The Route GT Weekend Season Opener begins in the heart of the Lake District, immediately placing drivers onto two of the region’s most dramatic mountain roads. Honister Pass and Kirkstone Pass deliver steep climbs, tight technical sections and constantly shifting terrain. Once the Lakes have done their work, the route pushes east into the Pennines to take on Hartside Pass — a fast, flowing ascent that closes the weekend with pace, elevation and wide‑open visibility.
This is the Route GT Lakes Route, a season opener built deliberately for drivers. Intense in the Lakes. Expansive in the Pennines. A route that starts hard and finishes fast.
Honister Pass — Steep, Technical and Immediately Engaging
Honister Pass sets the tone from the first metre. The gradient rises sharply, the road narrows and the landscape closes in. Slate, crags and exposed rock faces create a dramatic, almost cinematic climb between Borrowdale and Buttermere.
At the summit sits Honister Slate Mine, one of the last working slate mines in England. Its industrial heritage adds weight to the atmosphere — slate stacks, sharp textures and a rugged backdrop that amplifies the sense of elevation. Honister is a tight, technical road with stunning scenery, where line choice matters and every bend demands precision. It’s a climb that rewards controlled throttle input, confident placement and a steady, committed approach.
Honister is the Lake District at its most intense.
Kirkstone Pass — High, Open and Built for Flow
Leaving Honister behind, the route rises again towards Kirkstone Pass. As the highest paved road in the Lake District, it offers a completely different driving character. The ascent from Ambleside is progressive, with long sightlines and a blend of flowing straights and tighter technical corners.
This is a road where rhythm becomes everything. Smooth inputs and balanced weight transfer make the climb feel clean and controlled. The landscape opens up as you rise, giving you time to plan ahead and settle into a steady, purposeful flow. Kirkstone feels elevated, structured and rewarding — a high road that invites confident, measured driving.
Hartside Pass — Fast, Flowing and Built for Pace
After the intensity of the Lake District, the route pushes east into the Pennines to take on Hartside Pass. The change in terrain is immediate. The road widens, the sightlines stretch out and the gradients become smoother and more progressive.
Hartside is a driver’s reward — a fast, flowing ascent where the car can breathe again. The climb is long, open and beautifully predictable, allowing for confident, measured pace. The views across the Pennines are vast, giving the entire ascent a sense of freedom after the tight, technical nature of the Lake District.
It’s the perfect way to close the weekend: a final, sweeping climb that feels clean, controlled and deeply satisfying.
A Route Designed for Drivers
Starting in the Lake District ensures the weekend begins with intensity. Honister is steep, technical and atmospheric. Kirkstone is elevated, flowing and controlled. Once the Lakes have delivered their challenge, Hartside Pass in the Pennines brings pace, openness and a completely different driving rhythm.
This is a route built with purpose — a season opener that starts hard, evolves naturally and finishes unforgettable. It’s exactly the kind of experience Route GT is known for, forming part of our wider collection of UK driving tours designed for drivers who want more than just scenery.
The Start of the Season, Done Properly
Beginning the year with these three roads sets a clear tone for everything that follows. The terrain shifts, the driving style changes and the atmosphere builds mile by mile. It’s a start that feels sharp, refined and unmistakably Route GT.
To explore more of our routes, visit the Lakes Route page
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