With The Lake District only a hop, skip and a jump away from our centre, we’ve created a list of our favourite Lake District passes and a little bit about what to expect from them. Passes which are do-able even on a 125cc!
Hardknott and Wrynose pass – Langdales, Lake District
Steepest gradient:33% Top elevation:393m Surface:Tarmac
If you’re looking for an adventure, these are the ones to choose! Famously known as Britain’s most challenging roads and more recently re-named Britain’s most outrageous roads, due to the hair pin bends on a single-track road or the countless potholes and occasional high winds you must navigate through on your way.
Not for the faint hearted, expect sheer descents and accents and plenty of jaw dropping heights and views all the way around.
In the middle of the passes, you will ride along the Dunnerdale pass, a flatter but not-so-much smoother road. Along the Dunnerdale pass there is a little spot called Cockley Beck. Here you will meet a 3-way junction with a picturesque stone bridge crossing a river situated next to a dainty farm, named Cockley Beck Farm, you can turn down the road adjacent to the farm and use this as an ‘escape route’ and travel away from the passes down the side of the Duddon river, or carry on and come out the other side of the pass.
Make sure you are very confident in your biking abilities before trying this one.
Kirkstone - Windermere to Ullswater
Steepest gradient:17% Top elevation:454m Surface:Tarmac Road:A592
What a stunner! In the heart of the Lakes, Kirkstone pass is an A road between Windermere and Ullswater and is home to Britains 3rd highest Pub and Cumbria’s Highest Inn. You begin on a wide section of the A592. The road then narrows and follows a snake like path which leads to a clearing that really allows you to appreciate the scale of the mountains.
Carrying on through the twists and turns you will arrive at The Kirkstone Inn, where you can pick up a bite to eat, rest and take in the landscape. Down the Hartsop valley dodging the rough patches in the road and sweeping round the bends, Brothers water and the surrounding mountains come into view, on a clear day you may be able to spot Ullswater lake. At the other side you can keep going until you reach Patterdale, a sweet little village with lots going on! Carry on to Ullswater, there is many roads which are amazing for bikes beyond here and SO many activities to be done in this area.
The struggle
There’s an alternative way to top of the pass, and it’s called ‘The Struggle’ for a reason! Find the beginning of this route by going to Ambleside and taking the exit signposted 'Kirkstone' when you reach the roundabout outside the University of Cumbria, Ambleside. You begin the intense climb as quickly as you turn off the roundabout. Go round the left-hand bend and continue until you go through and out the top of a housing estate. This is a small single track road and you might encounter cars, tractors and vans on your way up. With plenty of passing places and open roads, it’s more fun than a struggle but be prepared for low gears and steep climbs. Keep riding and you will find yourself at a junction directly opposite the Kirkstone Inn.
Corney Fell - Corney, West Lake Disctrict
Avg. gradient:5.4% Top elevation:375m Surface:Tarmac Road:A595
Hidden away in the west of the Lakes near Ravenglass lays the panoramic road of Corney Fell. For the best views travel west to east.
Less travelled than the other passes, you’ll discover open fields and long bumpy roads. Over the cattle grids, passing a few separate farms and plenty of sheep and cattle. It’s a pleasant surprise to not find many potholes or hair pin bends, although its not empty of them and with the road going over a fell, it still has that adventure feel. Coming down towards Broughton-in-Furness, it feels as if you’ve got a bird-eye view of the Lake District mountains, you can try and piece up how it all fits together. I could sit in awe of that view for hours, no matter the season. Keep right and eventually you come into some woodland and come out at a junction just before the traffic lights at the Duddon Bridge.
Birker fell - Ulpha
Avg. gradient: 5.4% Top elevation:375m Surface:Tarmac Road to take:A595
Travelling east from Ulpha and on route to Eskdale and Wastwater, there lays Birker fell. 9 miles of steepness, sweeping bends and quite frankly butt-squeezing moments. However, the road surface is probably the most polished out of all the passes listed here.
To start off this ride, you are instantly hit with a what-feels-vertical double cornered road layout. This is such a fun bit of road to get started on this pass and really sets the tone.
Once you’ve climbed up the road some more, it levels out a little and you can start to soak in the views. Follow the sweeping bends and gorgeous open roads all the way through, you’ll pass tarns, waterfalls and a few brew spots along the way.
At the other side of this pass you can carry on towards Eskdale or make a left turn and get yourself back up the Hardknott pass!
The sign to start the pass from Ulpha
Honister - Keswick
Avg. gradient:10% Top elevation:363m Surface: Tarmac Road to take:B5289
Quite a well-known pass and possibly one of the most beautiful, Honister is full of scenic views and wide roads. Beginning from Borrowdale, you’ll ride through tree arches hanging over the road, it feels as if you’re going through a tunnel of leaves (or a spooky, sleepy hollow feel during winter).
Finishing the tree tunnel you’ll meet a more open space where you can see the road visibly up to the top, there’s so many sweet picture moments for the bike up here. Reaching the top you'll be greeted by Honister Slate mine Quarry, the last working slate quarry in England. Stop for a brew and a munch, mine tour/climb or try the breath-taking Via Ferrata, just make sure you’ve got a head for heights. Following on from here you go down a winding path which leads to Buttermere and Crummock water. The roads here are out of this world and so much fun on a motorbike, you won’t be able to help your smile scrunching up your cheeks in your helmet.
All in all, despite its potholes and bad weather, The Lake District is one of the most enjoyable riding destinations in the U.K. If you really want to put your riding skills to the test and are up for a bit of a challenge, this is where to go.