Forest tracks will be closed to walkers and mountain bikers. Photo: Steven Brown CC-BY-SA-2.0

Outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful outing in the Lake District are being warned to steer clear of three forests this weekend.

High-powered rally will blast through Grizedale, Wythop and Whinlatter Forests on Saturday as the 39th Malcolm Wilson Rally is staged in the area.

Rights of way and open access land will be closed during the event, to ensure the public’s safety.

About 130 cars and up to 6,000 spectators are expected for the annual rally round the forest tracks.

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.

The Lake District national park’s countryside access assistant Julia Knott said: “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.

A prize ceremony will take place at Rheged

“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, the Lake District National Park Authority said.

The rally will start in Cockermouth and a prize presentation will take place after the stages at the Rheged Centre near Penrith.