The road
From Seatoller the road climbs hard on tight bends to the Honister Slate Mine, then runs down the long, steep descent to Gatesgarth and Buttermere. Walkers, cyclists, cars and coaches all share a single narrow lane in places. It’s spectacular, but it punishes clutches, brakes and anyone not used to steep hills.
Can a recovery truck get up Honister?
Yes, but slowly, and not always to every spot. On the steepest bends there’s nowhere for a truck to stop safely and load a bike. If the bike rolls, we may ask you to coast it down to a wider place, the summit car park, or the valley floor at Seatoller or Gatesgarth. We’ll tell you honestly on the call.
What usually goes wrong here
Clutches burnt out on the Seatoller climb, brakes fading on the Buttermere descent, low-speed drops on the steepest bends when a rider stalls or loses balance, and bikes stopping on the climb in summer traffic.
If you’re stuck right now
The slate mine car park at the top is the safest place to stop and the easiest place for a truck to load. If you stop on the climb, get the bike right in to the side and use your hazard lights. Tell us whether you’re on the Borrowdale or the Buttermere side.
Where to stop and phone signal
Seatoller at the Borrowdale end and Gatesgarth at the Buttermere end both have parking, and the slate mine sits at the top. Signal on Honister itself is poor to non-existent, and the slate mine is often the nearest place where someone can help you get a message out.
- Get off the road, and get the bike off it too if you can.
- Send your location: a WhatsApp live pin, what3words, or the last landmark you passed.
- Call 07520 639867, hear the price, and we’ll send a bike-ready truck.
Nearest areas we cover
FAQ
Rider questions
How long does it take to get a recovery truck to the Honister Pass (B5289)?
It depends on where the nearest available truck is and the traffic. Remote roads take longer than towns. We give you an honest estimate on the call.
What if I have no phone signal?
Walk to higher ground or the nearest village. A single bar is enough for a text or WhatsApp pin. Note the last landmark you passed.