceremony in the forest to honour Yule, the Winter Solstice.
Celebrating the release of the dark and return of the sun as from now on each new day grows longer.
We honour the beautiful plant medicine of Mama Cacao as we focus on birthing our dreams and visions as the sun returns, with the support of our sisters in circle.
Cacao ~ meditation & visualisation ~ fire ritual ~ manifesting ~ singing ~ drumming!
Cacao has been used in ritual and ceremony for thousands of years. Healing and transformational it is a deep heart opener helping us move from fear to love and connect with our inner wisdom. It is a really special experience and deeply enhances our meditation and insight.
The cacao I used is high quality raw and organic, lovingly prepared with Reiki and intention and is mixed with plant milk. Drinking cacao is optional and herbal teas will also be available. It is advised that you should not drink cacao if you are taking anti-depressants. Please let Jen from Lakeland Wellbeing know if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure or a heart condition as it is advised to take a lower measure.
This event is in the depths of the forest 300m up a steep path. We have a large shelter and it will still go ahead in the rain.
Dark Skies Walk - Festive Edition
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a guided walk around the forest and look for the stars that help Santa find his way!
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, there will be stops for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo help you have some fun finding the major constellations and will have star maps and guides on hand.
Please be aware the route will be on a range of surfaces and may be wet and muddy. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Please bring a torch per person if possible. A red filter is ideal for when we stop to star gaze otherwise we will be turning the torches off. Dogs and children welcome.
You may want to bring a flask of warm drink and maybe a snack, especially if bringing children. Children under 12 must be within reach of their responsible appropriate adult at all times, older children must have an over 18 on site for the event.
There are 3 points, after about 2 miles, at which we can offer you the option to return to the Visitor Centre if you or your little people are tired. This will be self guided
Dark Skies Walk - Festive Edition
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a guided walk around the forest and look for the stars that help Santa find his way!
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, there will be stops for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo help you have some fun finding the major constellations and will have star maps and guides on hand.
Please be aware the route will be on a range of surfaces and may be wet and muddy. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Please bring a torch per person if possible. A red filter is ideal for when we stop to star gaze otherwise we will be turning the torches off. Dogs and children welcome.
You may want to bring a flask of warm drink and maybe a snack, especially if bringing children. Children under 12 must be within reach of their responsible appropriate adult at all times, older children must have an over 18 on site for the event.
There are 3 points, after about 2 miles, at which we can offer you the option to return to the Visitor Centre if you or your little people are tired. This will be self guided
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.
The Gruffalo Party Trail at Whinlatter
The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.
What to expect:
The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.
Follow the trail to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Search for balloons, pine cones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and rubbings as you go along.
Get the party started with a Gruffalo Party Trail pack
Pick up your pack for just £4 from the Visitor Centre during opening hours, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure.
Inside you’ll find:
- kraft bag to colour in
- party headband to wear
- party trail activity leaflet
- stickers
- pencil and crayon
- keepsake sew-on Gruffalo Party patch
Share your party fun using the #GruffaloTrail hashtag.
Lakeland Paws Canicross Series
The autumn 24/25 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 6th Oct: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course)
- Sun 3rd Nov: Dogs @ Dodd
- Sun 1st Dec: Grizedale Growl
- Sun 5th Jan: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How anti-clockwise)
- Sat 1st Feb: Grizedale Growl (East Side)
- Sun 2nd March: Dogs @ Dodd
- Sun 6th April: Whinlatter Tails (New longer Route)
- Sat 10th May: Dogs @ Dodd (part of our Double Header)
- Sun 11th May: Whinlatter Tails (Seat How Course and second part of the Double Header)
Winter solstice forest bathing
Celebrate the energy of the winter solstice with forest bathing in the beautiful Whinlatter forest. At the shortest day, we take our lead from Mother Nature; slowing down our bodies and minds to the rhythm of the forest.
Learning how the forest supports our physical and emotional health, we engage with the sights, sounds and smells through mindful walking and movement, breathing and sound meditations; opening our awareness and culminating in a tea ceremony with freshly brewed forest tea.
We will be walking approximately 1.5km along paths and over uneven ground. A moderate level of fitness is required. There are no toilets in this area of the forest so you will need to go before you arrive.
Women's winter solstice cacao ceremony
A women's cacao ceremony in the forest to honour Yule, the Winter Solstice.
Celebrating the release of the dark and return of the sun as from now on each new day grows longer.
We honour the beautiful plant medicine of Mama Cacao as we focus on birthing our dreams and visions as the sun returns, with the support of our sisters in circle.
Cacao ~ meditation & visualisation ~ fire ritual ~ manifesting ~ singing ~ drumming!
Cacao has been used in ritual and ceremony for thousands of years. Healing and transformational it is a deep heart opener helping us move from fear to love and connect with our inner wisdom. It is a really special experience and deeply enhances our meditation and insight.
The cacao I used is high quality raw and organic, lovingly prepared with Reiki and intention and is mixed with plant milk. Drinking cacao is optional and herbal teas will also be available. It is advised that you should not drink cacao if you are taking anti-depressants. Please let Jen from Lakeland Wellbeing know if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure or a heart condition as it is advised to take a lower measure.
This event is in the depths of the forest 300m up a steep path. We have a large shelter and it will still go ahead in the rain.
Dark Skies Walk - Festive Edition
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a guided walk around the forest and look for the stars that help Santa find his way!
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, there will be stops for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo help you have some fun finding the major constellations and will have star maps and guides on hand.
Please be aware the route will be on a range of surfaces and may be wet and muddy. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Please bring a torch per person if possible. A red filter is ideal for when we stop to star gaze otherwise we will be turning the torches off. Dogs and children welcome.
You may want to bring a flask of warm drink and maybe a snack, especially if bringing children. Children under 12 must be within reach of their responsible appropriate adult at all times, older children must have an over 18 on site for the event.
There are 3 points, after about 2 miles, at which we can offer you the option to return to the Visitor Centre if you or your little people are tired. This will be self guided
Dark Skies Walk - Festive Edition
Ever wondered how Santa navigates the skies on Christmas Eve? Join Jo from JAG Outdoors for a guided walk around the forest and look for the stars that help Santa find his way!
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, there will be stops for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo help you have some fun finding the major constellations and will have star maps and guides on hand.
Please be aware the route will be on a range of surfaces and may be wet and muddy. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Please bring a torch per person if possible. A red filter is ideal for when we stop to star gaze otherwise we will be turning the torches off. Dogs and children welcome.
You may want to bring a flask of warm drink and maybe a snack, especially if bringing children. Children under 12 must be within reach of their responsible appropriate adult at all times, older children must have an over 18 on site for the event.
There are 3 points, after about 2 miles, at which we can offer you the option to return to the Visitor Centre if you or your little people are tired. This will be self guided
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre. Please fill in as much detail as you can.