Top 9 Mountain Passes in North Pennines AONB

The North Pennines AONB offers several popular mountain passes. For cyclists, Hartside Pass Ascent from Melmerby is a renowned 5-mile climb, often cited as one of the best and longest continuous climbs in the UK. Another challenging option is Chapel Fell / Harthope Moss Climb from St John's Chapel, which provides amazing views over Weardale and Teesdale. For scenic drives, the A686 over Hartside Pass is highly recommended, as is the B6277 from Alston to Langdon Beck, and the B6276 from Middleton-in-Teesdale to Brough.

The mountain passes in the North Pennines AONB traverse a diverse landscape characterized by wild moors, remote fells, and green dales. As a UNESCO Global Geopark, the region showcases significant geological heritage, with routes often winding through rolling hills and deep valleys. You'll encounter elevated routes with varied surfaces, from well-maintained roads to more isolated moorland sections.

Hartside Pass, part of the A686, reaches a summit of 1904 feet (approximately 580 meters). The Weardale–Teesdale Pass (B6278) reaches an impressive elevation of 511 meters on Middleton Common, offering expansive views across the moorland.

Many passes offer spectacular viewpoints. From the summit of Hartside Pass, you can enjoy expansive views stretching all the way to Scotland and the Solway Firth. The pass also features a café and parking area at its peak. Chapel Fell / Harthope Moss Climb provides amazing views over Weardale and Teesdale. The Weardale–Teesdale Pass (B6278) also offers fabulous views in all directions from its high point on Middleton Common.

Yes, the North Pennines AONB offers numerous hiking opportunities near its mountain passes. For instance, you can find challenging routes like the High Cup Nick & the Pennine Way loop from Dufton, or moderate options such as the Dufton Pike circular. You can explore more options on the Running Trails in North Pennines AONB guide, which includes many walking routes.

Beyond exploring the passes themselves, the North Pennines AONB is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find extensive options for mountain biking, with routes like the Blanchland Moor & Edmundbyers Common loop, detailed in the MTB Trails in North Pennines AONB guide. Gravel biking is also popular, with routes such as the Consett to Waskerley Cycleway loop, available in the Gravel biking in North Pennines AONB guide.

The North Pennines AONB, designated a UNESCO Global Geopark, is renowned for its dramatic natural features. The passes often provide access to a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes, featuring rolling hills, deep valleys, and numerous waterfalls such as the impressive High Force and Cauldron Snout. The region is often described as England's 'last wilderness' due to its wild and expansive character.

The best time to visit the North Pennines AONB for exploring its passes is generally from late spring to early autumn (May to October) when the weather is milder and more predictable. During these months, the moorlands are vibrant, and conditions are more favorable for driving, cycling, and hiking. Winter can bring challenging conditions, including snow and ice, especially on higher passes.

Yes, there are options for refreshments. Hartside Pass has a café and parking area at its summit, offering a convenient stop with views. If you're exploring routes around Alston, which is the highest market town in the North Pennines, you'll find cafes and pubs there. For those tackling Chapel Fell / Harthope Moss, the Chatterbox Cafe in St John's Chapel or Bowlees Visitor Centre in Teesdale are good places to refuel.

The mountain passes in the North Pennines AONB offer a range of difficulty levels, catering to different experiences. You'll find routes classified from intermediate to challenging. For example, Hartside Pass Ascent from Melmerby is known for its gentle gradient, making it accessible, while Chapel Fell / Harthope Moss Climb is considered a formidable test for cyclists. The Weardale–Teesdale Pass (B6278) is an intermediate moorland road.

Visitors consistently praise the incredible views and the sense of isolation and wilderness offered by the North Pennines AONB passes. Cyclists particularly enjoy the challenging yet rewarding climbs and descents, often describing them as some of the best in the UK. The expansive moorland scenery, the opportunity to experience England's 'last wilderness,' and the dramatic geological formations are also highly appreciated.