Snake Pass is one of the best drives in the UK
England, europe
42 km
512 m
hard
Year-round
Want a thrilling drive that connects Manchester and Sheffield? Buckle up for Snake Pass! Officially the A57 (but everyone calls it Snake Road), this 42km (26-mile) route cuts right through the Pennines, hitting a peak elevation of 512m (1,679ft).
Built way back in 1821, this pass is no joke. Think hairpin bends, blind summits, and enough twists to make your head spin. The road climbs steeply, hitting a max gradient of 10.2% – those ramps are intense! The ascent from Glossop alone covers 7km with an average gradient of 5.2%.
Snake Pass is notorious for closures, especially in winter. Icy conditions and heavy snowfall mean it's often the first road in Britain to shut down. Subsidence after heavy rain can also cause longer-term closures. On average, it's closed for around 70 days each year.
But if you catch it on a good day, the views are absolutely stunning. The scenery is exceptional, particularly as you descend towards Glossop, where you can see all the way to Manchester on a clear day. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road – this is one drive that demands your full attention!
Where is it?
Snake Pass is one of the best drives in the UK is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 54.4669, -2.0441
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 42 km
- Max Elevation
- 512 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 54.4669, -2.0441
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