Mountain Passes in the United Kingdom

Also known as the ‘Cote de Buttertubs’ if you were watching the 2014 Tour. Don’t let its cutesy name fool you – this 4.5km ascent touches 17% in parts

Nice long climb with a few steep sections. At the top it opens up to stunning views and a fantastic descent.

A word of warning though don't start out too … read more

Right in the heart of northern Snowdonia, Pen-y-Pass is superbly located for adventures on the Snowdon massif and the Glyderau. It is a popular starting point for the Miners' and … read more

Savage, no two ways about it. Buy more gears. Also the view coming down the other side is out of this world!!

Imposing and consistently steep, with the hardest stretch near the top and a long stretch of rising road beforehand that will start to tax you before you even reach the climb proper

Proclaimed as one of the UK’s toughest and most magnificent stretches of tarmac, complete with stunning scenery and the greatest amount of ascent of any British road

The Corrieyairack Pass has somewhat legendary status in these parts. It climbs up to 2,526 feet (770 meters) and forms part of a network of military roads built in this … read more

6 jelly-baby climb*
This ascent goes on and on... Put your rear light on, grit your teeth and go for it. Gets steeper near the top (going from Ladybower to … read more

This gravel road crosses the mountains between Loch Rannoch in the north and Glen Lyon in the south.

Ride easy gravel for most parts, but as it is Scotland, there … read more

Number 91 on Top 100 Climbs...

Sty Head is the apex of an ancient and wild trade route between Borrowdale and Wasdale, the Styhead Pass. Right in the mountainous heart of the Lake District, it separates … read more

It is possible, just, to climb hardknott pass with bike packing gear. Put the weight forward to stop yourself falling back or sideways (which happened to half the group!). Lots … read more

Fast and open at the top, becoming more narrow singletrack further down, and ending in a series of hugely fun switchbacks, Sticks Pass (the Ullswater side as a descent from … read more

A mountain pass, the lowest point between two peaks, is often the meeting place of various paths. In the Scottish Highlands, this is a 'bealach', in England it is a … read more

Phew, you've reached the top of Dunkery Beacon on the road!

Best tackled from the coastal northern side near the quaint village of Porlock, this 2 mile (3.2 km) climb … read more

This is one of the three bridleway climbs up Snowdon that is permissible for cycling. You'll need a mountain bike, and to follow the summer access restrictions on Snowdon. read more

It’s about a 20m vertical rise so it isn’t going to trouble too many people, but its got switchbacks (2 of them!) so it gets a highlight. Off road tarmac path on the Stoke Park estate.

Not the most technical, no, this is a packhorse doubletrack all the way, with everything that entails, but it's still a stiff climb in both length and height. Your legs … read more

The pass called Greenup Edge is the second one you pass on your coast to coast trip. I really enjoyed our break at the stream in its little valley.

The … read more

Challenging Lake District climb with spectacular views and a pub at the top - what more could you want?!