Snake Pass in England 2025

Snake Pass or A57 is a hilly road in the Derbyshire section of the Peak District, which is connecting Manchester and Sheffield. The section of road, crossing the Pennines between the Royal Oak Inn at Glossop and the Ladybower Reservoir at Ashopton, in 2009, it was listed as one of the best driving roads by Auto Trader magazine. Its highest point reaches 512 m (1679 ft) above sea level. The road was named after the Snake Inn on its higher section, which, in its turn, was named after the Cavendish arms of William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire.

Snake Pass was built in 1821 and designed by Thomas Telford. It is no longer the main signposted route Manchester and Sheffield, but it is very popular among cyclists, motorcyclists and car drivers for its scenic beauty. It has served as a track for a semi-professional cycling race, like the Tour of Britain. The road gets regularly closed in winter due to snow or heavy rain. It is best to be used from April to October.

Snake Pass starts east of Glossop and climbs to the Pennines between the Kinder Scout and Bleaklow to its highest point where it crosses the Pennine Way. After this, it passes the famous Snake Inn and goes down through the woods to the Ladybower Reservoir at Ashopton.