3 Mountain Passes to explore in Cumbria
The largest and most widespread industry in Cumbria is tourism. The Lake District National Park alone receives some 15.8 million visitors every year.World-famous for its beautiful lakes and mountainous fells, carved out long ago by glaciers, the Lake District today is a playground for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Hardknott Pass is known as one of Britain's most challenging roads. This single-track road right through the middle of the Lake District National Park, in the region of Cumbria, England, it’s a heart-stopping series of sharp and narrow hairpin bends. It’s said to be the steepest road in England with a gradient of 1 in 3. The pass is often closed in winter due to ice that makes the route impassable for vehicles.
A beautiful mountain pass which starts at Gatesgarth Farm, at the southern end of Buttermere. It connects the Buttermere valley with the eastern end of Borrowdale valley. It is one of Cumbria’s highest passes, with a gradient of 1 in 4. Flowing through the pass from the summit to Buttermere is Gatesgarthdale Beck. Honister Pass holds the UK 24-hour rainfall record; in the 24 hours to 6 pm on 5 December 2015, 341.4 mm of rain fell there.
Kirkstone Pass is a beautiful and the Lake District’s highest pass that is open to motor traffic. The road is very steep and narrow, with a gradient of 1 in 4. This steep twisty road connects Ambleside in the Rothay Valley to Patterdale in the Ullswater Valley. Winter conditions can be hazardous. It was once a vital coaching inn, it now caters primarily for tourists. It is the third-highest public house in England.
