Sight
Kirkstone Pass
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Kirkstone Pass is the highest road pass in the Lake District open to motor vehicles, reaching an elevation of 1,489 feet (454 meters). The drive is steep and winding, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding fells, including Red Screes and the Caudale Moor. At the summit, the Kirkstone Pass Inn, one of the highest inns in England, provides a welcome stop. The pass connects Ambleside with Patterdale and Ullswater, making it a dramatic route for drivers and cyclists. On clear days, the vistas stretch across the central Lake District.
Don't miss
- Drive or cycle the steep, winding road to the summit for panoramic mountain views.
- Stop at the Kirkstone Pass Inn, a historic pub at the top, for refreshments.
- Photograph the dramatic landscape, especially the view of Red Screes and the Troutbeck Valley.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Kirkstone Pass
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAmbleside, Keswick and Ullswater: A Lake District Self-Guided Driving Tour4.3★ · 22 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$15 per personSee dates →
Most bookedGeiranger Shore Excursion Mt. Dalsnibba and Eagle Road4.7★ · 738 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$125 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleLake District Landscapes: A Self-Guided Audio Drive from Keswick4★ · 10 travelers3–4 hoursFrom$15 per personSee dates →More attractions in Ambleside