[1] The North Western Fells occupy the area between the rivers Derwent and Cocker, a broadly oval swathe of hilly country, elongated on a north-south axis.

The main line of high ground runs east to west, taking in Barf, Lord's Seat, Broom Fell and Graystones, before petering out in the direction of Cockermouth.

Lord's Seat however sends out a substantial additional ridge which starts southward, curves west and finally turns back north.

[2][3] The ridge then narrows at Tarbarrel Moss at 1,617 ft (493 m), before rising again as it turns westward to arrive at Whinlatter Top, the summit.

The summit of the pass lies south east of Whinlatter Top, marking the line of the Derwent-Cocker watershed.

This falls from Tarbarrel Moss to the road, bypassing the highest point of the fell so that all of its waters flow to the Cocker.

To the north of Whinlatter is the quiet valley of Aiken Beck, its entrance neatly hidden in the woods between Brown How and Graystones.

The full circuit of Aiken Beck, taking in Graystones, Broom Fell, Lord's Seat and Whinlatter is also a possibility.