Kirkstone Pass

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Kirkstone Pass is a mountain pass in the Lake District, Cumbria, England. It sits at 1,489 feet (454 meters) above sea level and is the highest pass reached by road in the district. The A592 road crosses the pass, linking Ambleside in the Rothay Valley with Patterdale in the Ullswater Valley. The road climbs steeply, with gradients close to 1 in 4, and the view down into Patterdale, with Brothers Water in view, is a famous sight.

Near the summit is the Kirkstone Pass Inn. Once a vital coaching inn, it now mainly serves visitors and is one of England’s highest pubs.

Historically, the pass has a mining past. Slate from nearby quarries and lead from Hartsop Hall were mined in former times. Petts Quarry and the Caudale slate mine tell of the area’s mining history, though many adits are now blocked.

The name Kirkstone comes from a prominent stone near the A592 on the Patterdale side; its shadow is said to resemble a church steeple. “Kirk” means church in Old Norse and Old English. Locally, the climb from Ambleside is known as “The Struggle.” The pass has also appeared in culture, such as Geoffrey Trease’s Cue for Treason and in songs by Archie Fisher.