Road · United Kingdom
Hardknott Pass from Eskdale
A mountainous 7 km road cycling route from Eskdale through Boot and Dalegarth, with 208 m of climbing over Border End.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 7.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 208 m
- Riding time
- 31 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Eskdale
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 208 m
- 7 km
Route description
- Eskdale
- Boot
- Dalegarth
- Border End
This 7.3 km route starts near Eskdale and heads through Boot at 1.8 km and Dalegarth at 2.1 km. The elevation begins around 55 m at Dalegarth and ends at 263 m beneath Border End, covering 208 m of climbing. The profile includes a steep climb of 1.9 km starting at 5.4 km averaging 9.5% gradient with sections up to 16% and a steepest half-kilometre at 15.6% around 6 km.
The surface is mixed, with 72% paved and 26% gravel or unpaved, mostly on minor roads for 5.2 km and cycle paths for 1.9 km. Of the ride, 5.1 km are on roads with a speed limit over 80 km/h. There is a 3.7 km stretch with no cafes, shops or water between 3.6 km and the finish.
Along the route, a pub and toilets lie just off route at Dalegarth (2.1 km). Bailout is possible there with a station close by. Notable places include Nab Gill Iron Mine at 1.7 km and Hardknott Roman Fort near 6.7 km. The route descends mainly in the first 2 km before the steep climb to the finish near Border End peak.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Border End (1.9 km at 9.5 %).
Highlights
- Hardknott Pass climb with gradients up to 16%
- Hardknott Roman Fort archaeological site at 6.7 km
- Nab Gill Iron Mine viewpoint at 1.7 km
- Ride ends beneath Border End 522 m peak
Along the route
Places passed
On the road
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border End | 5.4 km | 1.9 km · 179 m · 9.5 % · max 16 % | 1.9 km · 179 m · 9.5 % | 263 m |
Border End · full ascent, starts at 5.4 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Know before you go
- 3.7 km without cafe, shop or water from 3.6 km
- 5.1 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits
- 26% gravel or unpaved surface
- Steep climb averaging 9.5% with sections up to 16%
