how do! im a cyclist who likes a lung busting climb. where are the best mountain passes in britain.?

Question

names of roads and passes would be great.

i think the bwlch y groes pass in mid wales takes some beating (literally)

yes britain has mountain passes. not like the khyber pass but still pretty severe in some cases.

Answer 1

I know of a few:

1. Wrynose pass in the Lake District, nice views as well:

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-3.11760&GridN=54.41420&lon=-3.11760&lat=54.41420&search_result=Wrynose%20Pass%2C%20Cumbria&db=freegaz&lang=&keepicon=true&place=Wrynose%20Pass%2C%20Cumbria&pc=&advanced=&client=public&addr2=&quicksearch=wrynose%20pass&addr3=&scale=100000&addr1=

slog up to 390m sir? And then how about back down part way and then up again onto Hardknott Pass at 393m?

2. Kirkstone Pass, also in the Lake District:
454m sir?

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=340000.150784767&Y=510000.977512395&width=700&height=400&gride=340197.150784767&gridn=508417.977512395&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=100000&down.x=291&down.y=3

3. The Rest And Be Thankful in the Southern Highlands of Scotland, 245m:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-4.85070&GridN=56.22790&lon=-4.85070&lat=56.22790&search_result=Rest%20and%20be%20thankful%2C%20Argyll%20%26%20Bute&db=freegaz&lang=&keepicon=true&place=Rest%20and%20be%20thankful%2C%20Argyll%20%26%20Bute&pc=&advanced=&client=public&addr2=&quicksearch=rest%20and%20be%20thankful&addr3=&scale=100000&addr1=

3. And the biggest one I know of, but unfortunately not a mountain 'pass' (you'd have to go up and back down again), up to the top car park at Cairngorm:

A poor quality map is here, but at least gives you an indication of where it is:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&GridE=-3.67630&GridN=57.12900&lon=-3.67630&lat=57.12900&place=Cairngorm%20Chairlift%20%26%20Ski%20Centre%2C%20Highland&db=freegaz&scale=100000&search_result=Cairngorm%20Chairlift%20%26%20Ski%20Centre%2C%20Highland&lang=&keepicon=true

The circle indicates the summit of Cairngorm mountain rather than the car park (your destination).

Grid Reference: NH 989 061

The height above sea-level is roughly 620m!

I got the grid reference from the Ordance Survey wesbite and its 'Get a Map' service which allows you to look at their maps online and also print them, which is superb. To view it, start at,
http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/

Turn off any pop-up blocker you have on and put NH989061 into the search box. You should be greeted with a view of the car park. You can then zoom out to get your bearings. It's near Aviemore. As far as I know the road is only closed after heavy snow.

I'll be damned if there's a higher road than that in Britain!

Answer 2

If you want a really steep climb, then Bwlch y Groes is indeed the daddy (when the Milk Race went over there years back, plenty of the professional cyclists were forced to get off and push as they hadn't fitted suitable gears), and some of the passes in the Lake District are pretty steep too.

However if you want a longer climb, then try going up Holme Moss on the A6024 south of Holmfirth in the southern pennines and you'll know about it. It's a 2.5 mile climb with 1000 feet of ascent, so it's not TdF standard, but you'll still feel pretty chuffed at the top. Go down the other side (and hit 50mph if you've got the nerve), turn left (east) on to the A628 and head up to Woodhead Pass for a nice, steady, not too steep climb with a pub (the Dog and Partridge) a mile or so beyond the summit. Have a pint, then continue down to the roundabout with the A616, turn round and reverse your journey. http://tinyurl.com/oofvn

The longest continual ascent in England is a shade over 5.5 miles. It starts on the B6138 in Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire, and heads south towards Rishworth Moor. However, it's not very steep, and it's very, very bleak at the top, with not a pub in sight http://tinyurl.com/lufpq

Enjoy.

Answer 3

Lake District.

Answer 4

If you live in britain, I'm sure you know, or can ask your local cycle shop. I really wasn't aware that Britain had mountain passes either? Mostly known for flatlands I thought.

Answer 5

have you ever shipped some thing from heaven? It takes always and the delivery cost is finking ridiculous. besides, the cellular technologies wasn't very solid again interior the day. believe me, making him climb a mountain changed into swifter.

Answer 6

Britain has mountain passes?

Answer 7

have you thought of the Highlands of Scotland there are some fantastic climbs there...even the car has trouble sometimes LoL

Answer 8

lake district

Answer 9

cranley gardens in south kensington

Answer 10

change gear