Lake District driving routes: a 2-day itinerary

The Lake District is not somewhere to rush.

You can cover plenty of ground in a weekend, but the best drives are the ones that leave room for a walk by the water or the road that looks interesting enough to add to the plan. The passes are the headline act, but they work best when they are part of a wider route rather than a checklist to complete.

This two-day Lake District road trip itinerary links some of the area’s most memorable roads, including Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands and Hardknott. It is built for drivers who want the road to be part of the weekend, while being honest about the passes that may not suit every car or every driver.

For the broader regional overview, route ideas and more ways to shape your trip, start with our Lake District road trip guide.

The Lake District as a driving destination

The best Lake District driving routes change character quickly.

One moment you are following a broad valley road alongside water, the next you are on a narrower climb with stone walls and blind bends. That is what makes the area such a good driving destination. The roads are not just a way of getting between viewpoints. They are part of the reason to come.

You need to plan around the reality of the place. Main roads can be busy, while the smaller passes are steep, narrow and slower than they look on a map. The Lake District National Park specifically advises drivers not to rely only on sat nav, noting that roads including Hardknott and Honister are among the country’s steepest, with tight corners and single-track sections.

A two-day trip gives you enough time to enjoy the standout roads without trying to force in every pass. Base yourself in Windermere or Keswick, pick the sections that suit your car and confidence, then let the rest of the route stay flexible.

The great passes: Hardknott, Kirkstone, Honister and Newlands

These are some of the best drives in the Lake District, but they are not all the same proposition.

Hardknott Pass

Hardknott is the one everyone talks about, and for good reason.

It has steep climbs and tight hairpins. Its most severe sections are commonly described as around 30%, and it is widely regarded as one of the toughest paved passes in the UK.

That does not mean you have to drive it to have a great Lake District weekend. Hardknott is best treated as an optional section for drivers in suitable cars who are comfortable with very steep gradients, narrow road width and the chance of needing to wait or reverse for oncoming traffic.

If you do include it, take your time. Avoid trying it in poor visibility, icy conditions or when the road is busy. Check current access, weather, local advice and the suitability of your vehicle before setting off.

Kirkstone Pass

Kirkstone is a more approachable mountain pass for many drivers, though it still deserves respect.

The A592 climbs from the Windermere and Ambleside side towards Ullswater, with open views, long bends and a more flowing feel than Hardknott. It can be a brilliant road for linking a southern Lakes base with the eastern side of the national park.

The road is still steep in places, especially around The Struggle above Ambleside, and weather can change the experience. If Hardknott feels like too much for your car or confidence, Kirkstone is a strong alternative that still gives the weekend a proper mountain-road feel.

Honister Pass

Honister links Borrowdale and Buttermere on the B5289. It is steep, narrow in sections and surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery in the western Lakes.

It is a road worth including in a Keswick-based route, but don’t assume it will be quick. The Lake District National Park lists Honister alongside Hardknott as one of the country’s steepest roads, and advises drivers to allow extra time on narrow routes.

Pair it with Borrowdale, Buttermere or Derwentwater and enjoy the wider route, rather than seeing it as something to tick off the list.

Newlands Pass

Newlands Hause is quieter and less intimidating than the biggest-name passes, but that is part of its appeal.

It runs through the Newlands Valley between Keswick and Buttermere, with narrower sections, changing views and a more relaxed feel than the main mountain crossings. It is a useful option when you want a road that still feels properly Lakeland without committing to Hardknott.

For drivers based in Keswick, Newlands works particularly well as part of a western loop with Buttermere and Honister. It is also a sensible reminder that you do not need to chase the steepest road for the drive to feel special.

A two-day driving itinerary linking the best of the Lake District

This is a flexible two-day Lake District driving itinerary, not a route to follow without personalising it first. Adjust it around your car, weather, traffic and how much time you want outside the car.

Day 1: Windermere, Kirkstone and the central Lakes

Start from Windermere or Bowness-on-Windermere, then head north towards Ambleside. From here, Kirkstone Pass gives you a memorable climb towards Ullswater, with plenty of reason to stop and take in the views when it is safe to do so.

From Ullswater, make your way back towards the central Lakes using the more practical main roads, then spend the afternoon linking quieter sections around Grasmere, Rydal Water or Coniston, depending on your pace.

This first day is about building confidence in the area. Kirkstone offers a proper pass, while the rest of the route gives you room to enjoy the lakes, villages and roadside stops.

Day 2: Keswick, Honister, Newlands and the western Lakes

Base yourself in Keswick for the second day, or make the journey north from Windermere early.

Start by heading through Borrowdale towards Honister Pass. The road becomes more dramatic as you climb, then drops towards Buttermere, where it is worth slowing down and making time for a proper stop.

From Buttermere, take Newlands Pass back towards Keswick. This creates a brilliant loop that gives you steep sections, narrow roads, open valley views and a little more space to enjoy the drive.

Hardknott should only be added if you are staying in the western Lakes, have enough time and have checked that the roads suit both you and your car. Trying to bolt them onto an already full day from Keswick is the easiest way to turn a good weekend into a tiring one.

Which passes to attempt and which to skip by car and confidence

The Lake District is not about proving anything. Pick roads you will enjoy.

Consider Kirkstone, Honister and Newlands if you:

• Want a proper mountain-road experience without making the whole trip about one difficult pass
• Are driving a standard road car and are comfortable with hills, bends and occasional narrow sections
• Want routes that work well from Windermere or Keswick

Think carefully about Hardknott if you:

• Are in a low, wide, long or heavily loaded vehicle
• Are travelling in a camper or towing
• Are not comfortable with steep gradients, narrow lanes or hairpins
• Are driving in poor weather, low cloud, ice or busy holiday traffic

The right decision will vary from day to day. The National Park advises checking the route for narrowness and gradient, following signs and local directions, and allowing plenty of time.

Where to base yourself for a weekend

Windermere is the practical base for a southern and central Lakes weekend. Basing yourself here gives you straightforward access to Ambleside, Kirkstone, Coniston, Langdale and the main roads in and out of the area. It also makes sense if you want more accommodation, food and evening options close by.

Keswick is the better base if Honister, Newlands, Borrowdale and Buttermere are high on your list. It feels closer to the northern and western roads, and makes Day 2 easier without a long repositioning drive.

If you only have two days, choose one base rather than moving accommodation. You will spend less time checking in and out, meaning more time driving roads worth waking up for.

For other ideas around the country, see our best UK road trips or, if you are starting in the capital, explore the best road trips from London.

Build this Lake District route with New Roads

The best Lake District route for your weekend depends on the car you drive.

Tell New Roads where you are starting, how long you have and which roads you want to include or avoid. It will then build a bespoke trip around your car, with roads, stops, accommodation suggestions and petrol or electric vehicle information where supported.

Before you commit to a narrow mountain road, use the vehicle suitability report as an advisory check for the car you are taking. If something does not look right, ask the chat to adjust the route, save the updated plan in My Trips and export it to Google Maps or GPX where available.

Explore New Roads features, then build your two-day Lake District route around the roads you actually want to drive.

AI can make mistakes. Always check routes, parking, access, weather, tides, local restrictions, accommodation and vehicle suitability before travelling.