United Kingdom, North Pennines, England
A biker's classic with wide open views across the Eden Valley to the Lakeland fells.
Length
13 km
In miles
8.1 mi
Driving time
24 min
Atlas rating
9.1 / 10
The run
Alston to Melmerby, following the A686. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
One of England's first roads to close in snow
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 April 2026
Nearby
28 km away
Military Road
An arrow straight Roman era road that rolls dramatically beside Hadrian's Wall.
44 km away
Kirkstone Pass
The highest road pass in the Lakes open to through traffic, with sweeping fell views.
50 km away
Buttertubs Pass
Tour de France famous climb past limestone potholes between two classic dale villages.
53 km away
Honister Pass
A steep slate quarry pass squeezed between towering fells above Buttermere.
58 km away
Wrynose Pass
Narrow single track linking Langdale to Duddon Valley over the ancient Three Shire Stone.
61 km away
Hardknott Pass
England's steepest road gradient, a brutal one in three climb over Roman ruins.
Plan around it
Curated drives
United Kingdom, Wales
Black Mountain Pass
The A4069, Britain's most photogenic set of hairpins.
United Kingdom, Scotland
North West Highlands
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