Here are some great ideas and contacts for outdoor activities in this area of the
Lake District National Park
The official web site of the Lake District National Park authority with information about the Lake District including walks, local events and visitor information.
Whinlatter Forest Park and Visitor Centre
Rising to 790 metres above sea level, Whinlatter Forest Park offers spectacular views of the Lake District and into Scotland, numerous walking routes, high level and low level cycling routes, nature trails, orienteering trails, picnic sites, a tearoom and a shop.
Tel: (017687) 78469
Fax: (017687) 78049
Email: whinlatter@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5gzlny
WALKING
Lake District Walks
John Dawson's "Lake District Walks" helps you to plan a day out on the Lakeland fells. For newcomers to the area this can be daunting. A series of walks is presented here in outline, giving distances covered and heights ascended. More detailed information on the walks is available by following the links.
Web: www.lakedistrictwalks.com/
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Whinlatter Altura Trail
The longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District
Forestry Commission,
Whinlatter Forest Park,
Near Keswick
Web: www.forestry.gov.uk/alturatrail
Keswick Mountain Bike Hire
Southey Hill
Keswick
Tel: 017687 75202
Web: www.keswickmountainbikes.co.uk/
Keswick Tourism Association
Downloadable mountain bike routes
Web: www.keswick.org/cycling.asp
Sustrans
Information & maps for cycling routes around the Lake District
Web: www.sustrans.org.uk/
Coast to Coast cycle route
The definitive resource centre for the sea to sea cycle route
Web: www.c2c-guide.co.uk/
ADVENTURE SPORTS
Derwentwater Marina
In Portinscale, near Keswick, you can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking also mountain biking and guided hill walking/climbing and ghyll scrambling.
Tel: 017687 72912
Web: www.derwentwatermarina.co.uk/
Go Ape, High Wire Adventure,
Go Ape can be described as a 'high-wire forest adventure'.
That means giant obstacle courses built up in the trees using ladders, walkways, bridges and tunnels made of wood, rope and super-strong wire, and the country's best zip lines.
People are kitted out with harnesses, pulleys and karabiners, have a 30 minute safety briefing and training and then let loose into the forest canopy, free to swing through the trees. Instructors are always on hand, regularly patrolling the forests.
The Go Ape experience gets the adrenalin pumping, gets people out of their comfort zones and above all, it's just great fun.
Email: info@goape.co.uk
Web: www.goape.co.uk
BIRD WATCHING
Lake District Osprey Project
The Lake District Osprey Project is managed by a partnership of the Forestry Commission, Lake District National Park Authority and the RSPB. You can view these spectacular birds of prey as they nest near Bassenthwaite lake (April to August):
The viewpoint is situated about 3 miles north of Keswick off the A591 - follow signposts to the Mirehouse from the A66. Car parking is available at the Sawmill Tearoom opposite the entrance to Mirehouse. From the Tearoom the viewpoint is a fifteen to twenty minute walk uphill along a gravel path.