Top 19 Mountain Passes around Above Derwent

For a less severe route compared to other Lake District passes, Whinlatter Pass Climb from Braithwaite is a good option. It offers a steady ascent on forest-lined roads, leading to the Whinlatter Forest Park at its summit. The pass is known for its challenging yet manageable gradient, making it more accessible for a wider range of visitors.

Whinlatter Pass is home to Whinlatter Forest Park, often called England's only true mountain forest. Here you can find world-class mountain biking trails, orienteering courses, and various walking trails. There are fourteen miles of roads suitable for walkers and cyclists, and facilities like Go Ape (a high ropes course) and Cyclewise (bike hire) are also available. For more mountain biking options, check out the MTB Trails around Above Derwent guide.

Yes, Whinlatter Pass Climb from Braithwaite and its associated Whinlatter Forest Park are very family-friendly. The forest offers numerous walking trails, a visitor centre with a gift shop and restaurant, and activities like Go Ape. It's also a protected habitat for red squirrels and offers opportunities to spot ospreys.

The region features several challenging passes. Honister Pass Climb from Gatesgarth is known for being an imposing and consistently steep climb, with a single-track road and particularly challenging sections near the top. Newlands Pass also features gradients of 1 in 4 on both sides, making it a steep and winding drive.

Both Whinlatter Pass and Newlands Pass offer spectacular views. Whinlatter Pass provides panoramic views across the fells and forests of Northern Lakeland, including Bassenthwaite Lake and the Skiddaw range. Newlands Pass offers stunning scenic drives with breathtaking views of hills, waterfalls, and panoramic mountain vistas, recognized as one of the most scenic roads in the National Park.

Yes, near the top of Newlands Pass, you'll find a car park providing easy access to the beautiful Moss Force Waterfall. It's a popular spot for visitors to enjoy the natural scenery.

Sty Head Stretcher Box marks the apex of an ancient and wild trade route, the Styhead Pass, situated in the mountainous heart of the Lake District. It serves as a meeting point for multiple paths, separating Great Gable and the Scafell massif. Its position makes it a crucial navigational aid and the location of a mountain rescue stretcher box, highlighting the seriousness of the surrounding mountain terrain.

The area offers diverse cycling opportunities. Whinlatter Forest Park has world-class mountain biking trails and roads suitable for cyclists. For those seeking challenging road climbs, passes like Whinlatter Pass Climb from Braithwaite and Honister Pass are popular. You can find more cycling routes in the MTB Trails around Above Derwent and Gravel biking around Above Derwent guides.

At the summit of Whinlatter Pass, within the Whinlatter Forest Park, there is a visitor centre that includes a gift shop and a restaurant, perfect for a coffee and cake after your activities.

Mickledore Pass is a magical place for mountain lovers, serving as the pass between Scafell Pike and Scafell. It's an exciting ridge of rock backed by Scafell's muscular East Buttress, providing access to various routes onto England's two highest summits. While hiking routes to Scafell Pike from here are relatively straightforward, accessing Scafell involves more challenging options like Lord's Rake or Foxes Rake, and even a 'moderate' climb called Broad Stand for rock climbers.

Newlands Pass is often included in circular scenic drives from Keswick that also encompass other notable locations like Honister Pass, Loweswater, Buttermere, and Crummock Water, offering a comprehensive tour of the area's stunning landscapes.

Newlands Pass is known for being a challenging drive due to its steep and winding nature, with narrow sections and passing places. It features gradients of 1 in 4 on both sides. Heavy vehicles are advised against using the pass due to these challenging conditions, but it offers an exhilarating experience for drivers seeking dramatic scenery.

Yes, the area around Above Derwent offers extensive hiking opportunities. Newlands Pass forms part of the popular Newlands Horseshoe, an epic mountain walk. Many passes, including Sty Head, serve as junctions for multiple hiking paths. For more detailed hiking routes, refer to the Hiking around Above Derwent guide.