Harthope Moss is a very famous climb in England
England, europe
7.72 km
628 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, fellow adventurers! Let's talk about Harthope Moss, a seriously epic mountain pass chilling at 2,060 feet above sea level in County Durham, England. Word on the street is, it's one of the highest paved roads you'll find in the country!
Tucked away in the northeast, this pass splits Weardale from Teesdale and carves its way through the stunning North Pennines. The road to the top (also known as Chapel Fell) is paved, but don't let that fool you – it's STEEP!
We're talking about a 4.8-mile stretch from the charming village of St John's Chapel (right on the River Wear) to Langdon Beck. Now, you can tackle this beast from either the west or the east, but either way, get ready for a climb!
Coming from St John's Chapel? It's a 2.5-mile ascent with a whopping 1,119 feet of elevation gain! That's an average gradient of 8.3%, but hold on tight because you'll hit a brutal 16% in some spots. If you're starting from Langdon Beck, it’s a slightly longer 2.9-mile climb with 896 feet of elevation gain, averaging 5.3% with ramps up to 11%.
But trust me, the views are worth every ounce of effort! You'll be treated to panoramic vistas of the Pennines. Just a heads up, the landscape is pretty wild and exposed, so expect some serious wind as you make your way up!
Where is it?
Harthope Moss is a very famous climb in England is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.8595, -1.6782
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.72 km
- Max Elevation
- 628 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 53.8595, -1.6782
Related Roads in europe
moderateIs the Haustsjøen Mountain Road Unpaved?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through southern Norway on the Haustsjøen Mountain Road, named after a local lake. The views? Totally epic. Mountains stretching as far as the eye can see! Heads up though – while most of the route is doable in a regular car, there’s this unpaved section stretching eastward for a couple of kilometers that can get a little bumpy. If you want a smoother ride, I'd recommend an SUV. The whole Fylkesveg 686 (FV686) Road is just under 15km, reaching a max elevation of 1,013 meters. As you climb, you'll wind through this gorgeous landscape dotted with cute little mountain huts. It's like something out of a postcard!
hardPuerto del Pinar
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto del Pinar Picture this: you're cruising through the Spanish province of Granada, climbing toward a mountain pass that sits at a pretty serious 1,660 meters (5,446 feet) above sea level. Welcome to Puerto del Pinar. The route up is the A-317, and yeah, it's paved—so that's a win. But don't get too comfortable; this road means business with some genuinely steep sections that hit grades of up to 9.1%. Your brakes will definitely know they're working. The scenery? Classic high-altitude Spanish mountain vibes with dramatic elevation changes that keep things interesting. Just come prepared for those gnarly gradients and you'll be golden.
extremeD219 is a scenic balcony road in France
🇫🇷 France
# Road D219: The Alpine Thrill Ride Want to experience one of Europe's most adrenaline-pumping drives? Welcome to Road D219, a white-knuckle masterpiece carved into the dramatic cliffs of the French Alps. Located east of Grenoble in the Isère department, this 9km stretch connects Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Villard-Notre-Dame (expect about 13 minutes of intense concentration). You'll find yourself nestled among some seriously impressive mountain real estate—think Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes—with the stunning Écrins National Park as your southeastern neighbor. Here's what you're getting into: a fully paved road that hugs the Romanche River while clinging to sheer rock faces. The stats alone are intimidating—10 hairpin turns, 4 unlit tunnels, and drop-offs that'll make your palms sweat. Those tunnels? Pitch black and narrow enough to make you question your life choices. The sections between them aren't much friendlier, with only a low stone wall between you and a seriously long fall. The view though? Absolutely spectacular. This shelf road winds higher and higher, cutting into the mountainside for stretches that feel like you're driving through the mountain itself. It's the kind of road that makes for jaw-dropping photos—if you can keep your eyes on the road long enough to look. Open year-round technically, but winter closures are common thanks to snow. And yes, there are vehicle restrictions (max 15 tons, 7 meters long, 3 meters wide). Bottom line: if narrow mountain roads terrify you, skip it. If they thrill you? This is your Alpine bucket-list moment.
easyFV890, a scenic road along the Barents Sea
🇳🇴 Norway
# County Road 890: Norway's Arctic Adventure Ready for a road trip that'll blow your mind? Head to Finnmark county in northern Norway and discover the Norwegian County Road 890—locals call it the Arctic Road, and honestly, once you drive it, you'll understand why. This 135-kilometer (83-mile) stretch is a completely paved beauty that takes you from Tana on the E6 straight out to the edge of the Barents Sea, finishing up in Berlevåg, one of Finnmark's most charming fishing villages on the northeastern tip of the Varanger Peninsula. It's the kind of drive where you're literally kissing the Arctic waters. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. You'll be treated to magnificent landscapes that feel genuinely remote and untamed. Fair warning though—this is the Arctic, so come prepared. Snow, ice, and wind aren't occasional visitors here; they're basically locals. Bundle up, take your time, and soak in the raw beauty of Norway's Far North. This is the kind of road that stays with you long after you've made it back to civilization.