Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside

Ambleside, United KingdomRoad

Routed from the map This classic road was traced on OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

6 km
Distance: 392 m
Elevation gain: Easy
Difficulty: Paved
Surface

Download GPX Map

Elevation profile

Total ascent: 392 m
Distance: 6 km

Route overview

Suitable for cyclists comfortable with a short, steep climb of 392 m over 6.4 km.

Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside, 6.4 km with 392 m climbing on minor and main roads in the UK.

Starting from Ambleside at 58 m elevation, the route climbs 5.1 km to Kirkstone Pass at 450 m. This main climb has an average gradient of 7.7% and a maximum of 13.7%, with the steepest 500 m section at 13.5% around 0.9 km. The route is mostly climbing (70%), with some descending (19%) and flat sections (11%). The road surface is 97% paved with a small 3% section of gravel or unpaved surfaces. The route includes 4.5 km on minor roads and 1.5 km on main roads. There are 1.7 km of main roads without cycle lanes, and 5.4 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest named road section is "The Struggle" for 3.2 km. There is no café, shop, or water available after about 0.9 km for the next 5.5 km until the pass. At the start in Ambleside, various amenities including cafés, bike shops, and convenience stores are available. Peaks near the road include Red Screes (778.8 m) at 5.4 km, St Raven's Edge (593 m) at 5.5 km, and Middle Dodd (654 m) at 6.4 km. A notable attraction near the top is Kirk Stone, 61 m off-route at 5.5 km.

Highlights

Climb averaging 7.7% gradient
Kirkstone Pass summit at 450 m
The Struggle road section 3.2 km
Red Screes peak at 778.8 m nearby

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Climbs

Climb	Starts at	Length	Gain	Average	Max	Top
Red Screes	0.1 km	5.1 km	391 m	7.7 %	13.7 %	450 m

High point 450 m at 5.1 km; low point 58 m. Passes beneath Red Screes, St Raven's Edge, Middle Dodd.

Red Screes · starts at 0.1 km

5.1 km at 7.7% · 391 m

< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads: 70% minor road · 23% main road
Main roads: 1.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads: 5.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used: The Struggle (3 km)
Surface: Paved throughout
Gradient: 70% climbing · 19% descending · 11% flat
Steep sections: 3.7 km over 5% · 2.6 km over 8% · 2.1 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13.5% at 0.9 km

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Food, water and shops

0 kmEsquires Coffee · café · on the route
0 kmGhyllside Cycles · bike shop · on the route
0.1 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · on the route
0.1 kmToilets · 30 m off route
0.1 kmBoots · pharmacy · on the route

Need to bail out?

0 km — Ambleside Pier 2 (ferry), 1.3 km off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

5.5 km — Kirk Stone (attraction)

At the start

Esquires Coffee · café · 40 m
Sheila's Cottage · café · 30 m
Ghyllside Cycles · bike shop · 10 m
The Cornish Bakery · bakery · 90 m
Tesco Express · convenience store · 40 m

Practical information

Surface: Paved
Route shape: Point to point
Riding time: 27 min
Best months: Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months

Know before you go

5.5 km with no café, shop or water after 0.9 km
1.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
5.4 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
Steepest 500 m section at 13.5% gradient

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.