A brutally steep (28%) climb to Winnats Pass in England
England, europe
9.33 km
416 m
hard
Year-round
Winnats Pass! Picture this: you're cruising through the High Peak district of Derbyshire, England, and suddenly you're surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. This mountain pass climbs to 416m (1,364ft), and believe me, you feel every meter!
Located just west of Castleton, at the edge of the Hope Valley, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The name "Winnats Pass" comes from the swirling winds ("wind gates") that whip through the natural amphitheater.
The road is paved, but don't let that fool you. It's only 9.33km (5.8 miles) from Hope to Sparrowpit, but the average grade is over 10%, with sections hitting a whopping 28%! It’s a favorite for motorcyclists exploring the Peak District.
Prepare for a challenging drive. The road is narrow, steep, and can get a bit crowded. Watch out for rock slides! Because of the slope and width, buses, coaches, and vehicles over 7.5 tons aren’t allowed.
Open year-round (weather permitting, of course – winter can be tricky!), Winnats Pass isn't just a scenic drive. Local legend says a young couple was murdered here in the 1750s. Spooky!
The climb is intense, with a 1.6km (0.99 miles) stretch gaining 188 meters at an average gradient of 11.7%. It was tough enough to be a regular feature in the Tour of the Peak cycle race.
Where is it?
A brutally steep (28%) climb to Winnats Pass in England is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.8965, -2.2238
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 9.33 km
- Max Elevation
- 416 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 53.8965, -2.2238
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