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Kirkstone Pass Inn (1481 ft asl) - geograph.org.uk - 2448891📷 Keith Salvesen, CC BY-SA 2.0

Kirkstone Pass

Ambleside, United Kingdom

Views

At 454 m the highest Lake District pass open to traffic, between Windermere and Ullswater. Motorhomes should come up the A592 rather than the very steep lane from Ambleside.

Nearest town
Ambleside, United Kingdom
Category
Scenic viewpoints
GPS
54.4637, -2.9285

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.

Featured in these trip guides

Lake District passes: Kirkstone to Hardknott – Kirkstone Pass Inn (1481 ft asl) - geograph.org.uk - 2448891© Keith Salvesen · CC BY-SA 2.0
A591
Mountains & lakes

Lake District passes: Kirkstone to Hardknott

109 km9 stops4 days

Nearby

On the Cumbria Way near to Tarn Hows - geograph.org.uk - 6176708© Peter S · CC BY-SA 2.0
Nature

Tarn Hows

Coniston, United Kingdom
Tree silhouettes at the car park at Aira Force - geograph.org.uk - 5645317© Peter S · CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Aira Force

Watermillock, United Kingdom
Honister Pass – fault block mountain in nature photographyPhoto by Kirsten Drew on Unsplash
Views

Honister Pass

Borrowdale, United Kingdom
Hardknott Pass – Hardknott Roman Fort - geograph.org.uk - 4077255© Peter Trimming · CC BY-SA 2.0
Views

Hardknott Pass

Eskdale, United Kingdom

Campsites nearby

  • Sykeside Camping SiteCampsite
    4 km from Kirkstone Pass
    TentsCaravansToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Great Langdale CampsiteCampsite
    11 km from Kirkstone Pass
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Bowness on Windermere - Camping and Caravanning Club SiteMotorhome stopover
    12 km from Kirkstone Pass
    MotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Seathwaite Farm CampsiteCampsite
    17 km from Kirkstone Pass
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterShowers
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Grizedale Camp SiteCampsite
    17 km from Kirkstone Pass
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Wasdale CampsiteCampsite
    22 km from Kirkstone Pass
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in United Kingdom · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Kirkstone Pass?

Kirkstone Pass is in Ambleside, United Kingdom, at GPS 54.4637, -2.9285. It is about 9 km from Windermere.

Can you camp near Kirkstone Pass?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Sykeside Camping Site, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 148 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Kirkstone Pass?

Kirkstone Pass is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake District passes: Kirkstone to Hardknott.

What is there to see near Kirkstone Pass?

Places worth a stop nearby: Tarn Hows (10 km), Aira Force (12 km), Honister Pass (18 km) and Hardknott Pass (19 km).

When is the best time to visit Kirkstone Pass?

Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Part of these destinations

Lake District