Top 8 Mountain Passes around Matterdale

Matterdale serves as a gateway to several significant mountain passes. Among them, Grisedale Tarn is a popular high-altitude lake that acts as a pass between Grasmere and Patterdale. Descent Towards Brothers Water via Kirkstone Pass offers spectacular views and is the Lake District's highest pass open to motor traffic. For a quieter experience, Scandale Pass provides a wilder route between Ambleside and Ullswater. Additionally, Sticks Pass is a challenging foot pass leading towards the Helvellyn massif, and Boredale Hause is a historical crossroads for walkers in the eastern fells.

Yes, several challenging routes are available. Sticks Pass, for instance, is a high foot pass involving steep climbs, particularly from Glenridding, and is an adventurous route for hikers aiming for the Helvellyn summit. The ascent to Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside is famously known as "The Struggle" due to its steep gradient, making it a challenging climb for cyclists and walkers alike. Hause Gap also features several challenging footpaths.

The mountain passes around Matterdale offer diverse and spectacular views. From Kirkstone Pass, you can enjoy panoramic vistas, especially on the descent towards Patterdale, with Brothers Water as a picturesque focal point. Sticks Pass provides 360-degree panoramic views at the top, including sights of Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike. Boredale Hause offers expansive views encompassing the Patterdale valley, the Helvellyn range, and surrounding fells. Grisedale Tarn is set in an atmospheric high mountain environment.

Yes, several passes have historical significance. Near the summit of Kirkstone Pass stands the Kirkstone Pass Inn, the third-highest public house in England, which historically served as a coaching inn. Boredale Hause features a small ruin, often called the "Chapel in the Hause," marking the site of a former chapel that served as a meeting point for communities. Grisedale Tarn is also steeped in folklore, with tales of a battle fought in 945AD and a crown thrown into its waters.

Beyond hiking, the area around Matterdale's mountain passes is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous road cycling routes, including challenging climbs like "The Struggle Hill Climb" near Kirkstone Pass, or moderate routes like the "Ullswater Lakeshore Road." Mountain biking is also popular, with trails such as "The Cockpit Stone Circle" loop. For more detailed routes, explore the Road Cycling Routes around Matterdale or MTB Trails around Matterdale guides.

Scandale Pass is noted as a much wilder and quieter option for travelers on foot between Ambleside and Ullswater, especially compared to the busier Kirkstone Pass. It offers a peaceful alternative for those seeking solitude in the fells.

The Lake District, including the passes around Matterdale, is beautiful year-round, but the best time for hiking and outdoor activities is generally from late spring to early autumn (May to October). During these months, the weather is typically milder, and paths are less likely to be affected by snow or ice, making for safer and more enjoyable exploration. However, conditions can change rapidly, so always be prepared for varied weather.

While many passes involve challenging terrain, there are easier hiking options in the broader Matterdale area. For example, you can find easy hikes like the "Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Trail" or the "Great Mell Fell summit loop." These routes offer a less strenuous way to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. You can find more options in the Easy hikes around Matterdale guide.

Yes, the area offers amenities for visitors. The Kirkstone Pass Inn, located near the summit of Kirkstone Pass, is a historic public house that caters to tourists. While Matterdale itself is rural, the surrounding valleys like Patterdale and Ambleside, which are connected by these passes, offer various accommodation options and pubs for hikers and travelers.

Grisedale Tarn is significant not only for its atmospheric setting high in the mountains but also because it represents a crucial meeting point for walkers. It serves as a pass between Grasmere and Patterdale, where hikers often converge and choose between different routes, including those leading to St. Sunday Crag or the Helvellyn massif.

Kirkstone Pass is the Lake District's highest pass open to motor traffic, reaching an altitude of 1,489 feet (454 meters). It connects Ambleside to Patterdale via the A592 road, making it quite accessible for scenic drives. However, the ascent from Ambleside, known as "The Struggle," is very steep and requires careful driving.

Sticks Pass Trail is described as a descent highlight for mountain bikers, particularly the Ullswater side from west to east. It starts fast and open at the top, narrows into singletrack, and finishes with fun switchbacks down a scree slope. Riders should be cautious of a few fords and sharp corners.