Whinlatter Forest Park Altura Mountain Bike Trail

Location : Cockermouth / Keswick / Braithwaite / Lorton / CA12 5TW / Tel 017687 78711

Whinlatter Forest Park is home to the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. 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. There are however lower grade alternatives for many of the most technical sections.

mountain bike whinlatter — Whinlatter Forest visitor centre

Built by renowned trailbuilder Clixbys, 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 fantastic views of Derwent water, Bassenthwaite, Helvellyn and Skiddaw as the trail takes the rider to an altitude of 500m (1600ft) above Keswick.

image of a rider on the Whinlatter Altura downhill mountain biking track — The Altura Trail at Whinlatter Forest

A guide to the Altura Trail (3mb pdf) 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.

A cycle-hire shop, Cyclewise Whinlatter (01768 778711), at the start of the trail, offers Mountain bike hire (junior, hard tails & full suspension), a bicycle repair service and runs mountain-biking courses.

2019 Parking charges – Up to 20 mins Free / 1st Hour £2.20 / Additional time 45p per 20 mins / All Day £8.00. There is now a pay as you leave machine.

2019 prices for bike hire –
Junior Mountain Bike (20″ / 24″ wheel) – 3 hour hire £17 – Full day £22
Hardtail Mountain Bike Adult – 3 hour hire £21 – Full day £29
Premium Full Suspension Bike Adult – 3 hour hire £42 – Full day £58
Electric Hardtail Mountain Bike – 3 hour hire £40 – Full day £55
Electric Full Suspension Bike – 3 hour hire £50 – Full day £65

Full Day Hire bikes must be returned by 4.30 pm

Related Pages:

Grid Ref: NY 210245

Images of Mountain Biking on the Altura Trail are stills taken from a GoPro video courtesy of RS Film & Photography