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
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