Driving the Hardknott & Wrynose passes, Lake District, UK

After an MTB ride in Eskdale, I decided to drive over the Hardknott and Wrynose passes on the way home, and as there was some life left in the GoPro thought it would be fun to film. It’s raw and wild Lake District beauty at it’s finest.
For an experienced and confident driver there isn’t really a problem but it should not be underestimated as it is well known as “one of Britain’s most outrageous roads”. It’s single track with passing places and has very steep hairpin bends. The strategy for climbing is to be aware of the passing places and use them to avoid meeting any descending vehicles. Ascending the 1 in 3 hairpins should be tackled aggressively in bottom gear with no hesitation. Descending: again the steepest sections should be tackled in bottom gear to maximise engine braking and take a long view by stopping in any passing places to allow ascending vehicles an uninterrupted run. It was a quiet time of season and day and I came across only a few other cars at the time. In summer it’s probably bedlam and in wintry icy conditions it’s somewhere to be avoided as there are no safety barriers. The Wrynose pass is easier but unless you’re including Dunnerdale in your journey the chances are you’d be going over the Hardknott as well.
www.bbc.com/tr...
www.visitcumbr...

[@iainhodgen]

Love driving this road...exciting!

[@ktm660smc6]

Wow I didn't think you would make it through the gap in front of the pickup ! Must be the distortion of the wide angle lens.

[@iainhodgen]

Last time did it in the summer and it was so busy, there was a nice Mercedes hanging over the edge where they overcooked it 😀

[@juleskayak]

Can see that happening easily then it'll be chaos

[@michaellecaplain3377]

Those are bucket list roads for me - would love take my MGF up there!