North Lakes’ ultimate mountain bike trail

The first phase of an exciting new mountain bike trail will open at The Forestry Commission’s Whinlatter Forest Park near Keswick on the 16th of June during National Bike Week, together with a new bike shop and hire centre.

Nearly 10 kilometres of The Altura Trail at Whinlatter will be open for mountain bikers to ride. This includes challenging singletrack sections and some great views of Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite and the surrounding fells.

When it is finished the mountain bike trail will be the longest purpose built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. The 19 kilometre bike trail will include 15 kilometres of new purpose built single track trail.

Adrian Jones from the Forestry Commission says:

“Whinlatter Forest Park is England’s only true mountain forest, rising to 790 metres above sea level, so The Altura Trail will really put the mountain back into mountain biking.

“We’re delighted that the first phase is now complete. Together with all the different walking routes and the new Go Ape high wire forest adventure courses, Whinlatter Forest Park is one of the region’s best centres for outdoor activities.”

Ian Young from sponsors Altura says:

“As the UK’s leading cycle clothing brand we are keen to support mountain biking, so it’s very exciting that people will now be able to ride part of The Altura Trail. It is going to provide great facilities for riders of all abilities and will be one of the best mountain bike trails in the country.”

The new Cyclewise Whinlatter bike shop and hire centre will also officially open for business at 11.00 on the 16th of June. The new trail centre will provide a fleet of Cube mountain bikes for hire, Altura bike clothing and a chill out zone.

Cyclewise will also run a range of training courses from Whinlatter including Adventure racing skills training and junior skills sessions run during the summer holiday period and weekends.

Richard Martin from Cyclewise says:

“The Altura Trail is almost two trails in one, with the top section in the forest and then you come out into a big clearing. At times you feel as though you’re on a rollercoaster ride and I’ve really been blown away by the views you get. There isn’t anything like it in the Lakes.”

The full trail will be officially opened in October.

The North West Regional Development Agency is also helping to fund the construction of the mountain bike trail and redevelopment of the car park at the Visitor Centre.

More information about Whinlatter Forest Park can be found at forestry.gov.uk/whinlatterforestpark.

For information on Altura visit zyro.co.uk. For information on Cyclwise visit cyclewisetraining.co.uk.

Bike Week runs until 22nd June.