Cyclists.com

Hardknott Pass from Eskdale

Eskdale, 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.

7 km
Distance
208 m
Elevation gain
Easy
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap

Elevation profile

Total ascent
208 m
Distance
7 km
Elevation (m)0501001502002503000 km2 km4 km6 km7 kmHighest point264 m at 7.3 kmStart0 kmFinish7 km

Route overview

Suitable for cyclists prepared for a short but steep 208 m climb over 7.3 km with some unpaved sections.

7.3 km ride from Eskdale climbing Hardknott Pass to 263 m under Border End in the UK.

This 7.3 km route starts near Eskdale and heads through Boot at 1.8 km and Dalegarth at 2.1 km. The elevation begins around 55 m at Dalegarth and ends at 263 m beneath Border End, covering 208 m of climbing. The profile includes a steep climb of 1.9 km starting at 5.4 km averaging 9.5% gradient with sections up to 16% and a steepest half-kilometre at 15.6% around 6 km. The surface is mixed, with 72% paved and 26% gravel or unpaved, mostly on minor roads for 5.2 km and cycle paths for 1.9 km. Of the ride, 5.1 km are on roads with a speed limit over 80 km/h. There is a 3.7 km stretch with no cafes, shops or water between 3.6 km and the finish. Along the route, a pub and toilets lie just off route at Dalegarth (2.1 km). Bailout is possible there with a station close by. Notable places include Nab Gill Iron Mine at 1.7 km and Hardknott Roman Fort near 6.7 km. The route descends mainly in the first 2 km before the steep climb to the finish near Border End peak.

Highlights

  • Hardknott Pass climb with gradients up to 16%
  • Hardknott Roman Fort archaeological site at 6.7 km
  • Nab Gill Iron Mine viewpoint at 1.7 km
  • Ride ends beneath Border End 522 m peak

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Dalegarth 2.1 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
Border End5.4 km1.9 km179 m9.5 %16 %263 m

High point 263 m at 7.3 km; low point 55 m. Passes beneath Brats Hill, Great Barrow, Blea Tarn Hill.

Border End · starts at 5.4 km

1.9 km at 9.5% · 179 m
100150200250ELEVATION (M)8.9%0 km11.8 kmDISTANCE (KM)Border End · 263 mSTEEPEST 10.6%
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
72% minor road · 26% path
Fast roads
5.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Surface
72% paved · 26% gravel or unpaved
Gradient
36% climbing · 28% descending · 36% flat
Steep sections
1.5 km over 5% · 1.2 km over 8% · 0.9 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 15.6% at 6 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

  1. 2.1 kmBrook House Inn · pub · on the route
  2. 2.1 kmToilets · on the route

Need to bail out?

  • 2.1 km — Dalegarth (station), 260 m off route

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

Worth a stop

  • 1.7 km — Nab Gill Iron Mine (viewpoint)
  • 6.7 km — Hardknott Roman Fort (archaeological site)

Stay after this ride

  • Bird How Holiday Cottage · guest house · 1.9 km from the finish
  • Wha House Farm · guest house · 2.4 km from the finish
  • YHA Eskdale · hostel · 2.9 km from the finish
  • Woolpack Inn · guest house · 3.4 km from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
31 min

Know before you go

  • 3.7 km without cafe, shop or water from 3.6 km
  • 5.1 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits
  • 26% gravel or unpaved surface
  • Steep climb averaging 9.5% with sections up to 16%

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