Cat and Fiddle Road is the British Widow Maker
England, europe
16.41 km
515 m
extreme
Year-round
Cruising between Macclesfield and Buxton, right in the heart of Cheshire, you'll find the legendary Cat and Fiddle Road.
This stretch of the A54 and A537 spans about 10 glorious miles, winding its way from Macclesfield in Cheshire to Buxton in Derbyshire. Picture this: smooth, paved roads climbing high into the Peak District National Park.
Built way back in 1823, this route gets its name from the famous pub perched at the summit - supposedly the second-highest in England!
Get ready for some elevation, hitting a peak of 1,689 feet above sea level! Those climbs can be steep, with gradients reaching up to 8% in some spots. Expect tight bends, dramatic drop-offs, and charming dry-stone walls lining almost the entire way. While tourists flock here, so do heavy trucks and fast bikes. Winter can be especially tricky, with snow and ice common.
It’s got a reputation, alright. This road has seen its share of incidents, earning itself a pretty serious nickname. The speed limit is 50mph, and cameras are in place to keep things in check, especially among motorcyclists.
Allow about 20-30 minutes to soak it all in. This stunning (but notorious) drive serves up incredible views across the Greater Manchester area, the Peak District, and the Cheshire Plain, all while navigating a ton of twists and turns. Fun fact: it even made a cameo in the Bond flick, "The Living Daylights"!
Where is it?
Cat and Fiddle Road is the British Widow Maker is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 52.9717, -2.6819
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16.41 km
- Max Elevation
- 515 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 52.9717, -2.6819
Related Roads in europe
hardThe inhumane climb to Kitzbuhler Horn with 22% ramps
🇦🇹 Austria
# Kitzbüheler Horn: Austria's Most Brutal Alpine Climb Want to tackle one of Europe's most punishing mountain roads? The Kitzbüheler Horn in Austria's Tyrol region will definitely test your limits. This beast of a climb sits at 1,967m (6,453ft) and has earned serious respect in the cycling world for good reason. Starting from the charming alpine town of Kitzbühel, you're looking at a 10.7 km (6.64 miles) journey that climbs a whopping 1,218 meters. The average gradient hovers around 11.38%, but don't let that fool you—the road hits a jaw-dropping 22.4% gradient in places, with the final kilometer above Goinger Alm pushing a brutal 22.3%. The entire route is paved, but don't expect smooth sailing. It's narrow and winds through countless switchback corners, passing a few alpine huts along the way. Here's where it gets spicy: the last 2.2 km is privately owned by Austria's national broadcasting company, and it's off-limits to regular cars. This restricted section is honestly the toughest part of the whole drive—narrow, steep, and rough around the edges. Fair warning: this road is typically snowbound from late October through May, so you'll need to time your visit carefully. But when conditions are right, the panoramic views are absolutely spectacular. At the summit, you'll find a restaurant and chapel to celebrate your conquest, plus a 102-meter TV tower that's impossible to miss. Seriously, this is Austrian cycling legend territory.
moderateHow to drive the iconic road to Oclini Pass in the Dolomites?
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo di Oclini (also called Oclini – Jochgrimm) is a stunning high-altitude mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,995m (6,545ft) in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of northern Italy. Tucked away in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano–South Tyrol within Val di Fiemme, this pass has become a proper mountain hub with a ski resort, hotels, and a spacious parking lot right at the summit. The Via Lavaze winds through the pass for 9.8 km (6.08 miles), stretching east-west from Passo di Lavaze to Stadt. The journey kicks off on smooth, fully paved road that takes you up to the summit, but fair warning—once you crest the top and head down the western side, it transitions to gravel. The entire route has a bit of a bumpy character to it, with moderate traffic and some seriously steep sections that'll test your nerves at gradients up to 9%. The ascent from Passo di Lavaze is relatively short at just 3.6 km (2.23 miles), climbing 187 meters with an average gradient of around 5%. Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, this pass stays open year-round thanks to its relatively mild climate, though you might spot brief winter closures when the snow rolls in.
hardWhere Are Gorges de la Vésubie?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southeastern France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, on an 11-mile (18 km) stretch of pure driving bliss between Lantosque and Saint-Martin-du-Var. This isn't just any road; it's carved right into the Gorges de la Vésubie, a canyon sculpted by the Vésubie River itself, a tributary that eventually feeds into the Mediterranean Sea near Nice. The road is paved, but hold on tight because you're hugging towering rock walls and the Vésubie River, with steep cliffs rising dramatically above. There are even some overhanging sections that will give you that extra thrill! The views? Absolutely spectacular. Just be mindful, because this gem is close to some pretty popular spots, so you might find some tourist traffic. Time your adventure right, and you'll have an unforgettable drive.
moderateWhere is County Road 551 (Fv551)?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along County Road 551 (Fv551) on the southeastern edge of Hardangerfjorden, just north of Odda. Seriously, this is prime Norway scenery, folks! You're right in Folgefonna National Park, so prepare for breathtaking views. Now, this isn't a quick jaunt – we're talking a decent stretch from a village near the southern shore of the Sørfjorden to another one tucked away at the end of the Maurangsfjorden. And guess what? You're in for a loooong tunnel. A whopping 11,150 meters of underground adventure! Just a heads up, though: this tunnel is strictly for cars and motorcycles – no walkers or cyclists allowed.