Current status
Permit only
Lake District National Park Authority permit scheme: Gatescarth Pass is closed to ordinary motor traffic and only open to motorcycles on specific permit days (the first Friday, Saturday or Sunday of each month, gate combination available 9am-4pm), with a quota of 18 motorcycles/day and a minimum group size of 2, no solo riders. Not legal to ride without a valid permit on a permit day. Separately, 4x4 vehicles are currently prohibited entirely due to a structural safety issue with the Gatescarth Beck bridge, motorcycles are not affected by that specific restriction.
Council or park authority order.
Check its status nowOpens a search for any current Traffic Regulation Order on Gatescarth Pass, the same Legal Status Search as in the app. Status checked against our data on 23/09/2026.
Where it runs
Gatescarth Pass in red, with the lanes around it.
- AThe north end
- BThe south end, near Sadgill
Exact start points, GPX and navigation are in Premium.
Unlock →On the lane
- Requires a permit for vehicular access (Sadgill to Mardale), confirmed directly against the Lake District National Park Authority's own unsealed roads register. Not open to turn up and ride, arrange access in advance.
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Lanes nearby
The closest named lanes, measured from Gatescarth Pass.
- Hall Lane4.6 km south · 0.5 km long›
- Crookdale Bridge6.6 km east · 0.0 km long
- Dubbs Road6.7 km southwest · 2.7 km long›
- Breast High Road7.2 km southeast · 3.2 km long›
- Low Gate7.5 km southwest · 0.5 km long
See every lane in the park, its closures and GPX routes›
Questions riders ask
Is Gatescarth Pass open to motorcycles?
Gatescarth Pass currently carries a restriction: permit only. Ordinary motor traffic is not allowed while it applies. Always check the current position before riding.
How long is Gatescarth Pass?
About 4.6 km, measured across all 11 of its mapped sections. Its two ends are around 5.2 km apart in a straight line.
Where does Gatescarth Pass start and finish?
It runs north to south near Sadgill, in Cumbria. The map on this page shows both ends.
Is Gatescarth Pass in a national park?
Yes, Gatescarth Pass runs through the Lake District National Park. Some national park authorities make their own Traffic Regulation Orders, so it's worth checking the park's restrictions as well as the council's.
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Open the map, free Every named lane in CumbriaLane data from OpenStreetMap contributors and council rights of way records. Place names © OpenStreetMap contributors. Reference only: legal status changes, check signage and current Traffic Regulation Orders before riding.