Kirkstone Pass – Where Dogs Become Mountain Goats in a Dramatic Landscape

Kirstone Pass is a scenic route between Windermere and Ullswater lakes, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. 

Distance	Total Time	Difficulty
0.86 km	00:30	Difficult

This popular mountain pass is part of the Lake District National Park and is one of the higher passes in the region that can be crossed by car. At its peak, Kirkstone Pass reaches approximately 1,489 feet (454 meters) above sea level. The tallest peak is the Red Screes and it rises to 2,541 ft (774 m), although we did not venture as far on this particular walk. 

A fun fact for those considering journey to Kirkstone Pass by foot from Ambleside: the section of the road leading up from Ambleside is famously steep and is locally known as “The Struggle” as it’s challenging to climb. Needless to say, we opted for a more leisurely route by driving up via A592 all the way to the Kirkstone Pass car park. 

Unlike most of our hikes, this was not a circular route. We took the same path up the hill as we did on the return journey. We parked at Kirkstone Pass car park, which was free and we used the postcode LA22 9LQ to guide us there. 

Don’t forget to check the post notes at the bottom of the page, with maps, a detailed table about the hike and links to everything mentioned in the post.

The Hike

Just seven miles up north from Ambleside is Kirkstone Pass, which market our third and final walk of the day out in the Lake District. 

As soon as we arrived at the car park, we knew we were in for a treat. The dramatic landscape immediately captivated us, and the dogs were equally thrilled, as the surroundings and smells were very different to what they’re used to. 

The walk itself was straightforward. After passing through the only gate there, we followed a stone pass that wound its way up the mountain. Despite the straightforward route, the climb was still challenging for us, since it was our last walk of the day and the human members of our group were already feeling the effects of two previous hikes. Meanwhile, the dogs we still full of energy, navigating the rocky terrain with ease, almost as if they were mountain goats themselves!

Although the day was dry, certain sections of the path were slightly slippery due to a small stream that meandered across the trail. This added an extra layer of excitement to the walk, keeping everyone on their toes. The views were nothing short of spectacular. 

Looking back, when we return to the Lake District, we’ll make sure to tackle this walk as our first of the day, at the time when our energy levels are at their peak. We’ll be prepared to take our time, savouring every moment of the journey and the incredible views that come with it. 

Thanks for reading.

Lolita