Top 20 Mountain Passes in North West England

North West England offers several challenging mountain passes. Hardknott Pass is famously one of England's steepest roads, with gradients up to 33%. Its counterpart, Wrynose Pass, also features gradients reaching 1 in 3. Both are single-track roads forming part of an ancient Roman route. Honister Pass, connecting Borrowdale to Buttermere, has steep sections of 1 in 4 and is popular for cycling events and hiking. For cyclists, the Whinlatter Pass Climb from Braithwaite offers a good challenge on forest-lined roads.

Yes, several passes boast rich history. Near the summit of Hardknott Pass, you can explore the well-preserved Hardknott Roman Fort (Mediobogdum), dating back to the 2nd century. At the top of Wrynose Pass, the historic Three Shire Stone marks the former meeting point of three counties. Kirkstone Pass is home to the Kirkstone Inn, a former coaching inn from 1496, and passes by the Kirkstone Quarry, known for its distinctive slate. Additionally, Sty Head is the apex of an ancient trade route, separating Great Gable and the Scafell massif.

Many passes offer breathtaking vistas. Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass provide superb scenery and panoramic views of the fells and valleys. Kirkstone Pass offers exceptional views over Troutbeck and Brothers Water. Honister Pass is celebrated for its stunning mountain views, rugged cliffs, and sweeping valleys, especially vibrant in autumn. Newlands Pass is renowned for its dramatic scenery, including views of hills, waterfalls, and panoramic mountain vistas from its summit car park. The Trough of Bowland Pass is also a popular viewpoint, particularly beautiful with heather in autumn.

The region around these mountain passes is ideal for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including routes around Derwent Water and Buttermere. For more challenging adventures, there are extensive mountain hikes, such as those to Scafell Pike or Helvellyn. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore MTB trails like those in Gisburn Forest or the Borrowdale Bash. You can find more details on these activities in the Running Trails in North West England, Mountain Hikes in North West England, and MTB Trails in North West England guides.

While many passes are challenging, some offer features suitable for families. Whinlatter Pass, winding through Thornthwaite Forest, provides a less severe feel than other passes and is home to the Whinlatter Visitor Centre, which often has family-friendly activities. The Trough of Bowland Pass is a scenic highlight with beautiful views, and its approach from the west can be less strenuous, making it more accessible for a family outing. Always check specific route details for suitability with children.

The mountain passes of North West England are rich in natural beauty. You'll encounter dramatic fells, deep valleys, and rugged cliffs. Many passes offer views of stunning lakes, such as Brothers Water from Kirkstone Pass, or Bassenthwaite Lake from Whinlatter Pass. Waterfalls, like Moss Beck falls near Newlands Pass, are also common. High up in the mountains, you can find tarns like Grisedale Tarn, known for its atmospheric setting. The landscape often features heather, particularly vibrant in autumn, and ancient woodlands.

The best time to visit generally depends on your activity. Late spring to early autumn (May to October) offers the most favorable weather for driving, cycling, and hiking, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures. Autumn is particularly stunning for its vibrant foliage, especially around Honister Pass and the Trough of Bowland Pass. Winter visits can be challenging due to snow and ice, often leading to road closures on higher passes like Hardknott and Wrynose, but offer a unique, stark beauty for experienced winter hikers.

Yes, you can find amenities near some passes. The Kirkstone Pass is notable for the Kirkstone Pass Inn, historically England's third-highest pub, which is undergoing refurbishment. Near the summit of Honister Pass, the Honister Slate Mine offers a café. For the Whinlatter Pass Climb from Braithwaite, you can find a visitor center with a coffee and cake shop at the top. For other passes, nearby villages and towns like Ambleside, Buttermere, and Wasdale Head offer various accommodation and dining options.

The mountain passes in North West England are a cyclist's paradise due to their challenging gradients, stunning scenery, and varied terrain. Passes like Hardknott and Wrynose are legendary for their extreme steepness, forming part of arduous cycling challenges like the Fred Whitton Challenge. The Whinlatter Pass Climb from Braithwaite and Trough of Bowland Pass are also popular, offering rewarding climbs and descents with beautiful views. Many routes follow ancient paths, providing a unique blend of history and physical exertion.

While popular passes can attract many visitors, some offer a more remote experience. Stake Pass, accessed from Dungeon Ghyll in the Langdale Valley, provides remote and beautiful mountain scenery with rocky trails and magnificent valley views. Styhead Pass, an ancient packhorse route, climbs among epic peaks and features Styhead Tarn, offering rugged mountain vistas away from the busiest spots. These passes often require more strenuous hiking, which naturally deters larger crowds.

Many passes are excellent starting points or destinations for hikers. Styhead Pass is a classic hiking route, climbing almost 500m from Wasdale Head and leading among iconic peaks like Great Gable and Scafell Pike. Stake Pass offers remote and beautiful mountain scenery with rocky trails and magnificent valley views, ideal for those seeking a more secluded hike. The area around Grisedale Tarn provides a choice of routes for hikers, including options for ridge walks with spectacular views.