Kirkstone and Ullswater

Over the highest road pass in the Lake District and down to Ullswater: up The Struggle from Ambleside to the inn on Kirkstone, past Brothers Water, and along the lake by Glenridding and Aira Force to Pooley Bridge.

The drive

The Struggle climbs straight out of the middle of Ambleside to the top of Kirkstone. It's steep, narrow and well named. At the top, the Kirkstone Pass Inn has sheltered travellers for centuries.

The A592 drops down the far side, steeply at first, past Brothers Water and through Patterdale to Glenridding, where the steamers set off along Ullswater.

The road follows the lake's western shore through the woods to Aira Force, a waterfall a short walk from the car park, and on to the foot of the lake at Pooley Bridge.

Worth knowing

• The Struggle is steep and narrow, with walls close on both sides. The A592 from Windermere through Troutbeck is gentler, and meets it at the top.
• Kirkstone closes in snow.
• Aira Force's car park belongs to the National Trust, and it's busy on fine days.