Lake District passes

This is the steepest road drive in England, with gradients of 1 in 3 on Hardknott. The loop links Ambleside, the two passes, Eskdale and the central lakes. It is not for big vehicles or nervous drivers.

The stops

1. Start

   Ambleside

2. Viewpoint

   Wrynose Pass

   Single-track pass

3. Viewpoint

   Cockley Beck

   Junction at the foot of Hardknott

4. Worth a look

   Hardknott Roman Fort

   Roman fort on the pass

5. Worth a look

   Eskdale Mill

   Water mill

6. Town

   Keswick

   Lakeside town

7. Lake

   Derwentwater

   Lake

8. Lake

   Windermere

   Largest lake in England

9. Back to the start

   Ambleside

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Ambleside

  Low Wray campsite

When to go

Apr–Oct

On the road

Single-track steep roads, closed by ice in winter