Hardknott and Wrynose: England's Joint-Steepest Road
North West, England
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One in Three
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300
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1 day
Hardknott and Wrynose: England's Joint-Steepest Road
300 XP
The single-track road from Eskdale over Hardknott and Wrynose to Little Langdale is the most direct route across the Lake District and shares the title of steepest road in England with Rosedale Chimney Bank, at one in three. On the shoulder of Hardknott the Romans built Mediobogdum, on the road between Galava at Ambleside and Glannoventa at Ravenglass; its walls stand above the valley, with a bath house below that has a rare circular sweating room, and a levelled parade ground above that is reckoned the finest surviving in England.
Required Activities
1
of 4
Cross Hardknott Pass at its one-in-three gradient by car or bike, not in a motorhome; leave the van in Eskdale or Little Langdale
2
of 4
Walk round Mediobogdum and find its parade ground and bath house
3
of 4
Carry on over Wrynose Pass to the Three Shire Stone
4
of 4
Stop at the top for the view down Eskdale to the sea
Cross Hardknott Pass at its one-in-three gradient by car or bike, not in a motorhome; leave the van in Eskdale or Little Langdale
Walk round Mediobogdum and find its parade ground and bath house
Carry on over Wrynose Pass to the Three Shire Stone
Stop at the top for the view down Eskdale to the sea
Before you go
Hardknott and Wrynose are single track with hairpins and gradients of one in three, and are unsuitable for motorhomes, caravans and large vehicles. They are often closed by ice or snow in winter.
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XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
300 XP
Potential total
300 XP
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