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Hardknott Pass – Hardknott Roman Fort - geograph.org.uk - 4077255📷 Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0

Hardknott Pass

Eskdale, United Kingdom

Views

One of England’s steepest roads, with gradients around 30%. Not for caravans or large motorhomes.

Nearest town
Eskdale, United Kingdom
Category
Scenic viewpoints
GPS
54.4030, -3.2080

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.
  • Hardknott and Wrynose passes (England). Size limits for motorhomes and trailers (length 6.5 m). Alternative: Go round via the A595 coast road.

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
Dry-stone walls, lakes and viaducts – by motorhome through the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales – Ambleside buildings (9) - geograph.org.uk - 6228773© Michael Dibb · CC BY-SA 2.0
A591
In-depth road trip guides

Dry-stone walls, lakes and viaducts – by motorhome through the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales

305 km14 stops7 days

Nearby

Wast Water - geograph.org.uk - 4163918© Peter Bond · CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Wast Water

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

Honister Pass

Borrowdale, United Kingdom
Buttermere – The Fish - geograph.org.uk - 3012290© Stephen Darlington · CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Buttermere

Buttermere, United Kingdom

Campsites nearby

  • Wasdale CampsiteCampsite
    7 km from Hardknott Pass
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Great Langdale CampsiteCampsite
    8 km from Hardknott Pass
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Church Stile Farm And Holiday ParkCampsite
    10 km from Hardknott Pass
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowers
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • The Old Post Office CampsiteCampsite
    11 km from Hardknott Pass
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Grizedale Camp SiteCampsite
    16 km from Hardknott Pass
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Bowness on Windermere - Camping and Caravanning Club SiteMotorhome stopover
    19 km from Hardknott Pass
    MotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

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

FAQs

Where is Hardknott Pass?

Hardknott Pass is in Eskdale, United Kingdom, at GPS 54.4030, -3.2080. It is about 14 km from Ravenglass.

Can you camp near Hardknott Pass?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Turner Hall Farm Campsite, about 5 km away; within 25 km there are 113 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Hardknott Pass?

Hardknott Pass is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lake District passes: Kirkstone to Hardknott and Dry-stone walls, lakes and viaducts – by motorhome through the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

What is there to see near Hardknott Pass?

Places worth a stop nearby: Wast Water (7 km), Tarn Hows (11 km), Honister Pass (12 km) and Buttermere (16 km).

When is the best time to visit Hardknott Pass?

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

Part of these destinations

Lake District