Discovering the Thrills of Whinlatter Pass: A Breathtaking Road in Cumbria

Discovering the Thrills of Whinlatter Pass: A Breathtaking Road in Cumbria

England, europe

Length

9.81 km

Elevation

337 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the B5292, also known as the Whinlatter Pass Road, snaking your way through the northern Lake District of Cumbria, England. This isn't quite as wild as some of the other passes around here like Newlands or Honister, but it's still a proper climb up to 337m (1,105ft) high!

You'll find yourself deep inside the Whinlatter Forest Park, surrounded by the Thornthwaite Forest, on this 9.81km (6.1 miles) stretch of paved (but narrow and steep!) road. We're talking about a west-east route that connects High Lorton (south of Cockermouth) to Braithwaite (west of Keswick).

The road's usually open year-round, but watch out for ice in the winter! And seriously, pack layers – it can get pretty wet and windy up here.

The best part? Near the summit, you'll find the Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre with a gift shop and a restaurant. But the real reward is the view – stunning panoramas over Bassenthwaite Lake! Just a heads-up, though: be careful on the way up, especially with cyclists bombing down the hills and maybe misjudging those corners.

Cyclists, take note: this pass has been featured in the Tour of Britain, so you know it's a good climb! Some sections hit a 15% gradient. If you're starting in High Lorton, you're looking at a 6 km ascent with a 246-meter elevation gain (averaging 4.1%). From Braithwaite, it's a 4 km climb with a 228-meter gain (averaging 5.7%). Get ready for a workout!

Where is it?

Discovering the Thrills of Whinlatter Pass: A Breathtaking Road in Cumbria is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 54.4105, -2.7216

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Road Details

Country
England
Continent
europe
Length
9.81 km
Max Elevation
337 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
54.4105, -2.7216

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