Six Lake District passes become dangerous in snow and ice

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 15:57 · Archive

Snow and ice can make six high passes in the Lake District treacherous or impassable due to steep gradients, narrow carriageways and sharp bends.

Six high passes in the Lake District become particularly dangerous during winter, with snow and ice transforming clear lower-level roads into treacherous or impassable routes. The passes are shaped by steep gradients, narrow carriageways and sharp bends that make them difficult to navigate even in normal conditions, and conditions become considerably more hazardous when winter weather strikes.

Hardknott is one of the Lake District's most demanding roads, combining steep gradients with tight hairpin bends and a narrow carriageway. When ice reduces grip, those features can make the pass particularly difficult to negotiate and it can become impassable during severe winter weather. Wrynose is often tackled alongside Hardknott, creating a challenging route through the central Lake District. Its narrow carriageway leaves little room for vehicles to pass in places, while wintry conditions make the journey considerably more difficult.

Honister links Borrowdale with Buttermere, climbing through exposed landscape along the way. Its higher stretches can be affected by snow and ice even when conditions are less severe at lower levels, and the road is susceptible to winter closures. Newlands is a twisting fell road with narrow sections and limited opportunities for motorists to turn around, which becomes particularly important when conditions deteriorate as drivers may have fewer options to change course once they are on the pass.

Kirkstone stands at around 454 metres, making it the highest major road pass in the Lake District. Its height means conditions towards the top can differ markedly from those encountered lower down, and heavy snowfall can make the route impossible to navigate. Drivers are advised to take extra care on all six passes during winter weather conditions.

How it is being reported

• 6 Lake District passes you DON'T want to be driving on when snow and ice strikeA journey through the Lake District can begin on clear roads before conditions change dramatically on the high passes.Cumberland News · 14 Nov, 15:30
• 6 Lake District passes you DON'T want to be driving on when snow and ice strikeA journey through the Lake District can begin on clear roads before conditions change dramatically on the high passes.Westmorland Gazette · 14 Nov, 15:30
• 6 Lake District passes you DON'T want to be driving on when snow and ice strikeA journey through the Lake District can begin on clear roads before conditions change dramatically on the high passes.NW Evening Mail · 14 Nov, 15:30

In this story: Lake District · Hardknott Pass · Wrynose · Honister Pass · Borrowdale · Buttermere · Newlands · Kirkstone

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log