Mountain Biking
Latest - All Trails Are Open.
Closure Planned - The highest part of the Altura Trail south loop will be closed from 12pm on the 10th July for a couple of hours. We are airlifting stone to pitch the trail with.
Competition - Win a weekend for two at the Altura Trail in Zyro's Competition
Whinlatter Forest Park is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Lake District. We have two trails , the Altura Trail, a Red grade 19km Trail and the Quercus Trail, a blue grade 7.5km trail. The trails all start from Whinlatter Visitor Centre where there is also a Bike Shop run by Cyclewise , cafe , bike wash and bike hire and large pay and display car park.
The Altura Trail
The Altura Trail puts the mountain back into biking and has been built for experienced riders with good off road skills and a higher level of fitness and stamina. The trail is a 19 kilometre red grade mountain bike route which includes 15 kilometres of new single track. There are challenging single track sections and popular features like berms, jumps, rock features, skinnies, cork screws and table tops. There are also fantatsic views of Derwent water, Bassenthwaite, Helvelyn and Skiddaw as the trail takes the rider to an altitude of 500m (1600ft) above Keswick.
Quercus Trail
This blue grade route is 7.5km long with a shorter 3.5 km option. It is a gem waiting to be discovered, expect flowing singletrack with gentle berms, rolling jumps, wide gradual climbs with technical features for the adventurous riders. It is suitable for intermediate mountain bikers with basic off road skills and reasonable fitness.
Cyclewise Shop
At the trail head a new purpose built cycle shop run by Cyclewise of Penrith offers cycle parts, clothing, maintenance and new bike sales. Trail riders can hire a cycle head camera from the shop and video their experience, see examples of the trail from Youtube and Vimeo.
In addition Cyclewise offer mountain bike training leadership and full workshop facilities. Cyclewise Whinlatter can be contacted on 017687 78711.
Trail Guide
A guide to the Altura and Quercus Trails is available at the Visitor Centre or Cyclewise Shop at the trail head. This gives route and grading details and should be read by all riders before attempting the trail for the first time.
Thanks to All Who helped
The Forestry Commission is very grateful to Altura, who make a wide range of clothing for cyclists of all abilities. for sponsoring the trail and to the North West Regional Development Agency which has helped fund the construction of the mountain bike trail and redevelopment of the car park at the Visitor Centre.
The Altura trail was built by Hugh Clixby who has previously constructed trails for the Forestry Commission at Dalby in North Yorkshire and Cannock Forest in the West Midlands. Combined with the new Go Ape high ropes course the project has cost £500,000. The new facilities have lead to the creation of up to 10 new jobs as well safeguarding 12 existing jobs.
