Top 5 Mountain Passes around Hawes

The Hawes area in the Yorkshire Dales is home to several significant mountain passes. Among the most notable are Buttertubs Pass Climb from Hawes, famous for its unique limestone potholes and challenging gradients, and Fleet Moss Climb from Oughtershaw, which is Yorkshire's highest road, offering remote landscapes and steep sections. Another popular choice is Kidstones Pass, known for its varied ascent and great views.

The mountain passes around Hawes offer diverse terrain. You'll encounter challenging climbs with gradients up to 17-20% on passes like Buttertubs Pass Climb from Hawes and Fleet Moss Climb from Oughtershaw. Some roads, like Fleet Moss, can have less-than-ideal surfaces, adding to the rugged, remote feel. Other passes, such as Newby Head Pass, feature quality tarmac but are exposed to strong winds, offering a 'brutally open' or 'gloriously open' experience depending on the weather.

While many passes offer challenging climbs, some sections or approaches can be more accessible. For instance, the Gated Pass to Fleet Moss is noted as family-friendly, leading through a beautiful valley. When planning, look for routes described as 'intermediate' or with gentler starts, such as the initial section of Kidstones Pass out of Buckden.

The mountain passes around Hawes are rich in natural beauty and offer stunning viewpoints. Buttertubs Pass Climb from Hawes is famous for its unique limestone potholes at the summit and provides spectacular views of Swaledale. Fleet Moss Climb from Oughtershaw, as Yorkshire's highest road, offers incredible remote landscapes. Newby Head Pass is celebrated for some of the best scenery in the Dales, while Kidstones Pass provides great views, especially of waterfalls after rain.

The area around Hawes and its mountain passes is ideal for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking opportunities, from easy walks to challenging waterfall hikes. Road cycling is also very popular, with routes incorporating the famous passes. For detailed routes and guides, explore options like Easy hikes around Hawes, Road Cycling Routes around Hawes, and Waterfall hikes around Hawes.

Yes, there are many hiking trails. For instance, you can find easy hikes like the Haylands Bridge and Gayle Beck waterfall loop from Hawes. For more challenging options, consider the Hardraw Force Waterfall and Cotterdale loop. These trails often provide access to or views of the surrounding passes. You can find more details in the Easy hikes around Hawes and Waterfall hikes around Hawes guides.

The best time to visit generally depends on your activity. Spring and summer offer milder weather, making them ideal for cycling and hiking, with lush green landscapes. However, the passes can be 'brutally open' to strong winds, especially Newby Head Pass, so always check weather conditions. Winter can bring snow and ice, making some passes challenging or impassable, particularly for cycling, but offering a different, stark beauty for experienced winter walkers.

Weather conditions on the mountain passes can change rapidly. They are often exposed to strong winds, as noted for Newby Head Pass. Rain can also make descents more technical, as mentioned for Kidstones Pass, and can lead to spectacular waterfalls. Always be prepared for varying conditions, even on a single day, and check forecasts before heading out.

Cycling these passes often involves significant challenges. Buttertubs Pass Climb from Hawes features gradients up to 17-20%, while Fleet Moss Climb from Oughtershaw is steep with a surface that isn't always ideal. Descents can be fast but require caution due to technical sections, narrow roads, and potential potholes. Always watch out for sheep and lambs, especially in springtime, as they can be unpredictable on the roads.

Visitors frequently praise the spectacular scenery and the sense of accomplishment from conquering challenging routes. The unique features, like the limestone potholes on Buttertubs Pass Climb from Hawes, add charm. The remote feel of places like Fleet Moss Climb from Oughtershaw and the 'best scenery in the Dales' along Newby Head Pass are also highly appreciated. The komoot community has collectively given these passes over 100 upvotes and shared many photos, highlighting their appeal.

While specific parking details for each pass are not always listed, Hawes itself is a market town that serves as a starting point for exploring the natural landscape, implying parking options are available within the town or at common access points for routes. For remote passes, roadside pull-ins or designated parking areas at trailheads are common, but it's advisable to research specific access points for your chosen route.

Yes, Buttertubs Pass Climb from Hawes has a charming historical anecdote. It's said that farmers would lower their butter into the unique limestone potholes at the summit to keep it cool while resting on their way to market in Hawes. This pass also gained modern fame by being featured as a 'King of the Mountains' climb in the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart.