Get behind the wheels for Mam Tor
England, europe
17.54 km
461 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready to experience Mam Tor, nicknamed the "Shivering Mountain," a mountain pass chilling at 461m (1,512ft) in the High Peak of Derbyshire, England.
This route, known as Mam Tor Road (part of the A625), is entirely paved but be warned: it gets narrow and steep! Due to these conditions, plus a serious 20% gradient, it's off-limits to buses, coaches, and heavier vehicles. As you wind through a cleft, keep your eyes peeled for towering limestone pinnacles. The eastern face is prone to landslips, creating a landscape of unique 'mini-hills' below. These landslips are caused by unstable shale layers, hence the mountain's nickname.
Spanning 17.54km (10.9 miles) from Chapel-en-le-Frith to Hope, this pass isn't just for cars. Cyclists tackle it annually in the Tour of the Peak, where it's known as a leg-buster with a maximum 10% gradient!
Dating back to 1819, the original road was built to bypass the super-steep Winnats Pass. But, thanks to the local geology, the road almost immediately started to sink. For 160 years, it underwent constant repairs, eventually leading to single-lane traffic in 1977. By 1979, the cost of keeping it open became too high, and the Old Mam Tor Road was permanently closed.
Where is it?
Get behind the wheels for Mam Tor is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 54.7096, -2.5708
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17.54 km
- Max Elevation
- 461 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 54.7096, -2.5708
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