Whinlatter Forest Bike Park

Whinlatter is England’s only true mountain forest, high enough above Bassenthwaite that its upper slopes carry a subarctic feel in winter, and Forestry England manages both the forest and its network of way-marked mountain bike trails from the visitor centre off the B5292, northwest of Keswick.

The main red-graded route, Altura, runs to around 19km across two loops, built for riders with proficient off-road skills and dropping and climbing repeatedly across the forest’s slopes above 450m. For less experienced riders, the blue-graded Quercus trail is a shorter, gentler alternative, with a 3.5km loop through Masmill Oak Woodland and a longer 7.5km option, flowing singletrack with berms and rolling sections built for confidence rather than commitment. A waymarked forest-road route of about 10km, Gorse Trail, suits those wanting distance without technical singletrack.

None of the trails themselves cost anything to ride, and there is no charge at all for anyone arriving on foot, by bike, or by public transport. Parking is charged by the hour up to a daily maximum, with the first twenty minutes free, a structure aimed at day visitors rather than a quick stop. The visitor centre, cafe and bike hire run shorter, more seasonal hours than the forest itself, which is open every day of the year.

This suits mountain bikers of most abilities looking for a purpose-built trail centre rather than forest fire roads, and families wanting the gentler blue trail. It does not suit anyone without their own bike and hoping to hire one outside the visitor centre’s own opening hours, which are shorter than the park’s.