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The road has an extreme gradient, no barriers, sharp hairpin turns and is the width of a bridleway – and is loved by some and hated by others

The UK’s wildest road was built by the Romans, is filled with sharp hairpin turns and is the width of a bridleway – so it’s no surprise drivers are willing to take an hour detour to avoid travelling on it.

The Hardknott Pass in the Lake District has an extreme gradient, no barriers and is notorious for breakdowns, accidents and being impassable in dangerous weather. While some people drive the route for the breath-taking views, those local to the area regularly beg inexperienced tourists to stay away.

Technically the Hardknott Pass is the most direct route from the central Lake District to West Cumbria but it is considered so difficult that drivers often decide to take an hour-long detour to avoid twisting up a single-track slalom on a mountainside.

It’s 13 miles long and has been described as one of Britain’s most outrageous roads – leading many to wonder whether it should remain a carriageway or be closed to traffic and instead celebrated as a national treasure.

The road has a long and celebrated history – it was originally laid by the Romans around 110AD and led to the dramatic stronghold at the top of the pass known today as Hardknott Fort.

After the Romans left, the road lingered unloved and uncared for until the 1880s when a local hotelier association paid for some improvements.

Later in 1913, the first motor vehicles drove over the pass and tanks during World War II where tested on the road which was eaten up so much by the heavy armoury that it had to be rebuilt.

Many reviews of the road reflect the opposing opinions of the pass.

One reviewer wrote: “Absolutely fantastic! I’ve been driving for years and am confident in my abilities so this proved an easy drive for me. Once over the peak, it’s definitely worth a stop at the old fort to take in the views, which are just stunning.”

Another said: “Satnav sent me this way, so we stumbled across it by accident. I consider myself a confident driver but it was a real mental challenge. The single track for two cars was challenging as the front wheel hung over the edge whilst rocks were crumbling. Sadly I could not appreciate the views at all as surviving felt more important.”

Have you taken on a particularly incredible UK road trip? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com