Kirkstone Pass
Kirkstone Pass
4.5
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4.5
111 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
32
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
WonderfulWorld59
Lee's Summit, MO436 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Don’t Miss! We loved the Amazing Views of the Soaring Hilltops Above and Valleys Below. The interplay of sunshine and clouds on the landscape is mesmerizing. We were traveling by car and saw plenty of cyclists and hikers. We are not fans of crowded parks… but even in late July there was plenty of awesome beauty for everyone. The road is narrow but other vehicles were also traveling slowly. Numerous pullovers kept everyone moving along and were perfect for taking photos.
Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick_The_Builder
North Wales - UK276 contributions
Jun 2021
If you are restricted to your car, this is about as good as views of the lakes get. Its a great place to start walks, half way up the mountains before you start. Family can end up in the valley & dad can enjoy the slog back up to collect the car. If only the pub had been open the day I slogged up I would have enjoyed it more.
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjm2107
Alexandria, UK269 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
During our stay in the Lake District we navigated the Wrynose Pass, Hardknott Pass and the Kirkstone Pass.
If you are looking for great views without the super-steep gradients of the Hardknott Pass, then the Kirkstone Pass is for you. The roads are not bad quality, but can be a bit narrow in places, bit definitely worth ot for the lovely views.
Would suggest that you consider as an alternative route from Penrith to Ambleside or Windermere.
If you are looking for great views without the super-steep gradients of the Hardknott Pass, then the Kirkstone Pass is for you. The roads are not bad quality, but can be a bit narrow in places, bit definitely worth ot for the lovely views.
Would suggest that you consider as an alternative route from Penrith to Ambleside or Windermere.
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ankit2385
Bengaluru, India640 contributions
Aug 2022
We have visited Kirkstone pass on our way to Lake district. Its a great drive and views are amazing. Its a must visit route and there is a Car park once you reach at the top and restaurant serving hot drinks & food.
Written 14 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pesue1
Nuneaton, UK641 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
We drove from patterdale to ambleside ,the views are stunning with several pull ins to view from. At times it is quite narrow and has the occasional sheep on the road. The road rises to about 1,500 ft. At the top is the famous kirkstone pass inn although when we passed by it was closed. It can soon become weatherbound and in cloud so be careful,
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen B
Preston, UK939 contributions
Aug 2020
Fantastic views and canny road. Started up the pass at Ambleside, parked in the Kirkstone pass pub ca park and admired the view before continuing. Watch out for escaped sheep on the road.
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter B
Cambridge, UK44 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
Wanted to try a lakeland pass while in the Lakes last week. I picked this one to get home from Grasmere to near Penrith on the interesting route via Ullswater.
Far harder than I could ever have imagined and a serious test of bike and rider. Starts steep immediately out of Ambleside and doesn't let up for over 2km. Some relief on the flatter approach to the end. But the brutal final slope is always in view.
Check your brakes before starting as the descent will be terrifying without strong brakes on the 15-20% sections.
The road surface is pretty good and there's not much traffic.
Far harder than I could ever have imagined and a serious test of bike and rider. Starts steep immediately out of Ambleside and doesn't let up for over 2km. Some relief on the flatter approach to the end. But the brutal final slope is always in view.
Check your brakes before starting as the descent will be terrifying without strong brakes on the 15-20% sections.
The road surface is pretty good and there's not much traffic.
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HevCawley
6 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Loved this drive. We used this pass when we drove from Glenridding to Windermere. I had been concerned that it might feel treacherous but it was absolutely fine (for even a nervous driver) … with amazing views.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Written 18 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MillyMollyF
Downham Market, UK109 contributions
May 2022
Fantastic views and good road.
It was wet but the views are still stunning and the roads are good.
We had an amazing drive through the pass and the clouds. Lots of sheep in fields and roads. Amazing waterfalls through the rocks and just a good thing to do.
It was wet but the views are still stunning and the roads are good.
We had an amazing drive through the pass and the clouds. Lots of sheep in fields and roads. Amazing waterfalls through the rocks and just a good thing to do.
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally
Kent, UK232 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This is a must - the scenery is jaw dropping. We stumbled across this pass quite by accident as the satnav took us along this route and so glad it did. Managed to pull over for photos and then the next day we took the Hardknott pass too (thanks to satnav) both absolutely stunning. This one has the easier roads to travel along but both leave you feeling somewhat mesmerised by the shear scale of your surroundings
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am thinking of driving the kirkstome pass tomorrow morning. I see people mention the waterfalls, but are the places to stop if you want to get out of the car and photograph them?
Written 11 September 2019
Yes. Get your walking gear on and get your map and compass out (parking areas are usually marked on the map with a blue "P").
Written 13 September 2019
Hi, has anyone attempted the Kirkstone Pass in a classic car with little more than 70bhp. Would love to know how they got on before attempting it!
Written 25 June 2019
The road from Ambleside to the Pass is called “The Struggle” with good reason! Take care!
Written 30 June 2021
Is it accessible in a 7.5 metre camper van?
Written 11 August 2018
This drive is very tricky and although i am sure it would be accessible on a clear day,if you were to meet anything coming the other way,then things may become a little tricky.i would ask this on the lake district forums just to get a more expert opinion.
Written 12 August 2018
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