Detour #25: Snake Pass, Peak District, UK
Luke Thornton / Unsplash
“A rush along a zigzag road. Surprised the damned, by mouth of toad. A shop where you cannot reload. The way to Hyde.” So sang the Human League in The Snake about the notorious A57.
We’re not quite sure about that weird toad part, but a rush along a zigzag road definitely describes a drive down Snake Pass in the Peak District.
On a good day (see photo) this 14-mile stretch of sinewy Thomas Telford-engineered tarmac affords glorious views of the Pennines. Rising to an elevation of 1,680 feet it’s one of the highest roads in England.
Leaving Hyde and Glossop behind you climb through open moorland, all enticing open sweeping bends which could be taken at quite a clip if it weren’t for the 50mph speed limit and the average speed cameras that enforce it.
That said, on Detour’s last visit the rain was torrential, with great lakes of standing water and rivers flowing mid-corner. In our ancient Alfa that 50mph felt plenty quick enough.
Coming down from the summit, and passing the Snake Pass Inn, forest closes in on Snake Pass, the corners become tighter, the straights shorter and peak speed less relevant. The fun stuff ends at the impressively-arboreal twin branches of the Ladybower reservoir.
While you’re in the area don’t leave without tackling the Cat and Fiddle and Winnats Pass. Together this trifecta of roads really is the peak of the district.
Roadbook
Class: Mountain Pass
Name: A57 Snake Pass
Route: Glossop to Ladybower Reservoir
Country: UK
Distance: 14 miles