A pass in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Buttertubs Pass

From Hawes to ThwaiteAmong the best 5% of roads for 15 miles round

Length: 3.1 mi
Climbing: 902 ft
Highest point: 1,726 ft
Steepest: 18%

Map of Buttertubs Pass, from Hawes to Thwaite, on its contours. — Contours from open elevation data. Road © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Its bends, along ittwistiest at the dashed line

The road over from Wensleydale to Swaledale, named after the limestone potholes beside it near the top: the Buttertubs, where farmers are said to have cooled their butter on the way to market. From Hawes it climbs onto open fell, crosses the top, and drops into Swaledale with the valley laid out below it.

It's narrow in places and unfenced on the tops, with sheep on the road. The Tour de France came over it in 2014, and cyclists still do, so give them room. Stop at the potholes and walk over to look: they're a few steps from the road.

Gentle bends
Hills either side
Through the Yorkshire Dales National Park

More roads

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The A57, in the Peak District National Park
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The A537, in the Peak District National Park
The Cat and Fiddle
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