Whinlatter: 517m Height, Walks and Lakeland Views

Whinlatter is a modest fell with a strong woodland setting, rising above the pass that shares its name. At 517m, it belongs to the quieter north-western edge of the Lakeland fells, where open ridges meet extensive conifer plantations. Walkers often know the forest before they know the fell, but the higher ground offers a different perspective: open sky, a long ridge and neighbouring summits close enough to study.

A fell above the forest

Whinlatter stands north of Whinlatter Pass, the road crossing between the Keswick side of the district and the country around Lorton. Its character comes from the meeting of forestry and open fell. Conifers cover much of the surrounding ground, while the upper ridge provides a more open outlook. This is not a sharply pointed summit or a great craggy massif; its interest lies in the length of its skyline and its position among larger neighbours.

Grisedale Pike is a prominent presence to the south, across the pass. To the north and north-east lie Broom Fell and Lord’s Seat, part of the same compact group of north-western fells. These nearby heights give the views their structure. Rather than looking only towards distant landmarks, Whinlatter rewards attention to the ridges, wooded slopes and folds of ground immediately around it.

Whinlatter among the Wainwrights

Whinlatter appears in The North Western Fells, the sixth volume of Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. Its recorded height is 517m, or 1,696ft, placing it 165th in height among the 214 Wainwrights. The supplied summit grid reference is NY191251. Those figures put it firmly among the lower fells, but height alone says little about the variety of its setting.

Its neighbouring Wainwrights include Broom Fell, Lord’s Seat, Graystones and Grisedale Pike. Together, they help explain Whinlatter’s place in the district: away from the highest central summits, yet surrounded by recognisable fell country. Walks here have a notably different feel from the exposed ridges farther south in the North Western Fells, with woodland forming an important part of the landscape rather than merely a fringe at the valley floor.

The better-known Whinlatter

For many visitors, the name first means Whinlatter Forest, managed by Forestry England and well known for its walking and mountain-bike trails. The visitor centre and forest recreation facilities make this a familiar destination even for people who have never set out to collect Wainwright summits.

The fell gives that familiar name a wider meaning. Above the managed forest landscape is an open ridge belonging to the surrounding fell group. That contrast is Whinlatter’s particular appeal: woodland is central to its identity, but it does not tell the whole story.

Where Whinlatter stands

Summit at grid reference NY191251 · open full map

The real Whinlatter

Walking Whinlatter

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Whinlatter Forest (thehikinghousehold.com)
• Activities at Whinlatter Forest (forestryengland.uk)
• Whinlatter and Lords Seat Circular, Cumbria, England (alltrails.com)

Weather on Whinlatter

Conditions estimated at summit height (517 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Whinlatter on your wall

A painting of Whinlatter can hold the contrast that makes this fell memorable: dark conifers beneath an open skyline, with neighbouring ridges beyond. On a wall at home, it is a quiet reminder of a part of Lakeland where forest and fell meet.

Own “Sunlit Farm Under Whinlatter Forest” — our painting of Whinlatter → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The North Western Fells

• Broom Fell 510 m
• Lord's Seat 552 m
• Grisedale Pike 790 m
• Graystones 450 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.