Wrynose Pass

The Wrynose Pass

The Wrynose Pass is a mountain pass in the Lake District, stretching between Dunnerdale and Little Langdale, joining Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland; it marks the border between Lancashire and Westmorland and Cumberland in turn and the Three Shires Point is on the pass, marked with a bold pillar inscribed "Lancashire".

The upper course of the River Brathay flows east into Langdale, and the Wrynose pass runs up through this dale to the Three Shires Stone, which is on the watershed. Past the stone, the pass follows the upper stream of the River Duddon down until the dale, Dunnerdale, opens up.

As the Wrynose Pass ends at Cockley Beck at the head of Dunnerdale, the Hardknott Pass begins, climbing up along the flank of Hard Knott and carrying the road on, up and down into Eskdale, Cumberland.

The name "Wrynose" is derived from "Pass of the stallion".

Road

The Three Shires Stone

The road through the pass is a single-track road, and one which veers, climbs and plunges through spectacular scenery. It is one of the steepest roads in Britain, with gradients up to 1 in 3, and many a place combines a sharp curve with a plunging cliff beneath. The pass reaches an altitude of 1,281 feet at its summitThe pass separates the Furness Fells from the Bowfell-Crinkle Crags massif.

At the top of the Wrynose Pass is the Three Shire Stone, marking the meeting point of the counties of Cumberland, Lancaster and Westmorland.

Farm

At the bottom of Wrynose is Fell Foot Farm, a 17th century, Grade II listed, National Trust property.

Wrynose Pass, Wrynose Bottom and the River Duddon