A66 to Stainmore Summit is a defiant road in bad weather
England, europe
21.08 km
443 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure-seekers, let's talk about Stainmore Summit! This mountain pass sits pretty on the border between Cumbria and County Durham, England, clocking in at a cool 443 meters (1,453 feet) above sea level.
You'll be cruising on the A66, a major, totally paved A-road that cuts right across the north of England, linking Middlesbrough to Workington. The pass itself, also known as Stainmore Gap, is a 21.08km (13.1 mile) stretch running from Brough (Cumbria) to Bowes (County Durham), following the path of the old Barnard Castle to Tebay line.
Now, heads up: this Pennines crossing can be seriously tricky. Think snow and gale-force winds! Its high elevation and exposed location make it a real test, often leading to closures for high-sided vehicles. Expect regular disruptions due to incidents and weather – high winds, flooding, and snowfall are common culprits. Winter can be especially wild, with vehicles getting stuck in the snow and trucks occasionally tipping over. But hey, the views are epic!
Where is it?
A66 to Stainmore Summit is a defiant road in bad weather is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.7197, -0.8152
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 21.08 km
- Max Elevation
- 443 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 53.7197, -0.8152
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Passo Muazz?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
is a high mountain pass at an elevation of above sea level, located in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland Where is Passo Muazz? The pass is located in the , in the southern part of the country, in the northern part of How long is the road to Passo Muazz? The road to the summit is mostly near its end. It starts from 1,252m above sea level 13 sharp hairpin turns . Over this distance, the . The average gradient is What to expect on the road to Passo Muazz? Along the way, the road climbs up to , a high mountain lake at an elevation of above sea level. One wall of the dam currently features the world's highest artificial climbing wall . Then the road climbs quite steeply up through very tight hairpins on a and comes into the curvy you’ll probably see open to motorized vehicles. At the end of the tunnel, a . Beyond this point, a short gravel road joins a . The road continues to , a high mountain refuge. A scenic paved road to Wolfgang Pass in the Swiss Alps The road to Heimischgarten in Valais isn’t an easy one Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateFfordd Pen Llech is the steepest road in the UK (37.45%)
🇬🇧 Wales
Yo, adventure seekers! Ever heard of Ffordd Pen Llech? This insane road is nestled in the totally charming medieval castle town of Harlech, North Wales. You'll find it in Gwynedd county, chilling on Tremadog Bay within Snowdonia National Park - picture-perfect Wales at its finest! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a fully paved, single-track road clinging to the side of Harlech Castle (a seriously cool medieval fortress). Prepare for one of the steepest, gnarliest, and most breathtaking climbs you can find in the UK. How steep? At its toughest, it hits a staggering 37.45% gradient! Seriously, it's so intense that vehicles were once banned from driving *up* certain sections! To avoid gridlock chaos, the top half is now a one-way descent. FYI - it briefly held the Guinness World Record for the Steepest Street in the World. The road is short but savage: just 0.2 miles (0.32 km) long, but you'll gain 170 feet (52 meters) in elevation. The average gradient? A leg-burning 17.33%! Cyclists, this climb is not for the faint of heart! If you're feeling less hardcore, there's an alternative route with a "milder" 25% gradient. Trust me, the views are worth the challenge!
easyCol de Peyrefitte
🇫🇷 France
Okay, adventure awaits at Col de Peyrefitte! Perched high in southwestern France, right on the border of Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées, this peak tops out at 1,859m (6,099ft). The road? Well, it's a bit of a mixed bag. You'll find some asphalt, but expect a bit of a gravelly surprise near the top. Usually, there's a barrier for cars, but cyclists can breeze right through. Weather permitting, it's open year-round, though winter storms might shut things down. Trust me, the views are worth it! Starting from the D51D road, it's a relatively short climb – only 3.2km. You'll gain about 119 meters in elevation, making for a gentle average gradient of 3.71%. Get ready for some seriously breathtaking scenery!
hardWhere is Collado Garcimarra?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through northern Spain, right on the border of La Rioja and Burgos, when you stumble upon Collado Garcimarra. This mountain pass sits at a cool 1,237 meters above sea level, making it a seriously scenic spot. Now, I gotta be real with you. This isn't your average smooth-as-butter highway. We're talking about a road that's seen better days. The pavement is, shall we say, "well-loved." Think cracked asphalt, potholes galore, and sections where you're practically off-roading. It's about 8.2 km long, and the road (LR-113) connects Monterrubio de la Demanda in Burgos, a super picturesque little village. Winter here? Snow and ice can be a real issue, from December through March. Oh, and those stunning views? They come with a side of potential frost on the road. It is hazardous during the winter months due to its elevation and precipitation. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? If you're up for a wild, solitary drive through the Sierra de la Demanda, where the silence is broken only by the wind and the occasional bird, then Collado Garcimarra might just be your jam. Just take it slow, watch out for those potholes, and get ready for some seriously stunning views. Trust me, the scenery more than makes up for the bumpy ride.