Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

Walk & Event Reports

Wednesday 14th March 2018

Whinlatter Forest

 8 Miles Grade 2

Leader: Geoff Entwistle

Report by Geoff Entwistle

Twenty members enjoyed a visit to Whinlatter Forest, a good choice as we were able to spend most of the walk sheltered from the strong south easterly wind. We started from the "Ice Cream Van" lay by overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake. After a short length of road walking we entered the forest and gently ascended to the Visitor Centre for a coffee break. We continued upwards to the top of the forest, enjoying the views from breaks in the trees and passing some interesting wood sculptures on the way. A short ascent took us to the top of a wind swept Lord's Seat, the main summit of the walk, and lunch stop in a sheltered spot below the summit, with a superb view in all directions. Due to the wind the route along the open tops to Barf was abandoned in favour of going directly back into the forest. A gentle descent along forest tracks took us back to the Visitor Centre, from where we crossed to the south side of the road and followed undulating tracks through the Hospital Plantation back to the start. Unfortunately there was no ice cream van at the lay by so the party stopped for refreshments on the way home.

Geoff