Is Bamford Clough in the Peak District the steepest road in England?

Located in the Peak District of England, Bamford Clough could be the steepest road in the world. A road sign warns drivers of a 35 percent gradient and that the way ahead is 'unsuitable for motor vehicles'.

Bamford Clough

Where is Bamford Clough?

The road, also known as The Clough, is situated in the Peak District of Derbyshire, close to the River Derwent, just behind the local primary school.

Is the Bamford Clough paved?

The road was previously a lane that turned into a track, and between 2020 and 2021, it received a pristine layer of smooth tarmac.

How steep is the Bamford Clough?

The road is 0.64km (0.4 miles) long, running from Taggs Knoll to New Road. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 142m. The average gradient is 21 percent and hits a 36.5 percent maximum gradient through some of the ramps. At its apex, the slope measures 36.5 percent, not just at a single moment but for a good few meters. The climb is hard all the way from the village, but passing the first 35 percent warning is where things take a turn for the extreme.

Is the Bamford Clough open to vehicles?

Nobody understands why this road was paved, and then a newly installed road sign at the bottom of the lane warns drivers that the way ahead is 'unsuitable for motor vehicles'. It’s blocked with rocks until further notice. Cyclists can go around the barriers to sample its delights, but it's uncertain what the plans are for vehicles.

What’s the steepest road in Britain?

The steepest road in Britain is officially Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, in North Wales, according to Guinness World Records, hitting a 37.45 percent maximum gradient. But Bamford Clough in the Peak District might be a hard contender.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez