Steeps › The steepest roads and hills in England
The steepest roads and hills in England
England's steepest roads include two passes quoted at 1 in 3, a famous Bristol street and a cobbled hill in Dorset. Here are the documented figures.
Hardknott Pass, Cumbria
A single-track road in the Lake District between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley, with a maximum of 1 in 3 (about 33%), according to Wikipedia. It reaches 393 metres and passes the ruins of Hardknott Roman Fort. Read the full story on our Hardknott Pass page.
Rosedale Chimney Bank, North Yorkshire
Linking Rosedale Abbey and Hutton-le-Hole in the North York Moors, it has an average of 13% and a maximum of 1 in 3. It shares the title of steepest road in England with Hardknott. See Rosedale Chimney Bank.
Vale Street, Bristol
A short residential street described as the steepest in Britain. Quoted maximums range from 25.6% to 33%, depending on the source (see our ranking).
Bamford Clough, Peak District
664 metres at an average of 21%, with a maximum around 36.5%, according to BikeRadar. The road was recently resurfaced when Countryfile described it.
Winnats Pass, Derbyshire
West of Castleton in the Peak District, the road's maximum gradient is over 28%. Its narrowness and gradient have led to restrictions: buses, coaches and vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are barred. The pass has been heavily used since the A625 at Mam Tor closed permanently in 1979 because of subsidence. It cuts through Lower Carboniferous limestone about 340 million years old, in a gorge carved by meltwater. A community minibus and a seasonal sightseeing bus serve the pass; check current times before you travel.
Porlock Hill, Somerset
Part of the A39 and the steepest A-road in the UK, approaching 1 in 4 (25%) in places. It climbs 725 feet in just under a mile. A toll road offers an easier route at about 1 in 14 (7%). Caravans and HGVs are advised to use another route, and the descent has two escape lanes. The road opened in 1843, and Selwyn Edge drove the first motor car up it in 1900.
Steep Hill, Lincoln, and Trooper Lane, Halifax
Steep Hill in Lincoln averages 14% with a 20% maximum and is cobbled and narrow, so Countryfile recommends it on foot. Trooper Lane in Halifax is 769 metres with a maximum of 27.7%.
Gold Hill, Shaftesbury, Dorset
A cobbled street beside the former abbey precinct, with St Peter's Church at the top. It is best known for the 1973 Hovis "Boy on Bike" advert directed by Ridley Scott. We did not find a documented gradient, so we cannot say how steep it is. Treat it as a walk rather than a drive.
See cycling climbs if you want to ride them, and driving steep hills safely if you plan to drive.
How the English roads compare
The two roads quoted at 1 in 3, Hardknott and Rosedale, are both long enough to be real climbs, at 2.2 km and 1.3 km. The Peak District roads, Bamford Clough and Winnats Pass, combine steepness with narrow lanes. The Bristol and Lincoln streets are urban: they are short, cobbled or residential, and best seen on foot. Porlock Hill is the odd one out because it is an A-road, so ordinary traffic, including lorries and caravans, meets it without choosing to. That is the reason it has escape lanes and a toll road alternative.
Always check closures. Winter ice shuts Hardknott often, and some Peak District roads have vehicle restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
Which road is steepest in England, Hardknott or Rosedale?
Both are quoted at a maximum of 1 in 3. Wikipedia says they share the title.
Is Gold Hill very steep?
It is steep and cobbled, but we found no documented gradient.
What is the steepest A-road in the UK?
Porlock Hill on the A39, approaching 1 in 4.