Forest Walks Off Limits this Saturday
Walkers, cyclists and horse are warning of disruption this weekend as the 39th Malcolm Wilson Rally is set for this Saturday, 8th March and rights of way will be closed as drivers race over woodland tracks and land around Grizedale Forest, Wythop Woods and Whinlatter Forest.
Around 130 cars and up to 6,000 spectators will flock to the acclaimed forest spectacular.
All footpaths, bridleways and trails between Coniston Water and the Hawkshead-Satterthwaite Road, and others at Wythop and Whinlatter, will be out of bounds during the event. The Forestry Commission will also be closing most permitted paths, cycle routes, and open access land around the rally routes.
Closures are necessary to avoid potential danger, according to Lake District National Park's countryside access assistant, Julia Knott, who apologised for any inconvenience. She added:
We have to put public safety first and it would present a serious risk if people were to carry on using the rights of way while the rally is in progress.Signs will be in place and maps of affected routes displayed on access points. Routes on the east side of the Hawkshead to Satterthwaite road will remain open as usual.
All the rights of way will be re-opened as soon as possible after the rally has passed through.
Details of the closure are available at the Lake District National Park offices at Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, LA9 7RL or the Blencathra Centre, Blease Road, Threlkeld, Keswick, CA12 4SG, or on their web site.
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Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions.