Airport as the gateway to the Peak District.” class=”wp-image-828″/>- Route difficulty ratings
- Safety tips
- Best-for recommendations
- Manchester Airport access guide
The Peak District was Britain’s first national park, and it remains one of the country’s finest places to drive. From the wild moorland of Snake Pass to the dramatic limestone gorge of Winnats Pass, its roads pack huge variety into a compact area, and it is the closest national park to Manchester, barely an hour from the airport. These are the best Peak District scenic drives, eight routes from thrilling mountain passes to gentle valleys of stately homes, each chosen for the scenery it delivers. A hire car is the only way to link them, and the Peak District is the easiest of all the northern parks to reach.
The Best Peak District Scenic Drives at a Glance
If you only have time for one of the best scenic drives in the Peak District, make it Snake Pass for wild moorland or Winnats Pass for sheer drama. Here are all eight of the best Peak District scenic drives at a glance, with distance and difficulty so you can match a route to your time.
| Scenic drive | Distance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Snake Pass (A57) | Approx 24 miles | Moderate, winding, exposed |
| Winnats Pass (Castleton) | Approx 1 mile | Hard, steep 20% gorge |
| Cat and Fiddle (A537) | Approx 12 miles | Moderate, speed cameras |
| Hope Valley and Mam Tor | Approx 10 miles | Easy to moderate |
| Derwent Valley and the Dams | Approx 8 miles | Easy |
| Bakewell and Chatsworth | Approx 12 miles | Easy |
| Holme Moss (A6024) | Approx 10 miles | Moderate, high and exposed |
| The Eastern Edges (Curbar and Baslow) | Approx 10 miles | Easy to moderate |
What You Need to Know Before Driving in the Peak District
IMPORTANT: The high passes can be demanding. Winnats Pass is a steep, narrow gorge with gradients around 20%, and Snake Pass and Holme Moss are high, exposed moorland roads that can close in winter snow and ice. Take the steep climbs slowly in a low gear, use passing places on the narrow lanes, and watch for cyclists, sheep and walkers.
The UK drives on the left. Many of the best scenic drives in the Peak District cross high, open moorland where the weather changes fast, so check conditions before you set off, especially in winter when Snake Pass and Holme Moss can be closed by snow. The Cat and Fiddle road is monitored by average-speed cameras, so keep to the limit and enjoy the views rather than the speed.
Mobile signal can drop out on the moors, so download your route offline first, and fill up with fuel in the larger towns such as Buxton, Bakewell or Glossop before a long day on the back roads. For official guidance, the Peak District National Park site has visitor and access information, and the UK government driving pages cover the rules of the road.
Drive 1: Snake Pass
The most famous road in the Peak District, Snake Pass (the A57) climbs over the wild moorland of the Dark Peak between Glossop and the Ladybower Reservoir. Reaching 510 metres, it is one of the highest and most dramatic A-roads in England, winding through huge, empty Pennine landscapes with views that on a clear day stretch all the way to Manchester.
The road takes its name from the old Snake Inn rather than its many bends, though it has plenty of those too. The descent towards Ladybower, with its woodland and sweeping reservoir views, is just as memorable as the climb. It is one of those Peak District scenic drives that changes completely with the weather, so pick a clear day and take your time. Note that it can close in winter snow.
Drive 2: Winnats Pass
Short but unforgettable, Winnats Pass is the most dramatic single stretch of road in the Peak District. This steep, narrow gorge near Castleton cuts between towering limestone cliffs, the remains of a collapsed underground cave system, and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest rich in 350-million-year-old fossils. With gradients around 20%, it is a thrilling drive in either direction.
For the best experience, drive down from Sparrowpit towards Castleton, when the view opens up dramatically from behind the high rock faces. It is over in a flash, so take it slowly. One of the most thrilling Peak District scenic drives, pair it with a visit to Castleton’s show caverns, where the rare Blue John stone is mined, or a walk up nearby Mam Tor.
Drive 3: The Cat and Fiddle Road
One of the most famous of all the Peak District scenic drives, the Cat and Fiddle (the A537) runs for around 12 miles over the moors between Buxton and Macclesfield. A succession of sweeping bends and hairpins through wild, high country, it is a favourite of driving enthusiasts and motorcyclists, and is named after the old Cat and Fiddle Inn near the summit, now a distillery you can visit.
A word of warning: the road is monitored by average-speed cameras along its length, so this is one to savour at a steady pace rather than rush. Driven sensibly, it is one of the most enjoyable scenic drives in the Peak District, with views over the moors the whole way.
Drive 4: The Hope Valley and Mam Tor
Among the gentlest of the Peak District scenic drives, the Hope Valley is the green heart of the national park, a broad, beautiful valley dotted with pretty stone villages. A drive through it takes in Castleton, with its caverns and the ruins of Peveril Castle, and the dramatic bulk of Mam Tor, the Shivering Mountain, whose summit gives sweeping views over Edale and the valley below.
The road up to the Mam Nick car park is a fine short drive, and from there a three-mile circular walk reaches the summit. This is one of the gentler Peak District drives, scenic touring through some of the loveliest country in the park, easily combined with Winnats Pass, which climbs out of the same valley.
Drive 5: The Derwent Valley and the Dams
North of Bamford, one of the most peaceful Peak District scenic drives follows the chain of reservoirs, Ladybower, Derwent and Howden, that supply much of the region’s water. The drive alongside them is one of the most peaceful in the Peak District, passing the magnificent neo-Gothic Derwent Dam, built in 1916 and famously used by the RAF’s Dambusters to practise their low-level runs in the Second World War.
The road runs for around eight miles through woodland and water, one of the most peaceful scenic drives in the Peak District. Note that the upper section beyond Fairholmes is closed to cars at busy times to protect the area, so check before you go, but the lower drive is open and lovely year-round.
Drive 6: Bakewell and Chatsworth
For the gentler, stately side of the Peak District scenic drives, the roads of the southern Derwent Valley link some of England’s grandest houses with classic market towns. Start in Bakewell, the park’s largest town and home of the famous Bakewell pudding, then follow the A6 and B-roads to Chatsworth House, the palatial seat of the Dukes of Devonshire set in vast landscaped grounds, and on to medieval Haddon Hall.
This is an easy, rolling drive through soft green countryside, perfect for combining scenic driving with a stately-home visit and afternoon tea. It is the ideal contrast to the wild moorland passes of the north and one of the most relaxing Peak District scenic drives.
Drive 7: Holme Moss
For the highest of all the Peak District scenic drives, head to Holme Moss (the A6024), which climbs to 524 metres on the wild northern moors near Holmfirth. A famous climb on the 2014 Tour de France, it is a long, exhilarating ascent onto exposed high ground topped by a landmark television transmitter mast, with enormous views in every direction.
This is bleak, beautiful moorland driving at its best, but the height and exposure mean it can be cold, windy and prone to closure in winter, so save it for a clear day. It pairs well with Snake Pass for a full day of Peak District scenic drives exploring the wild Dark Peak.
Drive 8: The Eastern Edges, Curbar and Baslow
Along the eastern side of the park, a string of dramatic gritstone escarpments, the Eastern Edges, rise above the Derwent Valley. The roads that run beneath and over them, around Curbar, Baslow and Bamford, are among the most rewarding Peak District scenic drives, offering some of the best views in the park, including the famous Surprise View near Hathersage, which lives up to its name as the landscape suddenly opens out beneath you.
This is an easy, rewarding drive with plenty of places to pull over for the views, and the edges themselves are a magnet for walkers and climbers. It makes a perfect final leg to your Peak District scenic drives, linking the wild north of the park with the gentler south.
Hiring a Car for Your Peak District Scenic Drives
The Peak District is wonderfully accessible, and a hire car is the best way to explore it. The nearest major airport is Manchester, only about an hour away, making the Peak District the closest national park to the airport and an ideal first stop on any northern road trip. For everything you need on collecting a car, the suppliers and the best rates, see our guide to car hire at Manchester Airport.
A smaller car is easier on the steep, narrow passes such as Winnats. Wherever you are heading in Britain, our UK car hire guide compares all the major suppliers in one search, with insurance and taxes included. Compare deals below and start planning your Peak District scenic drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scenic drive in the Peak District?
Snake Pass is the most famous scenic drive in the Peak District, a high, winding A-road across the wild Dark Peak moorland between Glossop and Ladybower Reservoir. For sheer drama, Winnats Pass near Castleton, a steep limestone gorge, is the most spectacular short drive, while the Cat and Fiddle road is the favourite of driving enthusiasts.
How long do you need to drive the Peak District?
A single drive such as Snake Pass or Winnats Pass takes 1 to 2 hours, while a loop linking the main routes can be done in a full day. To enjoy a good selection of the Peak District scenic drives along with the villages, caverns and stately homes, allow two to three days based in a town such as Bakewell, Buxton or Castleton.
Is Winnats Pass difficult to drive?
Winnats Pass is steep and narrow, with gradients of around 20%, so it requires care, especially in the wet when traction can be poor. It is short and well surfaced, and most drivers manage it comfortably in a low gear, but it is not suitable for large vehicles. Drive down from Sparrowpit towards Castleton for the best views of this, the most dramatic of the Peak District scenic drives.
When is the best time to drive in the Peak District?
Spring to autumn is best, when the days are long and the moors are at their most colourful. The high passes, Snake Pass and Holme Moss, can close in winter snow and ice, so check conditions before setting off. Summer weekends are busy around honeypots like Castleton and Bakewell, so start early to beat the crowds.
Which airport is best for a Peak District road trip?
Manchester Airport is by far the best gateway, only about an hour from the Peak District, making it the closest national park to the airport. It has a dedicated Car Rental Village with all the main suppliers. See our car hire Manchester Airport guide for details.
Plan Your Peak District Road Trip
From the wild heights of Snake Pass and Holme Moss to the limestone drama of Winnats and the stately calm of Chatsworth, these eight routes capture everything that makes the Peak District such rewarding driving country. Moorland passes, hidden valleys, grand houses and gritstone edges, all within an hour of Manchester and easily explored over a few days.
Pick up at Manchester Airport, head into the hills, and the Peak District is yours. Compare car hire deals below and start planning your Peak District scenic drives.
Exploring more of the North of England? Take a look at our Lake District scenic drives guide.