I wish I had a dash cam when I drove this route! I've just driven these two passes for the first time- twice, in fact, since we turned around and went back the way we came after reaching the Roman fort. It was an amazing experience but definitely not one for an inexperienced driver, or a car with a low profile or a long wheelbase. I drove it in a four wheel compact SUV which coped with it perfectly- although I did have to stop on the way back for the brakes to cool off! Traversing it in the Eskdale to Langdale direction is definitely harder. You face the steepest hairpin and incline going up rather than down, and my car came close to stalling. If you feel you have the level of experience for it, it's an absolutely stunning route and well worth it. You can also take the mountain goat bus instead if you prefer.
thanyou so much for your comments. Its great to be able to share these experiences and loved reading about your drive through this area. We love the UK and hoping to be back there in May 2024. In the meantime we will be in the US on 6/8/23 starting to drive through many of there National Parks....we can't wait. Thanks again for responding. We used an Osmo Action 2 camera and have since purchased an Osmo Action 3 which is better than the GoPro's. Go that way if you can....better than dash cams which are made for another purpose......and thanks once more time.....Greg
@@nicholasmaycock267 I was in first the entire time as well! Being in first is not enough for this incredibly challenging road- at least, with the gears in my car. Most people doing this incredibly steep and twisted road report burnt brakepad smell by the end. It's strongly recommended to take a break to let them cool off if possible.
Thanks for your comments. I purchased my camera for this trip and captured some great memories. Consider doing the Scottish NW500. Another great drive. Hoping to return from Australia in 2024. For some reason my computer won’t allow me to view comments but did on this occasion and able to respond.
I love the way that Wrynose Pass, the Duddon Valley and Hardknott Pass have their start and end points indicated by cattle grids. Hearing that rattle and rumble as you cross the cattle grids, warns you of what's to come, (or allows you a sigh of relief, depending on which way you're travelling and whereabouts you are!)
You get a great feeling of wilderness Dave out there on the pass. We experience lots of wilderness in Australia Dave with only 27 million people in a country larger than all of Europe. Love all the "green" too.
A lovely video of the trials of crossing Wrynose and Hardknott passes. Shame you didn't consider having an audio track of your (real time) reactions to all those climbs & drops, bends & switchbacks. Never mind: all the more reason to come back and try it all over again!
Its on the bucket list Dave. Next time over there will be our 4th experience. Love all the history. After all it is my history too. My ancestors coming from Chawleigh/Chumleigh down in Devon in 1860. I just hope you can keep your history in tac with such a small country filling up so fast.
The difficulties of climbing up and descending from the top of Hardknot pass, pale into insignificance when you begin to appreciate how tough the Romans had it. They had to march up to, or down from Mediobogdum (Hardknot fort) ON FOOT with very little notice, and they didn't have even the roads that exist today. Mediobogdum was strategic as a mid point between Galava (at present day Ambleside,) and Glannoventa/Itunocelum (name disputed - but at present day Ravenglass) so that the Roman forces positioned there, could relay strategic messages and/or redeploy forces to defend against attacks from northern forces (from lands not occupied by Rome - probably modern-day Dumfries) by sea or by land.
It's been a long while but these Passes are simply breathtaking drives at least once in ones driving careers. The Honister Pass just as much fun but try the Chimney Bank, Yorky Moors, need your driving skills there equally.
Thanks alankiy. Hopefully returning to the uk this summer so will research chimney bank. We have just got back from 8 weeks in the States which was great too. We love driving these adventures before time stops us.
Thankyou for comments. For some reason I cannot view most comments and respond . We are hoping to return to the Uk from Australia in 2024. A beautiful country we are hoping excessive immigration does not destroy. If you have an opportunity to drive these passes please do it because out the back there is the real England. Roads are tricky in a few places but drive carefully and you will be glad you did it.
If that's the River Brathay, you must have been crossing Wrynose pass in the wrong direction. The Duddon Valley is what separates Wrynose and Hardknott passes, so I would suggest that that's the River Duddon.
Hi Dave. A fantastic drive very few visitors experience. We drove from East to West and loved it. I will accept your advice re river names because a bit difficult to dispute your wisdom from 12000 miles away. All I know is that we need to get back there. Planning UK, Ireland and a toe into France in 2025. Thanks for your contribution.
A one way road wouldn't work for the farming community the road is difficult to navigate but we manage....hope you come to the UK one day and see the lake district I promise there would be very little you would want to change it is stunningly beautiful.....Thanks 👍
@@colinwelsh2821 Thanks for your reply! I'm continuously learning more and more about England and Europe as I plan my trip. It's been very enlightening...in a great way...and it's even helping me be a better jeopardy player! Lol! Good to know what we need to be prepared for. 🙂
@@gregwebber1002 The more we know the better our trip will be! This was really a good video to watch, so thanks for making and sharing! I'm definitely looking forward to Lake District...and so much more of visiting the beautiful UK!
It's the River Duddon in Wrynose Bottom
I wish I had a dash cam when I drove this route! I've just driven these two passes for the first time- twice, in fact, since we turned around and went back the way we came after reaching the Roman fort. It was an amazing experience but definitely not one for an inexperienced driver, or a car with a low profile or a long wheelbase. I drove it in a four wheel compact SUV which coped with it perfectly- although I did have to stop on the way back for the brakes to cool off! Traversing it in the Eskdale to Langdale direction is definitely harder. You face the steepest hairpin and incline going up rather than down, and my car came close to stalling.
If you feel you have the level of experience for it, it's an absolutely stunning route and well worth it. You can also take the mountain goat bus instead if you prefer.
thanyou so much for your comments. Its great to be able to share these experiences and loved reading about your drive through this area. We love the UK and hoping to be back there in May 2024. In the meantime we will be in the US on 6/8/23 starting to drive through many of there National Parks....we can't wait. Thanks again for responding. We used an Osmo Action 2 camera and have since purchased an Osmo Action 3 which is better than the GoPro's. Go that way if you can....better than dash cams which are made for another purpose......and thanks once more time.....Greg
Spare your brakes by using the engine as much as possible in 1st going downhill.
@@nicholasmaycock267 I was in first the entire time as well! Being in first is not enough for this incredibly challenging road- at least, with the gears in my car. Most people doing this incredibly steep and twisted road report burnt brakepad smell by the end. It's strongly recommended to take a break to let them cool off if possible.
Thanks for your comments. I purchased my camera for this trip and captured some great memories. Consider doing the Scottish NW500. Another great drive. Hoping to return from Australia in 2024. For some reason my computer won’t allow me to view comments but did on this occasion and able to respond.
I love the way that Wrynose Pass, the Duddon Valley and Hardknott Pass have their start and end points indicated by cattle grids. Hearing that rattle and rumble as you cross the cattle grids, warns you of what's to come, (or allows you a sigh of relief, depending on which way you're travelling and whereabouts you are!)
You get a great feeling of wilderness Dave out there on the pass. We experience lots of wilderness in Australia Dave with only 27 million people in a country larger than all of Europe. Love all the "green" too.
A lovely video of the trials of crossing Wrynose and Hardknott passes. Shame you didn't consider having an audio track of your (real time) reactions to all those climbs & drops, bends & switchbacks. Never mind: all the more reason to come back and try it all over again!
Its on the bucket list Dave. Next time over there will be our 4th experience. Love all the history. After all it is my history too. My ancestors coming from Chawleigh/Chumleigh down in Devon in 1860. I just hope you can keep your history in tac with such a small country filling up so fast.
The difficulties of climbing up and descending from the top of Hardknot pass, pale into insignificance when you begin to appreciate how tough the Romans had it. They had to march up to, or down from Mediobogdum (Hardknot fort) ON FOOT with very little notice, and they didn't have even the roads that exist today.
Mediobogdum was strategic as a mid point between Galava (at present day Ambleside,) and Glannoventa/Itunocelum (name disputed - but at present day Ravenglass) so that the Roman forces positioned there, could relay strategic messages and/or redeploy forces to defend against attacks from northern forces (from lands not occupied by Rome - probably modern-day Dumfries) by sea or by land.
We sure are softies these days Dave.
It's been a long while but these Passes are simply breathtaking drives at least once in ones driving careers. The Honister Pass just as much fun but try the Chimney Bank, Yorky Moors, need your driving skills there equally.
Thanks alankiy. Hopefully returning to the uk this summer so will research chimney bank. We have just got back from 8 weeks in the States which was great too. We love driving these adventures before time stops us.
Thankyou for comments. For some reason I cannot view most comments and respond . We are hoping to return to the Uk from Australia in 2024. A beautiful country we are hoping excessive immigration does not destroy. If you have an opportunity to drive these passes please do it because out the back there is the real England. Roads are tricky in a few places but drive carefully and you will be glad you did it.
If that's the River Brathay, you must have been crossing Wrynose pass in the wrong direction. The Duddon Valley is what separates Wrynose and Hardknott passes, so I would suggest that that's the River Duddon.
Hi Dave. A fantastic drive very few visitors experience. We drove from East to West and loved it. I will accept your advice re river names because a bit difficult to dispute your wisdom from 12000 miles away. All I know is that we need to get back there. Planning UK, Ireland and a toe into France in 2025. Thanks for your contribution.
@@gregwebber1002 Check it out on Google Maps.
Excuse me. Why don't they simply make this a one-way road? I can't imagine something like this in the U.S.A.
A one way road wouldn't work for the farming community the road is difficult to navigate but we manage....hope you come to the UK one day and see the lake district I promise there would be very little you would want to change it is stunningly beautiful.....Thanks 👍
I am from Australia but narrow two way roads add to the challenge. England is full of single lanes used for traffic both ways.
@@colinwelsh2821 Thanks for your reply! I'm continuously learning more and more about England and Europe as I plan my trip. It's been very enlightening...in a great way...and it's even helping me be a better jeopardy player! Lol! Good to know what we need to be prepared for. 🙂
@@gregwebber1002 The more we know the better our trip will be! This was really a good video to watch, so thanks for making and sharing! I'm definitely looking forward to Lake District...and so much more of visiting the beautiful UK!