Hardknott Pass

This might look like a flat view of the landscape, but what you see here is actually quite a steep ‘road’. I hesitate to call it a road proper as it is a single track that goes over the pass of the title. You have to have a low centre of gravity car with plenty of oomph to get to the top and down the other side. Plenty of vehicles have ‘fallen’ off the pass over the years. Only last year a German couple in a camper van slid off the ‘road’ and rolled down the hill. Luckily they survived. If it is wet, and it was when I went, then you really need traction control and a light-weight car. Also do not expect to get out of second gear all the way. Going fast will result in problems as they have 90 degree corners where the edges of the turn slip away so you can cut them, but you need the speed to get onwards up the pass.

If you like to frighten yourself, I recommend you try it in winter, not the summer.