A little inspiration for the road

Scenic drives near Penrith

Discover the closest published Remapped drives to Penrith, England. Routes are ordered by their nearest point to the town centre and may start elsewhere. Distances to routes are approximate straight-line distances, not driving distances. Roads featured include A686, A689, A5074.

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15–99 milesRoute distances

27–199 minEstimated driving

4Circular routes

Short on time? Wrynose and Hardknott Crossing has the shortest estimated drive in this collection, at 27 minutes before stops.

Cumbria and Northumberland, England

Hartside and the North Pennines

38 miles59 minPoint-to-point

Closest point on route: 1 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Follow the A686 from the Eden Valley over Hartside to Alston, then continue through the North Pennines towards Haydon Bridge. This is a substantial point-to-point crossing, combining the climb’s unfolding views with open high-country stretches beyond Alston. Set aside time for a break and plan your onward or return journey.

Along the way

Hartside crossing
Alston

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Cumbria, England

Kirkstone Pass and Ullswater

22 miles35 minPoint-to-point

Closest point on route: 4 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Cross Kirkstone Pass on the A592 before descending towards Glenridding and continuing beside Ullswater to Pooley Bridge. High fell scenery gives way to the lake corridor on this varied point-to-point route.

Along the way

Kirkstone Pass
Ullswater road

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Cumbria, England

Lake District Six Passes Grand Driving Tour

99 miles3 hr 19 minCircular

Closest point on route: 8 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Make a demanding full-day circuit linking six celebrated Lake District passes. The route combines Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands, Whinlatter, Hardknott and Wrynose with western valley roads; it is designed as a major driving day rather than a short sightseeing loop.

Along the way

Kirkstone Pass
Honister Pass
Hardknott Pass

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Cumbria, England

Central Lakes: Ambleside to Keswick

18 miles29 minPoint-to-point

Closest point on route: 14 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Use the A591 to link Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick through the central Lake District. The road rises beyond Grasmere towards Dunmail Raise before descending into the northern lakes.

Along the way

Grasmere and Dunmail Raise

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County Durham and Cumbria, England

North Pennines: Teesdale and Weardale Driving Loop

57 miles1 hr 54 minCircular

Closest point on route: 16 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Cross the high B6277 through Teesdale, then return through Weardale and Nenthead. This circuit concentrates on the eastern North Pennines, pairing open high roads with the valley settlements rather than repeating the Hartside approach.

Along the way

Teesdale
Weardale

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Cumbria, England

Honister and Borrowdale Loop

29 miles45 minCircular

Closest point on route: 16 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Make a circuit from Keswick through Borrowdale and over Honister to Buttermere, returning by the Lorton side of the fells. The steep pass forms the central contrast between the two valley approaches.

Along the way

Honister Pass
Borrowdale

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Cumbria, England

Newlands Hause and Whinlatter Pass Loop

20 miles48 minCircular

Closest point on route: 18 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Pair Newlands Hause with Whinlatter for a compact western Lakes circuit. The drive links a narrow open fell crossing with the wooded B5292, keeping Buttermere’s shore setting on the through-route.

Along the way

Newlands Hause
Whinlatter Pass

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Cumbria, England

Wrynose and Hardknott Crossing

15 miles27 minPoint-to-point

Closest point on route: 18 miles from Penrith · straight-line distance

Cross from the Langdale side of the fells through Wrynose and Hardknott towards Eskdale. This is a slow, demanding pass crossing rather than a fast touring road, with tight bends and pronounced gradients.

Along the way

Wrynose and Hardknott

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Make a day of it.

Driving times exclude stops. Leave time for the views, check each route’s notes and make the journey your own.

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Before you head out

Frequently asked questions

About the drives in this collection.

Which drive passes closest to this location?

Hartside and the North Pennines has the closest point on a route in this selection, approximately 1 miles from Penrith in a straight line. This is not the distance to the route start or a driving-distance estimate.

Which is the shortest drive in this collection?

Wrynose and Hardknott Crossing is the shortest by route distance, at 15 miles, with an estimated driving time of 27 min. Allow extra time for stops and the journey to the route.

Which is the longest drive in this collection?

Lake District Six Passes Grand Driving Tour is the longest by route distance, at 99 miles. Its estimated driving time is 3 hr 19 min, excluding stops and travel to the route.

Are there circular drives in this collection?

4 routes start and finish in the same place, including Lake District Six Passes Grand Driving Tour. Check the route map to find a convenient starting point.

Can I customise one of these drives?

Yes. Open a drive and choose Customise this route to edit a copy in the road trip planner. Sign in to customise; Premium is required to save your version. You can change stops or plan several days.

Frequently asked questions

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