Snake Pass + Peak District
Cobblestone villages, Bronte-novel moors, and the moodiest 14 miles of road in England
- Distance
- 65 mi
- 104 km
- Driving
- 2 hr
- excl. stops
- Suggested
- 3 days
- balanced split
- Stops
- 7
- curated
Distance and driving time are measured along the mapped route through the 7 stops listed below. Officially signed versions of famous routes often quote a longer figure, since they include promoted detours this line doesn't take.
Opens the planner with every stop loaded. Free, no card needed.
Day by day
Distances are measured along the actual road geometry, not straight-line. Drive times exclude stops, traffic and ferry waits.
Before you go
Best time to drive it
Late June to September
High passes close for winter and reopen when the snow clears, in 2026 the Swiss trio of Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen only reopened on 29 May. Check the pass status before committing to dates.
Indicative costs
- Fuel (40 mpg petrol)£11
- TollsFree
Tolls assume ~65% of the distance on tolled road. Fuel prices move constantly: treat these as a range, not a quote.
Driving rules
Emission zones, mandatory equipment and licence requirements change country by country, and in 2026 several of them changed mid-year.
Driving in United KingdomEvery stop on the Snake Pass + Peak District
- 1Sheffield
- 2Snake Pass (A57)
- 3Glossop
- 4Castleton
- 5Bakewell
- 6Chatsworth House
- 7Eyam
Worth a detour
Curated places within 25 km of the road.
Peak District National Park
national parkBritain's first national park, featuring gritstone edges, limestone dales, and rolling moorland.
Chatsworth House
landmarkMagnificent stately home of the Duke of Devonshire set in expansive parkland, housing one of Europe's most significant art collections.
Stanage Edge
natural wonderDramatic gritstone escarpment stretching for nearly 4 miles across the Peak District, beloved by rock climbers and walkers alike.
Mam Tor
scenic viewpointKnown as the 'Shivering Mountain' for its unstable layers, this Peak District summit offers spectacular views along the Great Ridge to Lose Hill.
Ladybower Inn
cafeA traditional inn at the junction of Snake Pass and the A57 in the Peak District, a beloved meeting point for bikers and drivers tackling England's famous Snake Pass.
Cat and Fiddle Inn
cafeA historic pub near the summit of the A537 Cat and Fiddle Road between Buxton and Macclesfield, once named Britain's most dangerous road and a famous biking destination.
Matlock Bath Motorcycle Strip
landmarkThe entire riverside parade at Matlock Bath transforms into the UK's most famous bike meet every sunny weekend.
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
cafeManchester's cycling culture hub offering specialty coffee, kit, and a community space for riding enthusiasts.
Snake Pass
famous roadA twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
Cat and Fiddle Road
famous roadA thrilling moorland road between Macclesfield and Buxton in the Peak District, one of the UK's most famous driving roads.
Winnats Pass
scenic viewpointA steep, narrow limestone gorge with towering pinnacles on either side, creating one of the Peak District's most dramatic drives.
Snake Pass Summit
scenic viewpointThe highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
Common questions about the Snake Pass + Peak District
How long does the Snake Pass + Peak District take?
The driving itself is about 2 hr across 65 miles (104 km). Most people spread it over 3 days: the day-by-day breakdown on this page splits it into balanced stretches rather than equal ones, so no single day is all driving.
How many miles is the Snake Pass + Peak District?
65 miles, or 104 km, measured along the actual road rather than straight-line between towns.
When is the best time to drive the Snake Pass + Peak District?
Late June to September. High passes close for winter and reopen when the snow clears, in 2026 the Swiss trio of Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen only reopened on 29 May. Check the pass status before committing to dates.
What does the Snake Pass + Peak District cost in fuel?
Roughly £11 in fuel for a petrol car averaging 40 mpg. Motorways on this route are toll-free. Indicative only: fuel prices move.
More routes like this
UK
Atlantic Highway A39: North Cornwall
Cornish surf beaches, smuggler's coves, and the Westcountry pasty trail
86 mi · 2 hr 30 min
UK
Causeway Coastal Route
Belfast to Derry along Northern Ireland's cliff-edge coast, via Game of Thrones country
124 mi · 3 hr 18 min
UK
NC500: North Coast 500
Scotland's answer to Route 66: 516 miles of mountains, single-track roads, and empty beaches
469 mi · 11 hr 24 min
Italy
Amalfi Coast Drive
30 miles of stomach-churning sea-cliff hairpins, lemon groves, and pastel villages
42 mi · 1 hr 24 min
France
Verdon Gorge: Route des Crêtes
Europe's deepest canyon, turquoise water 700m below, and a clifftop road with no barriers
65 mi · 3 hr
Germany
Black Forest High Road (B500)
Cuckoo clocks, dark-wood villages, cake, and a high road that floats above the canopy
98 mi · 3 hr 12 min