Hardknott Pass, a twisting road in the Lake District, is one of the steepest in the UK, with a maximum gradient of 33%. It winds through the mountains with hairpin turns that challenge even experienced drivers.
A magnet for cyclists
The steep gradient draws endurance cyclists from around the world. It is steeper than any mountain stage in European races, including the Tour de France. Every year, cyclists take on the Fred Whitton Challenge, a 112-mile ride around the Lake District that includes Hardknott Pass.
Roman origins and later use
A version of the pass was built by the Romans around AD 110 to link the coastal fort at Ravenglass with their garrisons in Ambleside. Called the tenth highway, it fell into disrepair after the Romans left Britain in the early 5th century. For years, it served as an unpaved packhorse route for transporting lead and farming goods.
In the 1880s, the English Lake District Association, a group of hoteliers, improved the road to attract more visitors. However, by 1891, it had failed to draw the expected numbers. Instead, cyclists and motorists embraced the route, which was described in a guide as 'difficult going West, cruel coming East.'
World War II tank training
During World War II, the remote pass was regularly used by British forces to train tank drivers. The heavy vehicles completely destroyed the remaining road surface. After the war, the road was finally tarmacked and opened to civilian vehicles.
Driving Hardknott Pass today
Today, the pass offers a thrilling drive. Drivers coming downhill must be prepared to reverse into tight passing bays to allow those ascending to pass. Despite the challenge, the views at the 393-metre summit are rewarding, with panoramic vistas stretching toward the Scafell range. Along the route, the ruins of Hardknott Roman fort stand as a reminder of the soldiers who once guarded the mountain wilderness.
