Hardknott Pass
Hardknott Pass, which is a mountain pass in the Lake District, is on a minor road between the A595 on the west coast and the A593 near Skelwith Bridge in the east. The Romans, who called this road the Tenth Highway, originally built on a road over the pass in the 2nd century AD to link the coastal fort at Ravenglass with their garrisons at Ambleside and Kendal. At the top of the Hardknott Pass it reaches a height of 393 metres before it steeply descends to the Duddon Valley and then it ascends and descends to the Wrynose Pass, which also reaches a height of 393 metres, on it’s way to Ambleside.
However, as the pass leaves Eskdale it passes the Hardknott Roman Fort which is at a height of approximately 200 metres. There are a few parking places for motorists who wish to stop and look at this fascinating ancient site.
From the top of this pass, on a clear day, the view extends to the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. Please note that heavier vehicles are not allowed to use this pass as it has several sharp hairpin bends, also please remember that drivers are expected to give way to oncoming traffic that are ascending the pass.
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