Overview

A large forest in the heart of the North Lakes. The roads up to the forest are quite steep but there are flat parts of road that give breathtaking views over towards Penrith and Carlisle. The parking is at the bottom of a small slope that leads up to a small shop/visitor centre with a cafe (indoor and outdoor seating). There is a tramper trail that I found accessible for my powered wheelchair. There were however some parts that I did not like. For example, after the visitor centre there is a steep slope leading down to the start of the trail and at the start of the trail there is a small curb that is manageable for powered wheelchairs with curb climbing capabilities. Some of the path is very steep but again my powered wheelchair was able to manage them (it was me who was less confident with the gradients). When I went, which was in July, it had rained the day before so there was quite a lot of mud and at some points there is thick mud in the middle of the path but it is wide enough to go to the side to avoid this. The trail is 2.5miles (according to the Whinlatter website) and loops back around to the visitor centre for a well earned lunch.

Transport & Parking

There is a separate parking area for Blue Badge Holders which is to the left of the main carpark entrance (sign posted).

Access

There is a very steep slope leading up to the cafe on one side but there is also an alternative entrance that has no slope but is level. The trail was quiet bumpy and its entirely the wheelchair users preference. There are benches at the start where you can look out over the glacial valley below. There are however no benches after that until you get back to the visitor centre.

Toilets

The toilet was easy to find with signposts. There was enough space for my wheelchair but it was quite limited and there was not that much space for my carer although we managed. There were grab rails and it was clean and tidy. The light was a bit dim and there was no Changing Places toilet but there was a baby changing table.

Staff

The staff in the shop/visitor centre were very helpful and wanted to get me out on the trail. They discussed what was the best option with each other and looked at my wheelchair and told me about the tramper trail. They said that it was completely up to me and if the chair could handle it.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

There was a one way system in place in the shop/visitor centre and cafe and there plastic screens up at the tills. The entrance to the cafe was hard to distinguish because there were barriers up to stop people from going the wrong way but they were in a strange place.