1 day blast in the dales/north pennines

[illmonkey]

Off to the lake district soon, staying in Ambleside, but I normally go a day early, get up past all the mad traffic, stay somewhere and get up early the next day to do some scenic driving before getting to the place I've booked.

Followings on from previous advice and experiencing Buttertub pass, I'm game for it again! Last time I was so low on fuel I was bumbling along so slowly and had to refuel and go back to enjoy it a bit more

Anyway, I'd literally lifted the town names on that topic, how does this route look? Is it as simple and bouncing between the towns, or do I need specific roads?

Was going to stay in Settle, so I've got a full day to do this. The route below is 4h30, which is probably enough on those type of roads, but happy to change/open it.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/u7bY2f5CYj9J2CEq9

Edited by illmonkey on Friday 24th November 09:16

[DoctorX]

If you want a bit more of a moorland blast, head north from Middleton in Teesdale to Stanhope. Head west on the A689 to St John’s Chapel then head south to join your original route at Langdon Beck. Cracking roads and nice views.

[soxboy]

Looks good, the route from Settle up to Buttertubs is one we do on a Porsche run. If you are doing it on a weekend there will be lots of bikes (and corresponding number of police) on section from Ribblehead.

Only comment I would make is that the section from the west of the M6/Penrith can be scenic (especially south of Keswick) but it’s not the best as a ‘driver’s road’ if that’s key.

Maybe look at taking first left at roundabout on A66 past the M6 and take the A592 to Ullswater and then over Kirkstone Pass?

[Mick Dastardly]

Coincidentally, im doing Alston and back from a bit south of settle tomorrow, with the top down and a bobble hat on. It’s a fabulous drive, as pacey or as cruisey as you want it to be.

Edited by Mick Dastardly on Friday 24th November 00:41

Edited by Mick Dastardly on Friday 24th November 00:43

[Gren]

DoctorX said:

If you want a bit more of a moorland blast, head north from Middleton in Teesdale to Stanhope. Head west on the A689 to St John’s Chapel then head south to join your original route at Langdon Beck. Cracking roads and nice views.

Was about to say the same thing. Perfect for cycling or driving if the weather is right

Also don't forget to stop off at Hawes for some cheese!

[SAS Tom]

It’s a good route but the hartside you’re thinking of isn’t the one on your map. It’s east of the M6.

[CrutyRammers]

That's a great route, and takes in what are without doubt some of the best roads in the country. Settle to Hawes is brilliant, the North Pennines is brilliant, It's a long drive so take plenty of rest stops. Get petrol at Kirkby Stephen or before as there's nowt else before Alston, except a tiny place in Middleton.
First half is perfect and I wouldn't change a thing. The road from middleton to stanhope is great, but then you have to go up weardale which is a bit of a drag; very slow through lots of little villages. The route shown up to Alston on the B6277 is far superior overall, and usually empty. If you're a collector you can go right at Langdon Beck over into weardale and pass over the highest road in the country, it's only single track though so less good from a pure driving point of view.

Hartside pass is, as above, not where you've shown it - it's between Alston and Penrith on your route. If the clouds are not too low you'll get a great view coming over. It's actually better to drive the other way, west to east, of course you can always turn around at the bottom and go back up.

For the lakeland bit, I'd probably also turn south sooner and go past Ullswater and over the Kirkstone pass as per Soxboy. The route shown is scenic enough but really sloooooow.

[Royal Jelly]

Great route. I do the stretch from Hawes-Settle frequently, and Middleton to Alston is your own private road.

Plenty of overtaking spots along the way, but be aware that the elevated stretch halfway between Ribblesdale Viaduct and Hawes, and the second half of the stretch from Middleton to Alston can get the worst of whatever weather is about.

[illmonkey]

Thanks for all the replies! What I’ve figured out so far…

So, wrong hartside fixed.
Ignoring Kirkstone pass for now, as I'll do some passes from Ambleside 1 day. Also will probably stop in Kewsick for supplies. Suppose I could do Penrith or close and then A592. Will see how it is on the day


CrutyRammers, It's great because you gave me the list last year!
Adding Stanhope, but dropping back onto the B6277 to Alston will see me hit most of it. Or do I need to go to Stanhope and back to take in all of the B6277?

For Horton in Ribblesdale, is it just to drive through? Google take me off the road to some little single lane jobby, figure I just stay on the road.

Updated: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bSbbV3c3ay3V3Dya9

Edited by illmonkey on Friday 24th November 18:28

[DoctorX]

Looks great. Watch out for the sheep over those Durham moors.

[illmonkey]

DoctorX said:

Looks great. Watch out for the sheep over those Durham moors.

Why what they do? Nick ya wheels if you stop?

Thanks for the heads up

[Wacky Racer]

[DoctorX]

illmonkey said:

Why what they do? Nick ya wheels if you stop?

Thanks for the heads up

No fences, can be suicidal.

[MarkJS]

Fantastic roads around there



If you’re in something fairly compact with some poke, the B6160 through Cray & Starbotton towards Grassington is pleasant and usually very quiet.

[Lotobear]

I would say your original route is optimal - Alston to Middleton and then to Brough is an epic leg and you've got Hartside in there which is always best done as a climb. I'd ignore the temptation to do any Lakeland passes TBH

[illmonkey]

Routes locked in, as I sit in a cafe in Hawes! I’ll be doubling back from Stanhope to Middleton to do the full run to Alston.

Not a cloud in the sky, but it was -4 overnight, so having to take it steady.

I’ll be doing the passes in the lakes, I still enjoy them!

[illmonkey]

Thanks to all contributors. 6 hours of driving with a few stops made for an epic driving day! Probably only 100 miles but used a tank of fuel.

Didn’t really get stuck behind anyone, if I did, wasn’t long until I was past. I went to go back up Hartside pass and got stuck behind a very slow car. So I turned back and went back again, so 3 passes west, 2 east. I agree it’s more fun uphill, especially given the water/ice possibility!

[VTECMatt]

I live quite close to Hartside so b road heaven however in the last couple of years Police prescience has increased dramatically so anyone going through Melmedy please do respect the 30 limit, the locals are pushing for more enforcement.

Best time to drive it is early evening.