Borrowdale, Honister and Whinlatter

A loop from Keswick through the north-western fells: down Borrowdale, over Honister to Buttermere and along Crummock Water, and home over Whinlatter, through the forest.

The drive

From Keswick the B5289 runs along Derwentwater and into Borrowdale, past the Bowder Stone, a boulder the size of a house balanced on one edge, and on through Grange and Rosthwaite to Seatoller.

Honister Pass climbs steeply out of Seatoller to the slate mine at the top, which is still worked, and drops down the far side between the screes to Buttermere. The road carries on along Crummock Water to Lorton.

From Lorton the B5292 climbs over Whinlatter, through what calls itself England's only true mountain forest, and down to Braithwaite and Keswick.

Worth knowing

• Honister is steep, with gradients of 1 in 4, and narrow in places.
• The car parks at Seatoller, Honister and Buttermere fill early on fine days.
• The visitor centre near the top of Whinlatter has a café and walks through the forest.