I did Whinlatter from Lords Seat and back today. I was doing the 6 W's from Wythop Mill - Ling Fell, Greystones, Broom Fell, Lords Seat, Barf and Sale Fell. But it was such a glorious day, and Whinlatter looked so close... I got chatting to a fellow walker who had the forest walking guide so was able to work out how to to get there. The key is the numbered posts.
Whinlatter to Lords SeatFrom the top of Whinlatter head east towards the forest fence, then follow it north then north-east to Tarbarrel Moss. Tucked away in the corner is a nice new gate. From the top of this little knoll there's a neat little path heading north down through the trees - crosses the Mountain bike trail then continues straight down to the main track junction. You'll see a post with a no.3 on it. Take the track that goes up to the north-east - past this post. Mountain bikers come down this short section of path, but when the track ahead shows no entry, take the turning on the left. A little further on a path branches up on the right (post no. 53) ignore this and keep on the lower path to the left. Follow this for about 600m to the next junction (post no. 5) and turn left again. Follow this path to the stile at the edge of the forest and you're almost at the top of Lords Seat.
Lords Seat to WhinlatterFrom the top of Lords Seat take the path heading down to the stile into the forest. Follow this path down to post no. 5 and turn right. After 600m, ignore the path coming in from up left (post no. 53) and continue ahead. Then turn right at the next junction (where the mountain bikes join the path from the left). The path drops down into a clearing with a junction of tracks (post no.3). The track to the left goes down to the visitor centre, the track to the right winds its way down to Darling How car park. If you look more-or-less straight over the junction you'll see the red arrow post for the mountain bike trail and just to the left of this is a barely noticeable path up through the trees. Follow this for about 100m uphill (re-crossing the bike trail) to emerge at the top of a knoll and you'll see the little gate onto the open fell on your right. Follow the fence south-west then south, then choose a route across to Whinlatter top (keeping close to the fence loses least height)
- The path to Tarbarrel Moss from track junction (post no.3) - MTB trail on right, barely visible path in centre of picture
I hope this helps. I met 2 couples on Whinlatter who'd dropped down to the Visitor Centre then slogged back up hill because they couldn't find the elusive path. So I'm sure I'm not the only persons who dreads forest paths, although I think a nice shiny GPS would sort out that problem!