Top 14 Mountain Passes around Copeland

The Copeland area, particularly within the Lake District National Park, is home to several challenging mountain passes. Wrynose Pass Climb from Fell Foot Farm is notorious for its steep gradients, averaging 11% over 2.5 km, with sections over 20%. Hardknott Pass, often tackled with Wrynose, is also one of Britain's steepest roads, reaching up to 33%. For hikers, Mickledore Pass, between Scafell Pike and Scafell, offers rugged terrain and access to strenuous scrambles like Lord's Rake.

Several passes boast significant historical features. Hardknott Pass is home to the impressive ruins of a Roman Fort. At the summit of Wrynose Pass, you'll find the Three Shire Stone, marking the historic meeting point of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire. Sty Head Stretcher Box marks an ancient and wild trade route, historically used by packhorses, deep within the Lake District.

While many passes offer challenging terrain, some can be enjoyed by families depending on the activity. Cold Fell Road is categorized as family-friendly, offering views and a road suitable for intermediate activities. Honister Pass, with its Honister Slate Mine, provides a unique attraction that can be interesting for families, offering a blend of dramatic scenery and a historical experience.

The mountain passes in Copeland offer breathtaking and diverse views. From Wrynose Pass, you can admire the Langdale Pikes and stunning vistas looking back down the valley. Scarth Gap Pass provides spectacular views of the Buttermere valley and the tranquil Ennerdale. Kirkstone Pass, the highest pass open to motor traffic, offers exceptional vistas over Troutbeck and Brothers Water. Many passes, like Birker Fell Road, are celebrated for their remote beauty and panoramic views of the surrounding fells.

The best time to visit the mountain passes in Copeland is generally during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn (May to October), when weather conditions are more stable and daylight hours are longer. During winter, conditions can be severe, with snow, ice, and strong winds making many passes, especially the higher and steeper ones like Hardknott and Wrynose, impassable or extremely challenging for both vehicles and hikers.

The mountain passes around Copeland are gateways to a wide range of outdoor activities. You can find numerous cycling routes, including challenging road cycling tours over passes like Hardknott and Wrynose, as well as mountain biking trails. Hiking is very popular, with passes like Sty Head Pass and Esk Hause serving as hubs for ascents to prominent peaks like Scafell Pike, Great Gable, and Bowfell. For more ideas, explore the Cycling around Copeland, Road Cycling Routes around Copeland, and MTB Trails around Copeland guides.

Mickledore Pass is a unique rocky ridge situated between England's two highest mountains, Scafell Pike and Scafell. Esk Hause is a high crossroads nestled between several major peaks, making it a central hub for various hiking routes. Hardknott and Wrynose Passes are notable for their extreme steepness and tight bends, making them some of the most challenging roads in Britain.

Not all mountain passes in Copeland are open to motor traffic. While passes like Hardknott, Wrynose, Honister, and Kirkstone are roads, some, such as Sty Head Pass, Mickledore Pass, Scarth Gap Pass, and Esk Hause, are ancient footpaths or high mountain cols primarily used for hiking and scrambling. Kirkstone Pass is the highest pass in the Lake District that is open to motor traffic.

Sty Head Pass is an ancient and wild trade route located deep within the mountainous heart of the Lake District, connecting Borrowdale and Wasdale. It's significant as a meeting point for six distinct paths and sits between prominent peaks like Great Gable and Great End. The presence of a mountain rescue stretcher box at its summit underscores the serious nature of the surrounding terrain and its importance as a navigational aid for hikers.

While many passes are well-known, Birker Fell Road is often considered a hidden gem. It's celebrated for its remote beauty and offers a challenging climb with plenty of respite, providing stunning views without the same level of traffic as some of the more famous passes. It's a real treat for those seeking a quieter, yet equally rewarding, experience.

Honister Pass is popular for its dramatic scenery and unique attractions. It links the valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere and is home to Honister Slate Mine, the last working slate mine in England, offering a fascinating historical and industrial experience. The pass also provides wonderful views down to Buttermere and Crummock Water, and can be combined with Newlands Pass for a scenic circular route.

Scarth Gap Pass connects the beautiful Buttermere valley with the tranquil Ennerdale. Its main attractions include the stunning views it offers of both valleys, and its role as a route for an entertaining scramble to the summit of Haystacks, a beloved fell and the final resting place of Alfred Wainwright. It also serves as a path for energetic hikers looking to reach the remote summit of Pillar.