Live status for the Winnats Pass road at Castleton, in the Peak District.
Find out if Winnats Pass is open before you set off.
TomTom data last updated: 17 Oct, 11:29 · rechecked every 15 min
Sparrowpit (A623) → Castleton
Normally 7 min · about the same as usual
Castleton → Sparrowpit (A623)
Normally 7 min · about the same as usual
Measured between Castleton and Sparrowpit (A623) (via Winnats Pass)
Roadworks
7°C
Partly cloudy · feels like 4°
Each hour shows chance of rain and wind gusts. Hours with gusts of 40 mph or more, temperatures near freezing, poor visibility, or sleet or snow are highlighted.
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Winnats Pass is a steep limestone gorge just west of Castleton in the Peak District. The road through it climbs at gradients of up to about 1 in 5 (20%) between high rock walls, and it took over as the through route from Castleton after the A625 over Mam Tor was abandoned to landslip in 1979.
The pass is narrow, exposed and unlit. It closes at short notice for snow, ice, high winds and fallen rock, and it is not suitable for large vehicles, the road is restricted to vehicles under 7.5 tonnes and closed to buses and coaches.
Winnats Pass is part of the route for Stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which will start in Great Britain in 2027. On Saturday 31 July 2027, riders will race 154.4km from Manchester to Sheffield, with close to 3,000 metres of climbing.
After leaving Manchester through Stockport, Marple and New Mills, the peloton heads into the Peak District to take on Winnats Pass (1.4km at an average of 12.3%) and then Snake Pass (5.4km at 4.6%). The stage ends in Sheffield with short, steep climbs including Oughtibridge and Jenkin Road, both used when the men’s Tour de France finished in the city in 2014, and a finish on Attercliffe Common.
Expect Winnats Pass, and the roads around Castleton, to be closed to traffic for much of race day, with large crowds on the climb. Road closure times will be announced nearer the event, so check this page and official updates before you travel.
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If Winnats Pass is shut, these higher Pennine routes are the main alternatives — each has its own live status page.
The A57 Snake Pass between Glossop and Ladybower is the next route north over the Peak District.
The A628 Woodhead Pass is the main Trans-Pennine lorry route further north, between Tintwistle and Barnsley.
The live status at the top of this page shows whether Winnats Pass is currently open, closed or slow. It is based on live traffic and incident data and refreshes roughly every 15 minutes, so a very recent closure may take a short while to appear. Always follow road signs and police instructions on the day.
The most common reasons are snow and ice in winter, when the steep gradient makes the road impassable, along with high winds, fallen rock from the gorge walls, flooding, accidents and planned roadworks. Because the road is exposed and unlit, it can close at short notice, especially overnight or in severe weather.
No for lorries and coaches: the road is restricted to vehicles under 7.5 tonnes and closed to buses and coaches. Caravans, large motorhomes and vehicles towing trailers are strongly advised to find another route, as the pass is narrow with gradients of up to about 1 in 5 (20%), leaving little room to pass oncoming traffic or restart on the hill.
For local journeys between Castleton and the Chapel-en-le-Frith side, the usual alternative is to head east from Castleton towards Bradwell and join the A623 through Peak Forest. For longer trips across the Peak District, the A57 Snake Pass and A628 Woodhead Pass are the main alternatives — check their live status first, as they are often affected by the same weather.
Winnats Pass is one of the best-known cycling climbs in England and is popular with walkers heading to Castleton, Mam Tor and the nearby show caves. There is no pavement and the road is narrow, so take care with traffic, wear visible clothing and avoid it in icy or poor weather. Drivers should give cyclists plenty of room on the climb.