Whinlatter Loop
Photo: © Lee McCoy
Start Spout Force, Whinlatter (free)
Getting here Parking: Spout Force, Whinlatter (free), 0.0 km from the start (straight line). Bus: the 77 stops at Lorton Winder Hall (near); from there it is 2.5 km and 150 m of ascent to this start. And the same back: about 18.5 km in all, with the walk. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day. Getting there ↓ · Route map ↓
Hardest part Severe steepness: Steepest sustained climb about 48% around the 0.4 km mark.
Before you choose
- Forestry England posts felling areas and path diversions at Whinlatter on its Whinlatter updates page (last read 7 Oct 2026). Check it before you go, and follow the signs on the day.
Forestry England says (updated 1 Oct 2026) that the Lord's Seat and Barf trails are diverted: follow the diversion signs. This route's GPX has not been checked against the diversion. Forestry England: Whinlatter updates (read 7 Oct 2026)
Download GPX →Walked by Lee, May 2025Compare walksConditions on this route
We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 5 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.
Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →
Daylight & turnaround
Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.
See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.
Route map
1 Graystones2 Graystones (Graystones North Top)3 Broom Fell4 Lord's Seat5 Barf6 Whinlatter Top7 Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter)
Easy 87%Moderate 8%Hard 1%Severe 4%
Heights on this chart and its high point are read from the track itself (a terrain model sampled along the line, or a GPS recording), so a top can differ from its listed height, usually reading lower.
Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap, with SRTM elevation data (switch layers top-right).
The elevation profile is under the map; the stage notes follow.
The walk, stage by stage
- 1
Start → Graystones (0.9 km, 291 m)
From the small Spout Force car park beside Scawgill Bridge, cross the B5292 to the gate and climb straight away, north up the grassy slopes and gorse with the wall close on your right; the steepest part, about 56%, is around 0.3 km. At about 0.8 km the ground levels near a broken wall, and the path to the 455 m top bears right for the last 0.1 km.
WaypointsScawgill Bridge and the Spout Force car park, the gate across the B5292, the broken wall, Graystones (455 m, the Birkett top).
Decision pointThe wall on your right is a handrail up the steep slope, from the gate to about 0.75 km.
Easy to get wrongA brutal 32% average gradient right from the start. Once the steepness finally eases near a broken wall, the true summit can be confusing. I've made this mistake before: the nearest high grassy ground to the right of the ascent is actually the Birkett top. The official Wainwright top sits to the left, about 260 m away and a little west of straight ahead, across a small col on a shaly outcrop.
If you need to get offTurn back and carefully descend the steep grass slope directly to the parking area.
- 2
Graystones → Graystones (Graystones North Top) (0.3 km, 2 m)
A short, nearly level walk: go back about 100 m to the path, then follow it north-north-west, the wall close on your right, about 0.25 km to the North Top.
WaypointsGraystones (455 m, the Birkett top), Graystones North Top (450 m, Wainwright's summit, with a small cairn).
Decision pointKeep the ruined wall close on your right.
Easy to get wrongStraightforward, easy navigation over undulating grass to bag Wainwright's summit, the North Top.
If you need to get offRetrace steps south to the main ascent path and drop back down to Scawgill Bridge.
- 3
Graystones (Graystones North Top) → Broom Fell (2.2 km, 129 m)
From the North Top, go through the gap in the wall and descend north-east on the grassy path, a fence on your left, to a stile at about 0.4 km; beyond it the fence is on your right down to Widow Hause (about 0.6 km). Then take the obvious path east-north-east, through a gate at about 1 km, climbing steadily up the open slope to Broom Fell's large, well-built cairn beside a fence (about 2 km). Cross the step stile there; the unmarked highest point (510 m) is about 0.2 km further on.
WaypointsThe stile, Widow Hause and the plantation boundary fence, the gate, Broom Fell's tall cairn (Wainwright's summit) and step stile, Broom Fell's highest point (510 m).
Decision pointAfter the stile, handrail the plantation fence on your right down to the hause, then follow the distinct path upward. The tall cairn on Broom Fell is a good visual target.
Easy to get wrongA moderate 6% climb. The depression at Widow Hause can hold water, but the path up Broom Fell is clear and less severe than the initial climb of the day. The plantation tracks below Widow Hause (this stage's way off) change with felling and may differ from older maps.
If you need to get offAt Widow Hause, follow the forest boundary down to pick up the forestry tracks leading back to Darling How.
© Lee McCoy · 2 photographs - 4
Broom Fell → Lord's Seat (1.2 km, 71 m)
From the highest point, follow the obvious, slightly boggy path south-east, down to a wire fence at the dip (about 0.55 km): cross it by the step stile, then climb about 70 m to the rounded, bare top of Lord's Seat.
WaypointsThe step stile at the dip (about 0.55 km), Lord's Seat summit (552 m).
Decision pointA very clear, well-trodden path connecting the two fells.
Easy to get wrongA gentle, undulating ridge walk. The summit of Lord's Seat lacks a traditional cairn; look for the rusted remains of an old fence post marking the high point. The forest tracks south of Lord's Seat (this stage's way off) change with felling and can differ from older maps; junctions are easy to muddle.
If you need to get offRetrace steps to Broom Fell or push forward to pick up the wide forestry tracks south of Lord's Seat.
© Lee McCoy - 5
Lord's Seat → Barf (1.2 km, 31 m)
Drop eastwards from Lord's Seat, crossing the marshy depression before a short rise to the rugged, craggy edge of Barf overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake.
WaypointsLord's Seat, marshy col, Barf summit.
Decision pointBarf is visually distinct with its craggy eastern face. Follow the main trod across the wet ground. Paths leave on the right at about 0.3 km and 0.45 km: keep east on the main path. The second is the one the route takes on the way back from Barf.
Easy to get wrongThe transit across the depression between these fells can be extremely boggy, especially after heavy rain.
If you need to get offGo back along the path you came on: after about 0.75 km the route itself forks left, down to the forest tracks (stage 6), with less climbing than going back over Lord's Seat. Do not attempt to descend the steep, hazardous scree of Barf's eastern face directly to the lakeside.
© Lee McCoy · 2 photographs - 6
Barf → Whinlatter Top (3.3 km, 167 m)
Retrace your steps west from Barf for about 0.75 km and fork left onto the path you passed on the way down, heading south-west towards the forest boundary and the Comb Plantation (Ullister Hill woods). It rises a little, then drops to a gravel forest track at about 1.3 km. Follow the track south-south-west over Aiken Beck (about 1.75 km), ignoring tracks off to the right and left; at about 2.1 km leave it for a path heading south-west, through a gate, before breaking out onto Tarbarrel Moss and ascending the eastern slopes of Whinlatter.
WaypointsThe fork, Comb Plantation, the gravel forest track and Aiken Beck, the gate, Tarbarrel Moss, Whinlatter Top (525 m, the higher top).
Decision pointStrict attention to forest road junctions is required until you finally emerge onto the open expanse of Tarbarrel Moss, where Whinlatter becomes visible.
Easy to get wrongThis route goes straight through dense forest where there isn't much sunlight, leaving the ground persistently boggy. Under heavy tree cover a GPS position can be less reliable, so keep track of the junctions.
If you need to get offThe main gravel forest roads lead down either to the Whinlatter Visitor Centre or towards Darling How; they end in different places, so check which you are on against the map, and follow any diversion signs.
© Lee McCoy - 7
Whinlatter Top → Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter) (0.7 km, 11 m)
Head west from the eastern top, following the ridge path across the grassy plateau for about 0.7 km to the western top (Brown How, Wainwright's summit of Whinlatter), which is marked by a stone wind shelter.
WaypointsWhinlatter Top (East, 525 m), Brown How (West Top, 517 m, Wainwright's summit) and its wind shelter.
Decision pointThe wind shelter on Brown How serves as a clear visual marker across the plateau. About 0.15 km from Whinlatter Top a path leaves on the right: keep west on the ridge path.
Easy to get wrongAn easy, flat transition between the twin summits of Whinlatter.
If you need to get offPush forward to begin the descent; do not drop north directly into the steep ravine of Aiken Beck.
Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter) → Finish (3.8 km, 12 m)
Descend the steep, grassy flanks of Brown How, north-north-west on the path, down to the boundary wall (about 0.85 km and 115 m lower). After crossing the wall, turn left immediately and keep walking until you intersect the wide, established path leading back down to the start. The route's line follows forest tracks from the wall: west beside it for about 0.3 km; where that track meets another, turn right and follow it downhill, north-east at first, for about 0.65 km to a sharp left turn onto the wide gravel track (about 1.75 km). Follow the gravel track west for about 1.3 km; where it bends away left, keep ahead on the footpath, through a gate and over two stiles, and cross Blaze Beck by a footbridge to the gate on the B5292 at the start.
WaypointsBrown How descent, the boundary wall (a ruined wall), the sharp left onto the wide gravel track, the footpath where the track bends away, the Blaze Beck footbridge.
Decision pointThe boundary wall at the bottom of the steep descent is your definitive cue to turn left.
Easy to get wrongThe initial descent off Brown How is steep and hard on the knees. Most importantly, do not make the mistake I made: as you descend and cross the wall, it is incredibly tempting to continue straight through the wooded area to reach a path that looks close on the map. This leads directly into very difficult terrain and challenging ground conditions. You must turn left immediately after crossing the wall to find the right track.
If you need to get offOnce on the wide path, you are on the primary exit route back to the parking area with no further navigational traps.
GPX track for your GPS or phone. Walked by Lee, May 2025
Summits bagged (7)
- 1Graystones455 m
- 2Graystones (Graystones North Top)450 m
- 3Broom Fell510 m
- 4Lord's Seat552 m
- 5Barf469 m
- 6Whinlatter Top525 m
- 7Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter)517 m
In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.
Conditions and timing
Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.
When the sun reaches the tops
Not sunrise — the moment the sun clears the skyline from that summit, which on a fell with high ground to its east can be a good deal later.
- Graystones (Graystones North Top) — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, about a quarter of an hour later. In late September, about 07:15. It waits longest in late December — about a quarter of an hour after sunrise.
- Broom Fell — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:15.
- Lord's Seat — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
- Barf — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:30, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:15. It waits longest in midsummer — about a quarter of an hour after sunrise. In late December, not until about 08:45.
- Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter) — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
How to read these times
The two equinoxes are shown because they fall in the walking season, and late December too wherever a top keeps you waiting then; the clock gap between the equinoxes is British Summer Time, not the hill. Rounded to the nearest quarter hour and meant as a general idea, not a schedule.
Modelled from a 30 m elevation model against each summit’s own skyline — the same figures the fell pages carry, never observed. Cloud is not in it.
Getting there and back
Parking
2 more places to park near the start
Positions are approximate.
Vehicles are left at their owner’s risk: we list places people park and cannot vouch for any of them. Take valuables with you and leave nothing on show.
If the parking is full
There is no real plan B here. Every place we know beside this route serves the same walks and sits close together, so expect them to fill on the same mornings. Worth starting early, or having a different walk in mind before you set off.
- Spout Force, Whinlatter (free) — at the start
- Roadside parking for Graystones (free) — joins the loop at about km 12.8 of 13.6: a 30 m walk to the line, and you walk the round from there
- Spout Force Waterfall (free) — joins the loop at about km 13 of 13.6: a 100 m walk to the line, and you walk the round from there
We never say whether anywhere has spaces today. Walks to the line are measured along mapped paths (OpenStreetMap), not in a straight line. How we choose these places.
No signal when you get there? RoutePark keeps this list on your phone: choose this walk’s GPX at home, keep it, and it opens offline.
Buses
The 77 stops at Lorton Winder Hall (near). From there it is 2.5 km and 150 m of ascent to this start — a walk in before the walk. And the same back: about 18.5 km in all, with the walk. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day. It returns on 22 March 2027. Confirmed with the operator: its last day on 29 August 2026, its return on 16 October 2026. As timetabled from 27 October to 1 November. Towards Keswick (77): Tuesday to Sunday 17:56. Checked against the operator’s timetable, 7 September 2026. Times here are a guide, not a promise — leave yourself more than the minute.
The 77 passes this route at 8.5 km (Whinlatter, in Visitors Centre, 830 m off the line).
Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.
Toilets and refreshments
The essentials
- Arrival The small free car park for Spout Force, beside the start (as mapped). 7 m in a straight line, not a walking distance. (our parking map, from OpenStreetMap, checked 2 August 2026)
- Toilets No toilets are mapped within 250 m of the start. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
- Refreshments No café or pub is mapped within 250 m of the start: bring what you need. (OpenStreetMap, as mapped on 13 September 2026, checked 13 September 2026)
- Limitation Forestry England posts felling areas and path diversions at Whinlatter on its updates page: check it before you go, and follow the signs on the day. (our route notes (this route's own warnings), from Forestry England's Whinlatter updates page, checked 24 September 2026)
No mapped drinking water or shelter on this route — that doesn’t mean there is none, and never drink untreated from a beck. (Facilities data © OpenStreetMap contributors.)
Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat
Planning detail
How each grade on this page is set, and the timings stage by stage.
Difficulty profile
Severe overall — hardest: Steepness
Five independent axes, not one score. Three of the five were set on the ground; the rest are computed from the recorded track and the map, which measures the line rather than surveying the ground.
How we grade: each axis is Easy, Moderate, Hard or Severe, and a route between two bands takes the higher one. Length: under 8 km, 8–14 km, 14–20 km, over 20 km. Steepness, the steepest 500 m of the track: under 15%, 15–25%, 25–35%, over 35%. Terrain, navigation and exposure are judged rather than measured, and each note says why. How we grade.
Pacing
| Summit | Cumulative | Ascent | Time (fast–steady) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Graystones | 0.9 km | 291 m | 0:40–0:53 |
| 2Graystones (Graystones North Top) | 1.2 km | 292 m | 0:44–0:59 |
| 3Broom Fell | 3.5 km | 421 m | 1:24–1:52 |
| 4Lord's Seat | 4.6 km | 492 m | 1:45–2:20 |
| 5Barf | 5.8 km | 523 m | 2:02–2:42 |
| 6Whinlatter Top | 9.1 km | 690 m | 2:58–3:57 |
| 7Whinlatter (Brown How - Whinlatter) | 9.8 km | 700 m | 3:08–4:09 |
| Finish | 13.6 km | 712 m | 3:54–5:11 |
A fast–steady range from Naismith’s rule, deliberately on the slow side. Breaks, weather, rough ground and the slowest person in your party all add to it. How we time walks.
Access & barriers
Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route?
- Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
- Knees: A sustained ~21% descent over 250 m around the 10.4 km mark — a little jarring on tired knees.
With a dog
Hardest for a dog here: stiles and gates. The steepest stretch is a sustained climb of about 48% around the 0.4 km mark.
- Stiles and gates: Stiles of unmapped type at 1.6, 12.9 and 13.1 km — a dog may need lifting over. (OpenStreetMap, mapped as of 19 July 2026)
- Rock and scrambling: Ground underfoot: Moderate – graded by Lee on the ground. Graded on the ground.
- Drops and exposed ground: Easy – graded by Lee on the ground. Graded on the ground.
- Ways off early: None recorded for this route.
- Livestock, shade and water: Not recorded for this route yet. We never call a stream safe for a dog to drink, so carry enough for both of you. The lead rules, and what to do around cattle, are on dogs on the fells.
On the line: 5 gates · 2 step-over stiles · 3 stiles (type unmapped)
Barriers as mapped on OpenStreetMap, which can miss some. Spotted one? Tell us (opens in new tab). Barrier data as of 19 July 2026. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).
Places to stay near this start
- Croftlands Cottages (opens in new tab) guest houseabout 4.7 km
- Embleton Spa Hotel (opens in new tab) hotelabout 4.8 km
- High Swinside Holiday Cottages (opens in new tab)about 1.4 km
We have not stayed at any of them. We take no bookings or affiliate fees. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).
Walks from places nearby
- Walks from Whinlatter Forest — 3.3 km from this start
Straight-line distance from this walk’s start. Those lists hold the routes we have mapped and every Wainwright and Outlying fell within about 5 km of the town, ranked nearest first.
