The Struggle, Ambleside
The Struggle, Ambleside
There are several ways to climb Kirkstone Pass – the highest major road in the Lake District – but the aptly-named The Struggle is the toughest.
Shorter than the alternatives, the climb still covers more than 4.8km of twisting road, cutting through what is a stunning backdrop.
It is the steepest of the three routes up the Pass, with dome sections approaching 20 per cent in gradient and the average a painful eight per cent.
The lung-busting ascent snakes up to summit, with a small descent only a minor respite before two killer hairpins towards the peak serve as a final sting in the tail.
Vital statistics
Length: 4.8km
Elevation: 396m
Average gradient: Eight per cent
Maximum gradient: 20 per cent