Whinlatter's tracks will be out of bounds during the rally. Photo:Steven Brown CC-BY-SA-2.0
Walkers and mountain bikers are being warned to avoid some of the Lake District’s forests when the customary peace of the area will be broken by the sound of more than 100 rally cars speeding along tracks.
Paths and tracks in Grizedale, Whinlatter and Wythop Forests will be out of bounds to outdoor enthusiasts for one day to allow competitors in the Malcolm Wilson Rally to use the forest routes.
The Lake District National Park authority said all footpaths, bridleways and trails between Coniston Water and the Hawkshead to Satterthwaite Road and others at Wythop and Whinlatter will be out of use for walkers and cyclists during the event.
The Forestry Commission will also be closing most permitted paths, cycle routes, and open access land around the rally routes.
About 5,000 spectators are expected at the rally, which will take place on Saturday, 3 March.
Signs will be in place explaining path closures. The Lake District national park’s access and rights of way officer Nick Thorne apologised for any inconvenience.
“We really have no option but to put public safety first,” he said. “It would present a serious risk if people were to carry on using the rights of way when the rally is in progress.”
Katie Jarvis, recreation ranger for the Forestry Commission at Grizedale added: “The rally is a great event to watch, but for those who would rather walk or mountain bike there are alternative routes on the east side of the Hawkshead to Satterthwaite road.
“Although the North Face Trail is closed for the day, a mapped alternative, taking in the delights of Claife, is available from our visitor centre and bike shop. On Sunday we will be fully open for business as usual.”
At Whinlatter, the Altura Trail will be closed for the morning, although all of the forest should be open as usual by lunchtime as the rally moves south. Closed paths and tracks will be marked with notices.
Spectator car parks will also be clearly signposted and if possible, non-rally visitors should avoid using roads in the affected areas on the day, the authority said.
More information can be found on the Forestry Commission’s Whinlatter and Grizedale websites.
