Hi dk . I assume you will have your trailer ? If so avoid it . In most I've been over so many times and the biggest issue is other drivers . Having to stop on the steepest and narrow sections can be hard with out a trailer .
I would get to site pitch up and drive over empty and with out the trailer . Better to get to site clutch intact
As mentioned in my first post, I shan't be towing a trailer, not that stupid!!!
I have already planned my trailer-suitable route to avoid the pass as suggested by the Eskdale C&CC site.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Quote: Originally posted by sarahsop on 13/8/2014
Eskdale C&CC is my favourite place to camp and we've driven the pass numerous times. The scenery is breathtakingly spectacular!
I agree, Eskdale site is lovely and the surrounding scenery is fabulous. If you like taking photos DK you should get some really good ones round there.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
The Hardknott and Wrynose Passes road is my favourite road - I love challenging roads! I drove it in a small, distinctly unpowerful Nissan Micra, though it just had me in it and I think it would have been unlikely to make it with someone else in the car. I also drove it in a more powerful Micra with others in the car. It's GREAT fun to drive along if you like that kind of thing. It vies with Rosedale Chimney in Yorkshire as the steepest road in England, at over 30%, and it is STEEP. Also with hairpins at the steepest parts. If you are a confident driver it shouldn't be any problem, assuming you enjoy that sort of driving. Just be observant, be considerate to others, bear in mind there may be some drivers around who shouldn't be there, and don't be in a rush. I wouldn't do it with a laden car, nor as a route to actually get anywhere. It's a road to drive along if you like that sort of thing. I'd say the most difficult part is when you are going downhill so steeply you cannot see the road below your bonnet for a bit.
Trying to go back to Eskdale C&CC after a visit to Brockhole, gave way to a car at the base before the really steep zig zag section, could not get up, started to roll back with the aim to turn back, and rolled into a ditch instead.
Luckily, there were kind passer-bys who stopped to push me out of the ditch so that I could turn back and pick up another route towards Broughton.
Miraculously, the car does not appear to be damaged, so something up there was definitely looking after me, phew!!!
It could have been a lot worse if I were to get stuck in the zig zag section and roll down a steep edge!!! Still shaking just thinking about it.
Off to eat, drink and calm myself down.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Its the cyclists going over that always amaze me - really fit guys!
The mini should be fine, however if you're going to be nervous try some of the gentler passes first like Honister - the really problem with these passes is people getting nervous and going too slowly or not giving way.
Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 08/9/2014
Well, I tried and failed.
Trying to go back to Eskdale C&CC after a visit to Brockhole, gave way to a car at the base before the really steep zig zag section, could not get up, started to roll back with the aim to turn back, and rolled into a ditch instead.
Luckily, there were kind passer-bys who stopped to push me out of the ditch so that I could turn back and pick up another route towards Broughton.
Miraculously, the car does not appear to be damaged, so something up there was definitely looking after me, phew!!!
It could have been a lot worse if I were to get stuck in the zig zag section and roll down a steep edge!!! Still shaking just thinking about it.
Off to eat, drink and calm myself down.
DK
Oh dear, no damage done though which is good. At least you gave it a try. To be fair though the other driver should have given way to you if you were going up hill, so it's all their fault
Nah, my fault for being nervous and not sufficiently experienced to tackle such a steep road. I could blame the car for not having enough juice, however, it would be unkind to her.
On the way back, I went up a steep road called Smithy Lane towards Birker Fell without any issues, and felt a bit better afterwards.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Just met a couple who towed a trailer with a small van across the pass today!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Problem is with giving way going up. It will be impossible to do an up hill start. Cars coming down hill should be the ones to stop and give way.
I was driving up a steep gradient this year in the lead District. Had to overtake a cyclist. If I stopped now way on this earth would be move of again. Overtook, 2 cyclists who where racing down hill at high speed, they did not slow down and insulted me as they passed. If they were in a car, there was no way the have reached me until I passed the cyclists. At the end off the day roads are not a race track, if they insist on breaking the speed limit, that's their own fault.
------------- New Year: Hesketh Bank
Feb/March: Red Squirrel
March: lakes
June: Morecambe
Aug: Lake District(not camping camping)
October: Red Squirrel
Remember driving up and down that years ago in a very powerful Golf. Vast majority of mdern cars wouldn't have any issues going up from a power perspective, epscially a Mini which would be fine, but as OP found its the driving ability and ability of others that may cause issues!
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Topic: Hardknott Pass, Lake District
