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LAKE DISTRICT – THE FIVE PASSES

FIVE PASSES ROUTE MAP GPX FILE

Five Passes, One Day: My Ultimate Lake District Motorcycle Ride

There’s something special about riding in the Lake District. The roads are challenging, the scenery is incredible, and around every corner there’s another view that makes you want to stop and take a photo.
Recently, I set out from The Filling Station Café in Keswick with a simple goal: link together some of the best riding roads in the Lakes into one unforgettable day out. The result was a route that took me over Honister Pass, Newlands Pass, Whinlatter Pass, Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass, before bringing me back to where I started.
It turned out to be one of the best rides I’ve done in a long time.
 
Starting at The Filling Station Café
Like most good rides, this one started with coffee.
The Filling Station Café is a bit of a favourite with local riders and visitors alike, so it seemed the perfect place to begin. After a decent breakfast, a final check of the bike and a full tank of fuel, I headed out of Keswick and into Borrowdale.
The weather was on my side and the roads were still fairly quiet. It didn’t take long before the mountains started closing in around me and I knew the fun was about to begin.
 
Climbing Honister Pass
As soon as I reached Seatoller, the road started climbing.
Honister Pass has a reputation for a reason. It’s steep, narrow in places and demands your attention, but that’s exactly what makes it so enjoyable on a bike.
As I worked my way up the pass, I kept finding myself glancing in the mirrors at the incredible views opening up behind me. By the time I reached the top, I was already grinning inside my helmet.
It’s one of those roads that reminds you why you ride.
 
Through Newlands Pass
After dropping down from Honister, I headed towards Newlands Adventure Centre to pick up Newlands Pass.
This road feels completely different. It’s less dramatic than Honister but has a lovely flow to it. The bends seem to arrive at just the right pace, and the scenery is absolutely stunning.
I barely saw another vehicle through parts of this section and it felt like I had the whole valley to myself.
For me, this is one of the hidden gems of the Lake District.
 
Across Whinlatter
The next stop was Whinlatter.
The climb through the forest was a complete contrast to the exposed mountain roads I’d already ridden. Long sweeping bends wound through the trees and every now and then the woodland opened up to reveal fantastic views across the surrounding fells.
It isn’t the most famous pass in the Lakes, but it’s one I always enjoy riding.
Before long I dropped down towards Lorton and started heading west.
 
The Calm Before Hardknott
The run from Lorton towards Eskdale was a chance to relax a little.
The roads became quieter and the landscape felt more remote. Small villages, open countryside and distant mountains made for a fantastic ride, but all the way through I knew what was waiting ahead.
Hardknott Pass.
Every rider who’s heard of it knows exactly what kind of challenge it can be.
 
Taking on Hardknott Pass
Nothing really prepares you for Hardknott the first time you ride it.
Even knowing what was coming, the climb still managed to surprise me.
The road rears up in front of you with some seriously steep gradients, and then the hairpins begin. One after another, climbing higher and higher into the mountains.
It’s the kind of road that demands total concentration.
There isn’t much room for mistakes, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. Reaching the top felt like a genuine achievement and the views were absolutely spectacular.
I stopped more than once simply to take it all in.
 
Hardknott Roman Fort
Just beyond the pass I made a stop at Hardknott Roman Fort.
Perched high above the valley, the remains of the fort are almost two thousand years old and offer some of the most incredible views in the Lake District.
Standing there looking across the mountains and down at the road I’d just ridden, it was easy to understand why the Romans chose this location.
It’s definitely worth getting off the bike for a few minutes and having a wander around.
 
Over Wrynose Pass
From Hardknott Roman Fort I continued towards Cockley Beck and then onto Wrynose Pass.
If Hardknott is the challenge, Wrynose is the reward.
The road still has plenty of twists and turns, but it feels more relaxed and flowing. The scenery is every bit as impressive, with mountains rising on both sides and fantastic views stretching into the distance.
By this point I was completely in that riding zone where everything just clicks.
No distractions.
No stress.
Just road, bike and scenery.
 
Heading Home
The descent into Little Langdale was beautiful and from there I picked up the road towards Ambleside before joining the A591 north.
After all the technical mountain roads, the ride past Grasmere and Thirlmere felt wonderfully relaxed.
It gave me chance to think back over everything I’d ridden during the day. Five famous passes, an ancient Roman fort and some of the most breathtaking scenery Britain has to offer.
Not a bad day’s riding.
 
Back Where It Started
Eventually I rolled back into The Filling Station Café.
The bike was covered in road dust, I’d used a full tank of fuel and I couldn’t stop smiling.
Sitting outside with a coffee afterwards, watching other bikes come and go, I realised this route has everything I look for in a great ride. Challenging roads, incredible scenery, interesting places to stop and enough twists and turns to keep you smiling all day.
If you’re looking for a Lake District route that packs as much as possible into a single day, I’d thoroughly recommend giving this one a go.
Just make sure you’ve got plenty of fuel, plenty of time, and enough space on your phone for all the photos you’ll end up taking.
 
Ride Information
Start / Finish: The Filling Station Café, Keswick
Distance: Around 90 – 100 miles
Time Required: 5 to 6 hours plus stops
Route Highlights:
  • Honister Pass
  • Newlands Pass
  • Whinlatter Pass
  • Hardknott Pass
  • Hardknott Roman Fort
  • Wrynose Pass
  • Grasmere
  • Thirlmere
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is easily one of the best motorcycle routes I’ve ridden in the Lake District, and one I’ll definitely be doing again.