The A57 Snake Pass, winding its way across the Pennines, is one of the UK’s most famous and dramatic roads. Cutting through the heart of the Peak District National Park, this stretch of highway linking Manchester and Sheffield is as notorious for its spectacular beauty as it is for its challenging conditions and ongoing maintenance battles.
A Historic Transpennine Route
The road, colloquially known simply as “The Snake,” officially opened in 1821 as the Sheffield to Glossop Turnpike. It was built as the most direct route for trade between the burgeoning industrial cities of Sheffield and Manchester, substantially shortening the journey.
Contrary to popular belief, the name does not simply derive from its serpentine twists and turns. Instead, it is traced back to the emblem of one of its principal financiers, William Cavendish, the 6th Duke of Devonshire. His coat of arms featured a coiled serpent, which in turn gave its name to the Snake Inn (now the Snake Pass Inn), a landmark public house near the summit. The high point of the route, at approximately 1,680 feet (510 m) above sea level, is the actual Snake Pass, though the name is commonly used for the entire, approximately 26-mile section of the A57 Snake Pass.
A Driver’s Dream and a Maintenance Nightmare
The A57 Snake Pass is celebrated by drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists alike for its dramatic ascents, descents, and demanding bends. Its journey takes travellers across the desolate, high moorland between the plateaux of Kinder Scout and Bleaklow, offering breathtaking views before descending past the scenic Ladybower Reservoir. The route is considered one of Britain’s most scenic drives and has even featured in professional cycling races like the Tour of Britain.
However, the pass’s location and terrain present continuous challenges. It is typically one of the first routes in the region to close during winter due to snow and ice. More critically, the road is built over unstable ground, leading to a decades-long history of disruptive and costly landslips and subsidence, particularly following heavy rain.
Ongoing Challenges and Safety Improvements
The unstable nature of the ground has led to several long-term closures over the years. Following severe storms in 2022, sections of the road were seriously damaged, requiring extensive repairs and the imposition of single-lane sections with temporary traffic lights, particularly around the Alport slip site.
Derbyshire County Council and other authorities face a continual struggle to maintain the route, with warnings that a future major landslip could prove uneconomical to repair, potentially threatening the road’s long-term future.
In an effort to improve safety, the A57 Snake Pass has been the subject of significant recent investment. Recognizing a high rate of serious injuries and fatalities, the Department for Transport announced £7.6 million in funding in 2025 for major safety improvements. These plans, split between Derbyshire County Council and Sheffield City Council, include:
- Up to 10 average speed camera sites along the route.
- Anti-skid friction surfacing on bends and collision hotspots.
- Advanced ‘road restraint’ safety barriers designed to better protect motorcyclists.
The Snake Pass remains a vital, albeit secondary, route between the two major Northern cities, serving both local traffic and a huge number of tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. Its blend of history, spectacular landscape, and demanding driving conditions ensures its place as one of the UK’s most memorable and talked-about roads. Travellers are always advised to check its status before setting out, as the magnificent A57 Snake Pass is as unpredictable as it is beautiful.