Things to Know Before Driving To Great Dun Fell in Cumbria

Great Dun Fell is a mountain peak at an elevation of 848m (2,782ft) above the sea level, located in Cumbria, in England. It’s said to be the highest paved road in Britain.

What is on top of Great Dun Fell?

Set high in the Pennines mountain range, on a barren landscape, the summit hosts a radar station, key part of the Air Traffic Control system for Northern England and Southern Scotland. The radar domes are visible for a good forty miles around. The construction of this radar station led to the repaving of a tarred road to the summit, which became Britain's highest road.

How long is the road to Great Dun Fell?

Starting at Knock, the road to the summit is 7.29 km (4.52 miles) long. The climb has been dubbed as the Ventoux of the North Pennines. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Is Great Dun Fell steep?

The elevation gain is 593 meters, with an average percentage of 8.1 %. The climb can be split into several distinguishable sections – each no less grueling than the last as the gradient rises towards one-in-four. It hits a 16% through some of the ramps.

Can you drive to the top Great Dun Fell?

The paved road to the Great Dun Fell is marked as private from just above the village of Knock, and not open to public motor vehicles. However, it is a bridleway until shortly before the radar station, so it is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The summit greedily hoards snow in winter and black ice is a serious hazard during the colder months. 
Pic: Dan Joyce