Where is Whinlatter?

Where is Whinlatter?

England, europe

Length

9.81 km

Elevation

337 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Craving a Lake District adventure? Buckle up for the Whinlatter Pass! This mountain road climbs to 337m (1,105ft) within the lush Whinlatter Forest Park, the northernmost pass in the Lake District.

The B5292, also known as Whinlatter Pass Road, is a 9.81km (6.1 miles) paved route connecting High Lorton (near Cockermouth) with Braithwaite (near Keswick). Usually open year-round, winter can bring icy conditions, so be prepared! Trust me, you'll want layers – it's often wet or windy up there.

Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! At the summit, the Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre awaits with a gift shop and restaurant. Plus, the views overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake are simply stunning. Cyclists love this road, especially the downhill, so keep an eye out on the uphill sections.

Speaking of cyclists, the Tour of Britain has tackled this pass! It gets pretty steep, with some sections hitting a 15% gradient. Starting from High Lorton, the climb is 6 km with a 246-meter elevation gain (average 4.1%). From Braithwaite, it's a 4 km ascent, gaining 228 meters (average 5.7%). Get ready for a fun, challenging drive with incredible scenery!

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Road Details

Country
England
Continent
europe
Length
9.81 km
Max Elevation
337 m
Difficulty
hard

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