Whinlatter Forest

About

** Please note – some trails are temporarily closed or diverted at Whinlatter to allow scheduled forestry works to take place safely. Onsite visitor centre, shop, Café Ambio, Cyclewise Whinlatter and Go Ape open as normal. Full details and diversion maps available at forestryengland.uk/whinlatter-updates **

Prepare to be wowed by England's only true mountain forest. Rising 1000ft above sea level and set in the middle of the stunning Lake District National Park, Whinlatter offers a fantastic day out for all!

Start your adventure at the visitor centre where our friendly staff will be happy to help with information and ideas to help plan your day. Enjoy some retail therapy in the forest shop or sample the home-made food at Café Ambio, gazing out over the balcony at the stunning woodland views and birdlife.

For younger visitors, the WildPlay trail is a fantastic 600m long trail boasting nine different play zones. Scale the giant timber climbing frame, fly through the air on the log swing or try your hand at Archimedes screw to move water uphill. Lovers of the magical worlds of Julia Donaldson can enjoy spotting our Gruffalo sculptures throughout the forest and our themed activity trails.

The forest is home to a varied events programme including bushcraft, foraging, forest bathing, alpaca walks and more - check our website to help you plan your visit.

Whinlatter is the place to be for walking, with miles of waymarked trails starting near the centre. There are suitable walks for people of all abilities, taking in spectacular views across the fells and forests.  For those who are less mobile we also have a Tramper available to hire as well as a specially designed route to open the forest to as many as possible.

Are you a keen trail runner or fancy giving this growing sport a go? With miles of forest trails to enjoy, we’ve a route for everyone. Dip your toe in the water with our 2.5km route or stretch your legs along the half marathon trail. Don’t miss out on our weekly parkrun every Saturday morning – one of the hilliest in the UK - and if you've never tried orienteering, Whinlatter's permanent courses are the perfect place to start.

The forest also offers excellent mountain biking. Experienced riders can head out on the Red North and South loops, and the blue-graded Quercas route offers an introduction to singletrack riding as you explore between the trees. Bring your own bike or hire one from our onsite partners at Cyclewise Whinlatter, why not try out an e-bike and explore even further?​​​​​