was looking around at a possible drive for the brisky people at the summer BBQ, but this road isn't suitable for lots of cars... its real fun though! if there's a few people left over on the monday, we could do this drive... up over hardknott pass (and wryno's) spelled wrong of course....

was looking around at a possible drive for the brisky people at the summer BBQ, but this road isn't suitable for lots of cars... its real fun though! if there's a few people left over on the monday, we could do this drive... up over hardknott pass (and wryno's) spelled wrong of course....

Hey, and no steam from engine compartment, no oil dripping from underneath :P

Hardnott Pass is a great drive. I did it in a 1.4TDI Polo.

Was going to take the Landy over there later on in the year.

I've driven Hardknott & Wrynose many times, previously in my old Scooby, drifting it through the hairpins , and they are both stunning roads and lots of fun. It's almost impossible to get much speed up as the threat from those granite rocks at either side, the constant undulations and twists, allied with the traffic as gangs of pensioners in Rovers trundle along there daily make it complex and challenging. I prefer the high speed flowing bends of Kirkstone, Whinlatter and Honister, but my absolute favorite is Ribblesdale, taking in Buttertubs for good measure.

Way cool pics

Wow that night shot is fantastic. Top pics.

Those pictures are brilliant!!!

I have to agree; the Buttertubs road is one of the best in England that I've driven.

I have to come clean, the pics aren't mine. the night one was from a Google link and the Subaru shot is a mate of mine's

I've driven Buttertubs many time and it just doesn't get me the way Ribblesdale does. I love the smoth surface, flowing bends, open sightlines and gentle undulations which combine to make an awesome, potentially VERY high speed and extremely satisfying driving experience. I still enjoy it when it gets more complex, but the lower speeds detract from my thrill. Puerile I know, but it's what floats my boat :P

I took my Octy over there last summer . . . and back again.

An excellent drive! I didn't have to stop once for other traffic which must be a record for a middle of the day drive on a sunny August day.

The picture doesn't really show the gradient, but to put it into perspective, in 1st gear with the handbrake off (and engine off obviously), it was steep enough to turn the engine over. :eek: I just prayed the handbrake wouldn't fail!

Hardknott Pass, Cumbria

happy to see a few of you have tried it... its a cracking road, and today was one of those few time where i thought "England still has a few nice roads that you can go on SOLEY for the pure joy of driving them...." was great ...

and corradoboy: that thing you said "boulders either side.." is true... the fact that there can be NO room for error at times, or loose your car sharpens the experiance... and to not have to break the speed limit to get all these thrills, also adds to a good day out!

I've driven this in my old 1.4 Peugeot 206 but haven't done it in the Fabia so far. I think i need a weekend away.

they look great, this is part of the camping trip isnt it?

they look great, this is part of the camping trip isnt it?

It might be, but I would strongly advise against any more than a couple of people going up at a time. It's tricky enough trying to get a line of cars down the Peak District lanes, let alone a road which is narrower, 5 times steeper and with drops off the side.

maybe a tamer road for all of us then

they look great, this is part of the camping trip isnt it?

I'm only suggesting this route for a few people (maybe 3-4) if they are left over on the monday

the main drive will have wider roads than this, although there will still be a couple of mountain passes

looking good mate!

I remeber doing a rally which included them back in the good ole days - trying to average 60 was "entertaining"

Nowaday I just "bimble" and never exceed about 110 along wrynose bottom

I've cycled up that bugger..... lots of switch back corners on one of the sides