Alfred Wainwright described Ennerdale as 'a dark and funereal shroud of foreign trees', but today it really is a beacon of hope for nature and is one of the largest National Nature Reserves in England. The Wild Ennerdale project started in 2002 with the aim of regenerating habitats and landscapes to enable nature to thrive. The River Liza has been allowed to become a natural mountain river and the trees are now a mix of native and conifer species with meadow and glad areas. Hardy cows graze the woodland along side wild deer. Rare species include red squirrels and Marsh Fritillary butterflies and there is a plan to reintroduce beavers and it hoped Pine Martens will find Ennerdale soon too. When you step into Ennerdale you could be in the Canadian wilderness and it really is a place that is good for the soul! There are over 15 miles of car-free tracks and paths to explore and many other routes link into the valley including Wainwrights Coast to Coast, which will soon to be a
Whinlatter Forest is situated high in the fells near near Keswick, North Lakes. What ever the weather you should get some great views and most rides are almost all off road, bar the odd road you may need to cross. This is the second ride I have written up for Whinlatter and if you click on 'More Posts' you should be able to find the ride called The Gruffalo Ride, which could be linked into this ride to made a 12 mile loop. After getting some advise from the staff at the visitor centre about what routes were open that day, they kindly said we could cut through their corridor! Think they wanted to challenge us! It was the quickest was to the trail. Meeting the Owl from the Gruffalo Trail Starting from Noble Knott Car Park take the path out the car park which brings you out onto a forest track. You then work your way up the hill to Revelin Moss via a network of forest tracks. From Revelin Moss head down to the road and turn left and then right up into the main visitor centr