
The inhumane climb to Dowgang Hush with 17% ramps
England, europe
1.6 km
600 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! Dowgang Hush, sitting pretty at 600m (almost 2,000ft), is a proper lung-buster in Cumbria, North West England. Think of it as one of the UK's loftiest drives!
Winding through the stunning North Pennines, this paved ribbon of road is definitely on the skinny side. Brace yourself for exposure – it's windy practically all year round! Locals know this climb well, and trust me, it's known as a beast.
The ascent kicks off from Nenthead, one of England's highest villages, just off the 689. It's a short but brutal 1.6km (1 mile) grind, but you'll gain 158 meters in elevation. That’s nearly a 10% average gradient, and hold on tight, because it ramps up to a leg-burning 16% in places!
Where is it?
The inhumane climb to Dowgang Hush with 17% ramps is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 53.1784, -2.6581
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 600 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 53.1784, -2.6581
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