Lake District Roads

[sider]

Anybody any really outstanding driving roads in the Lake District at all??

Arranging a bit of a trip up in the next few months and want it to be a good 'un!!

[dcb]

sider said:

Anybody any really outstanding driving roads in the Lake District at all??

Arranging a bit of a trip up in the next few months and want it to be a good 'un!!

I recommend avoiding the Lake district at Weekends and anytime
from Easter to September inclusive. It's just too busy.

Apart from that, it's quite good. I've had some "interesting"
trips in the snow between Xmas and New Year.

[EvoBarry]

dcb is quite correct, its too small really

If you must go, try Kirkstone Pass, thats a fun little run.

[Lemoncurd]

I am fond of the dual carriage way section between Keswick and Cockermouth - some nice quick, undulating corners. Got to watch out for them though, they can bite and there have been some bad crashes on that stretch.

Would agree with the other comments that you are best staying away in Summer. Full of caravans and old people driving at 20

[Slacey]

For a real challenge, try the Hardknott Pass. Great fun and generally deserted.

[andmole]

Slacey said:

For a real challenge, try the Hardknott Pass. Great fun and generally deserted.

Try driving over that in an MG Midget with no synchro on 1st gear!! I did, I must be mad.

[snotrag]

I've found the Lake district is most fun in a really small car, I'd love to go up there in a 106 rallye, or a Mini cooper or something.

Theres some really fun, tight and twistys, i remember one really good part running from ambleside area towards Grizedale forest when i went up for the rally in december.

[dcb]

andmole said:

Slacey said:

For a real challenge, try the Hardknott Pass. Great fun and generally deserted.

Try driving over that in an MG Midget with no synchro on 1st gear!! I did, I must be mad.

Try driving over in a bubble car in 1962.

Or the twit I saw in 1975 with a Volvo estate pulling a boat
on a trailer over the pass.

[Bob Falfa]

Lemoncurd said:

I am fond of the dual carriage way section between Keswick and Cockermouth - some nice quick, undulating corners. Got to watch out for them though, they can bite and there have been some bad crashes on that stretch.

A66 Keswick to Cockermouth & Whitehaven is excellent (and don't forget to visit Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth). Going East from Keswick the A66 is fantastic over the mountains. And then try the road south out of Keswick too, heading towards Grassmere and Windermere.

And try the road that runs alongside the western shore of Ullswater.

Apparently the section of the M6 is the "most scenic Motorway in Britain." I know this 'cause, with my brain turning itself off after a week in the Lakes, I bought the little book about the M6 that runs through the Lakes (I'm quite worried that I'll be watching fuel economy next, and looking at caravans as a mode of shelter rather than as something to overtake and shout abuse at).

[8portchris]

Try the A686 Penrith to Alston,great bit of road.
Just watch out for bikers trying to kill themselves.

[ninjaboy]

Slacey said:

For a real challenge, try the Hardknott Pass. Great fun and generally deserted.

Make sure you aint in anything too low though as its like a Tarmac offroad track good views though (i think the mountain near it is used in the three peaks challenge)

[kik1.6se]

Kirkstone pass is one of my favorites. Honister pass is good as well, but the road surface is abit rough. Its pretty much all good anyway.

I some times set out 6:30 from south Manchester, so it still pretty early when I get there, get the roads to my self.

Kirk

[Pigeon]

dcb said:

Or the twit I saw in 1975 with a Volvo estate pulling a boat
on a trailer over the pass.

That was my dad. (It wasn't 1975 though)

[GetCarter]

I've just moved from the Lake District and I'd agree that it's really busy for most of the year (Nightmare school holidays). However, if you are prepared to get out early on a Sunday you'll still find the backroads empty. The North is MUCH quieter (and much prettier).

This is one of my fav drives (close to where I lived) - across the Whinlatter pass. If you are in this area then the roads round Buttermere - across the Honister pass is a great drive at 6 a.m on a Sunday.

www.stevecarter.com/whinlatter_RS6.wmv

Vid is shown at increased speed your honour.

[blueflash]

the A592 travelling south from A66 nr penrith is a great road, best tackled early morning, n beat the traffic takes in Kirkston pass, arrive at Ambleside for breakfast. its a hoot in the scooby - challenging in the cerbera. iv'e scared the wife a few times!!!!! tvr side ways at 80 over a right crest!! "of coarse i'm in control dear!" ....... anybody know how to remove stains!!....mine...ha! ha!!

[AJI]

many many good driver's roads in the Lake District.
Where to start....
Top of the list is A686 Penrith to Hexham (although not technically in the Lake District it has to be mentioned because it is an outstanding driver road with every type of corner possible.

In the Lake District itself is Kikstone Pass, Hardknot Pass, Whinlatter Pass, Honnister Pass... basically all the roads that lead over a mountain, but these are best done when it is out of tourist season.

Another good road is from Keswick down through Windermere and to Newby Bridge.
Another one is from Kendal to Appleby via Tebay.

[esselte]

andmole said:

Slacey said:

For a real challenge, try the Hardknott Pass. Great fun and generally deserted.

Try driving over that in an MG Midget with no synchro on 1st gear!! I did, I must be mad.

Did it in a MkIV Spitfire about 30 years ago.....interesting.

[320cd Sport]

I think the A6 Shap to Kendal or vice versa, mini Nurbergring!

Also the Lyth valley road is good.

I do 35k miles a year on lakes roads and i enjoy it!

[TripleS]

GetCarter said:

I've just moved from the Lake District and I'd agree that it's really busy for most of the year (Nightmare school holidays). However, if you are prepared to get out early on a Sunday you'll still find the backroads empty. The North is MUCH quieter (and much prettier).

This is one of my fav drives (close to where I lived) - across the Whinlatter pass. If you are in this area then the roads round Buttermere - across the Honister pass is a great drive at 6 a.m on a Sunday.

www.stevecarter.com/whinlatter_RS6.wmv

Vid is shown at increased speed your honour.

Gosh, a very difficult road that, Steve. I mean to say, how on earth did you manage without road markings and loads of signs?

BTW, how high was the camera mounted? It looks quite low.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[GetCarter]

bullet cam about 4" off the ground.