Region guide
The best driving roads in Northern England
24 driving roads in Northern England, including 1 world icon, each with its route, climb and best seasons.
Roads241 world icon
Combined293 mi472 km of driving
High point599 m1,965 ft
Northern England is pass country: the Lake District’s brutal climbs, the Yorkshire Dales’ limestone sweeps and the high moorland roads of the Pennines. Hardknott, Buttertubs and Honister are here, along with the rest.
The roads
Hardknott & Wrynose Passes7 mi · 18 min · 35 cornersView the roadbook ›
Buttertubs Pass
Hartside Pass
Kirkstone Pass
Dunmail Raise
Sutton Bank
Wensleydale
Stainmore
Shap Fell
Ribblehead
Kirkby Stephen Road
Wensleydale to Richmond
Cragg Vale
Wharfedale
Honister Pass
Swaledale
Whinlatter Pass
Upper Coquetdale
Newlands Pass
Trough of Bowland
Yad Moss
Fleet Moss
Rosedale Chimney Bank
Ambleside to Coniston
More of the United Kingdom
Driving in Northern England: common questions
What is the best driving road in Northern England?
Hardknott & Wrynose Passes is the place to start. Among England’s steepest roads, back-to-back passes of 1-in-3 hairpins.
How many great driving roads does Northern England have?
24 roads in our catalogue, 293 miles of driving in all, every one traced from OpenStreetMap.