Whinlatter Forest Park
OS Grid ref:- NY 208 245
The Whinlatter Forest Park, in the Whinlatter Pass near Keswick is the haunt of roe deer and red squirrels and makes a beautiful location for a walk.
The largely coniferous forest was planted shortly after World War I and offers some superb scenery, there are numerous walking trails and cycle trails for all abilities as well as an adventure playground for children, the Siskin Cafe selling home-made food, picnic areas and ample parking facilities. Whinlatter is England's only true Mountain Forest. Rising to 790 metres above sea level the Forest Park offers spectacular views of the Lake District and on a clear day, into Scotland. There is a public footpath to impressive waterfall of Spout Force (OS grid ref. NY 182262.) which leads from the Spout Force car park.
From the Revelin Moss car park visitors of all abilities can try their hand at ethe sport of orienteering, maps are obtainable from the visitor centre, follow the yellow waymarkers from the car park to experience the fascinating challenge of the world's first permanent Trail "O" course. Sheltered by the deep fertile soils of Grisedale Gill, trees from around the world have found a home at the arboretum, where the yellow waymarkers will allow the visitor to 'travel the world' at their leisure.
Grisedale Pike, at 700 metres above sea level, is the highest point in the forest, for the ascent to the pike, follow the white waymarker posts from the Revelin car park.
The Visitor Centre
The well appointed Forestry Commision Visitor Centre has a tea rooms and a shop, there is a walk in gigantic badger sett, Rabbit Run and Foxtrot trails for children, as well as the adventure playground. It also offers seasonal wildlife displays. Guided walks through the forest and orienteering courses are also available.
Lake District Osprey Project
Wild Ospreys can be viewed raising their young chicks through the live video nest link at the Visitor Centre. Of interest to the bird watcher and tourist alike is the Dodd Wood open air osprey viewpoint.
The large car park at the edge of Dodd Wood looks out over the long stretch of attractive Bassenthwaite Lake, the old saw mill, now a tearoom is located near the car park. The Lake District Osprey Project provides an open air viewpoint and an interesting exhibition featuring live video pictures from April to September.
More on the Lake District Osprey Project
Osprey image courtesy of the Lake District Osprey ProjectBassenthwaite Lake from Whinlatter Forest Park
A walk at Whinlatter Forest Park
Length:- one and a half miles (2km)
Duration:- 1 hour
*Commencing at the Visitor Centre Car Park, turn left at the signpost marked 'Trails' by the Visitor Centre. Turn sharply right (following the 'Trails' sign)
*At a 'T' junction turn right, at a further junction, keep left to reach a 3 way junction then turn left.
*When reaching a fork in the path, bear right to ascend steeply. Where the track forks bear left, until you reach a bench, from this point in the walk there are superb views of Grizedale Pike and Hobcarton End.
*From the bench, take the right track, descending to a green waymark about 40 yards (36m) on, turn right onto the path into the forest. The path leads to a further viewing point, offering superb views of the Helvellyn range and Hospital Fell.
*Keep left, via a red and blue trail and then turn left. At a waymark around 100 yards (91m) further on, turn right, descending on the blue trail.
*When you meet the main forest track, turn right, crossing to the red trail. On reaching a signpost numbered 14, turn right, remain on the path through to the Visitor Centre.