Kirkstone Pass
A592 · Windermere → Patterdale (Ullswater) · England
- Length
- 12 miles
- Drive time
- 25 min
- Type
- Mountain pass
- Region
- England
Before you go: Closes in heavy snow; 'The Struggle' side is 25%
The Lake District's highest pass open to traffic (454 m): from Windermere up to the 500-year-old Kirkstone Pass Inn, then a glorious descent with Ullswater filling the windscreen all the way to Patterdale.
Highlights of the Kirkstone Pass
- Kirkstone Pass Inn
- Ullswater descent
- 'The Struggle' from Ambleside for the brave
Where to stop
- Kirkstone Pass Inn — One of England's highest pubs, right at the summit — food and warmth
- Glenridding (Ullswater) — Lakeside cafés and steamer pier at the north end
Drive the Kirkstone Pass
Open Kirkstone Pass on the map → ⬇ Download GPX
GPX works with Garmin, TomTom, Beeline and most bike sat-navs. Free, no sign-up — these are indicative waypoints, so follow the road signs, not the arrow.
Plot it, add it to a club run with a meeting point and pit stops, then share the whole trip as one link. Free, no account, works offline.
Route research: Venture Bound
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