England · United Kingdom
Woodhead Pass
A628Tintwistle to Barnsley
A high, exposed trans-Pennine road over bleak moorland.
The A628 Woodhead Pass climbs over the bleak high moors between Tintwistle and Langsett, the main road across the northern Peak District. Fast and open but notoriously exposed; watch for fog, strong crosswinds, heavy lorries, and quick weather over the tops.
Where it runs13.6 mi · point to point
TintwistleStart · England
BarnsleyEnd · England
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Character
Corners20bends
Tightness4of 10
Max gradient8%≈ 1-in-13
Climb359 mtotal ascent
Summit454 mhighest point of the line · 1,490 ft
Corners
busiest around mile 13Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%153.5 – 454 mPoints of interest3 stops
- Round HouseLandmark12 mi in
- South NabViewpoint10 mi in
- Pikenaze HillViewpoint6.2 mi in
Hazards
- Fog and crosswinds over the tops
- Heavy lorry traffic
- Fast-changing weather
Sources
“It may be a major road, but one of the best major roads out there.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
Driving the Woodhead Pass: quick answers
How long does it take to drive the Woodhead Pass?
Woodhead Pass runs 13.6 miles (22 km) and takes about 26 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Woodhead Pass to drive?
We rate it moderate: 20 corners, a maximum gradient of 8%, and a tightness of 4 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Woodhead Pass?
Spring and Summer and Autumn are best.
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Woodhead Pass.
Woodhead Pass
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