Whinlatter is fun but Gruzedale really is some of the worst riding in the lakes. Much better natural trails in that area.
Totally disagree the Northface if you have not done it before is good fun one big climb the rest is down hill high speed fun with a few fireroad climbs thrown in. There are lots of cracking bridleways there of course as well.
I really don’t know why people slag it so much Winlatter is good but I must admit the first time I did it after reading all the fan boy posts I got half way round the Nothern Red loop and wondered if I’d been riding the right place, was not that impressed TBH! It got better after that though 🙂
Horses for courses I suppose ride them both and make your own mind up OP Oh and were are doing Northface again tomorrow just for the hell of it 😀