TOP ROADS: Cumbria calling

The Lakes are one of the UK’s top destinations for bikers, for good reason! Here are three circular routes which take in its most iconic passes.

William Wordsworth described the Lake District as ‘a sort of national property, in which every man has a right and an interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy’. Beyond Wordsworth’s host of golden daffodils lay miles of stunning countryside with towering fells and expansive valleys – and there’re masses of mega roads to enjoy, too.

Kirkstone Pass

This route begins in Ambleside. On the A591 north of the town and almost opposite the unique Bridge House, turn right up Kirkstone Road. You are soon past the outlying cottages of the town and into the countryside as the road winds ever upwards. Turn left on to the A592 and you’re on Kirkstone Pass, the Lake District’s highest pass open to motor traffic, connecting Ambleside with Patterdale and the Ullswater Valley.

Continue northbound, passing striking fells to your left and right, by Brothers Water, to eventually arrive in Patterdale, around the southern edge of Ullswater and on to Glenridding, the starting point for many hikers heading up Helvellyn. Now continue along the western edge of Ullswater, picking up the A5091 towards Dockray, Matterdale End and Troutbeck. Here we join the A66 for a brief sprint to Threlkeld, after which we pick up the B5322 southwards. Just past Legburnthwaite at the head of Thirlmere we join the A591, which skirts the eastern edge of the reservoir. From Grasmere it’s back along the A591 to Ambleside, sweeping past the edge of Rydal Water to Bridge House, where we began our day trip.

Honister Pass

This is a fantastic run, taking in some of Lakeland’s most amazing scenery. From Keswick, head south on the B5289 along the eastern edge of Derwent Water. Once past the southern edge of the lake, the route leads you into the Borrowdale Valley alongside the River Derwent to your right. Passing through Rosthwaite, the road swings right towards the village of Seatoller and on to Honister Pass where you will pass under the shadow of imposing Dale Head to the north. You are now on Honister Pass en route to Buttermere.

Passing Gatesgarth Farm at the southern tip of Buttermere, the road runs alongside the lake to its northern tip where the village lies. Carry on northbound along the B5289 past Crummock Water. The road now runs through Lorton Vale, eventually crossing the A66 and into Cockermouth. You can take the Whinlatter Pass, B5292, by swinging a right in Lorton before you get to the A66. This will take you to Braithwaite, and from there it’s just a quick hop on the A66 to Keswick.

Hardknott and Wrynose Passes

We begin in the Western lakes at Wasdale Head. Head along the lakeside road to Cinderdale Bridge by Nether Wasdale, heading south to Santon Bridge. Here we turn left, heading east. Follow the road through Beckfoot, past Dalegarth Station and over Whahouse Bridge. Passing a parking area on your right, you then ride over a cattle grid and on to Hardknott Pass. Further up the road and to your left lies the Roman fort of Hardknott Castle. It won’t be long before you are faced with some hellishly steep, tight zigzags, and caution is recommended here, before you arrive in Cockley Beck.At the junction, follow the road left on to Wrynose Pass, another steep, single-track road. Continue until you reach the A593, turning right. Pass through Coniston and continue south towards Torver. Stay on the A593 to High Cross before turning right on the A595. Passing Duddon Bridge, follow this road through Hillthwaite until you reach the junction at Whicham where you turn right and head north. The road leads through Bootle and Waberthwaite, Holmrook, Gosforth and Calder Bridge. Turn off at Gosford for Wellington and Nether Wasdale, and then it’s a gentle ride through Woodhow and back to Wast Water.