United Kingdom, Lake District, England
England's steepest road gradient, a brutal one in three climb over Roman ruins.
Length
5 km
In miles
3.1 mi
Driving time
10 min
Atlas rating
9.5 / 10
The run
Boot to Eskdale Green. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Ice and snow regularly close the summit in winter
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 21 June 2026
Nearby
4 km away
Wrynose Pass
Narrow single track linking Langdale to Duddon Valley over the ancient Three Shire Stone.
13 km away
Honister Pass
A steep slate quarry pass squeezed between towering fells above Buttermere.
20 km away
Kirkstone Pass
The highest road pass in the Lakes open to through traffic, with sweeping fell views.
61 km away
Trough of Bowland
A ribbon of tarmac threading heather fells said to mark the centre of Britain.
61 km away
Hartside Pass
A biker's classic with wide open views across the Eden Valley to the Lakeland fells.
63 km away
Buttertubs Pass
Tour de France famous climb past limestone potholes between two classic dale villages.
Plan around it
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The A4069, Britain's most photogenic set of hairpins.
United Kingdom, Scotland
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Empty single-track, sea lochs and the Bealach na Bà.
United Kingdom, Scottish Highlands
Bealach na Bà and Applecross
Britain's most alpine road, then a coast road that most people never bother to finish.
A to B journeys
4 days
London to Lake Garda
The classic run south from England to the Italian lakes, taken the long way through the Alps rather than straight down the autoroute.
4 days
London to The Dolomites
The best pass driving in Europe sits at the end of this one, reached through Germany and Austria rather than Switzerland.
3 days
London to Monaco
Straight down France and into the Alpes Maritimes, with the Route Napoléon and Col de Turini as the finale.
Longer journeys