Road · United Kingdom
Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside
A mountainous 6 km road cycling route from Ambleside, with 392 m of climbing over Red Screes.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 6.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 392 m
- Riding time
- 27 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Ambleside
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 392 m
- 6 km
Route description
- Ambleside
- Red Screes
Starting from Ambleside at 58 m elevation, the route climbs 5.1 km to Kirkstone Pass at 450 m. This main climb has an average gradient of 7.7% and a maximum of 13.7%, with the steepest 500 m section at 13.5% around 0.9 km. The route is mostly climbing (70%), with some descending (19%) and flat sections (11%).
The road surface is 97% paved with a small 3% section of gravel or unpaved surfaces. The route includes 4.5 km on minor roads and 1.5 km on main roads. There are 1.7 km of main roads without cycle lanes, and 5.4 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more. The longest named road section is "The Struggle" for 3.2 km.
There is no café, shop, or water available after about 0.9 km for the next 5.5 km until the pass. At the start in Ambleside, various amenities including cafés, bike shops, and convenience stores are available. Peaks near the road include Red Screes (778.8 m) at 5.4 km, St Raven's Edge (593 m) at 5.5 km, and Middle Dodd (654 m) at 6.4 km. A notable attraction near the top is Kirk Stone, 61 m off-route at 5.5 km.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Red Screes (5.1 km at 7.7 %).
- Tops out at 450 m, 5.1 km in.
Highlights
- Climb averaging 7.7% gradient
- Kirkstone Pass summit at 450 m
- The Struggle road section 3.2 km
- Red Screes peak at 778.8 m nearby
Along the route
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Screes | 0.1 km | 5.1 km · 391 m · 7.7 % · max 13.7 % | 5.1 km · 391 m · 7.7 % | 450 m |
Red Screes · full ascent, starts at 0.1 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (1.7 km in all) between quieter sections.
- Roads
- 70% minor road · 23% main road · 7% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 5.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- The Struggle (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 97% of the route is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 70% climbing · 19% descending · 11% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.7 km over 5% · 2.6 km over 8% · 2.1 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13.5% at 0.9 km
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 54 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops, 4 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmEsquires Coffee · café · on the route
- 0 kmGhyllside Cycles · bike shop · on the route
- 0.1 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · on the route
- 0.1 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 0.1 kmBoots · pharmacy · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Ambleside Pier 2 (ferry), 1.3 km off route
Worth a stop
- 5.5 km — Kirk Stone (attraction)
Start and access
At the start
- Bikes and repair
- Ghyllside Cycles (10 m)
- Food and coffee
- Esquires Coffee (40 m), Sheila's Cottage (30 m), The Cornish Bakery (90 m)
- Shops
- Tesco Express (40 m)
Know before you go
- 5.5 km with no café, shop or water after 0.9 km
- 1.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 5.4 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
- Steepest 500 m section at 13.5% gradient
