England · Near Manchester/8 min read

The 10 most scenic drives around Manchester.

Just beyond the Manchester ring road lies some of Britain's most commanding upland geography. These ten routes trace ancient packhorse lines and Victorian reservoir projects, offering vast sightlines and a deep sense of isolation for those willing to rise early.

By Drivelines·Published 06 May 2026
REGION OVERVIEW

Escaping the City

Manchester sits squarely in the shadow of some of Britain’s most spectacular upland topography. Within an hour of the city, the urban sprawl gives way to the stark gritstone edges of the Peak District, the rolling moorland of the South Pennines, and valleys that seem entirely disconnected from the industrial lowlands below. This is big-sky country, where the tarmac follows the paths of least resistance through rugged, unforgiving terrain. The driving here is less about exploiting the limits of a chassis and more about finding a fluid rhythm against a vast, open backdrop.

Routes mapped
10
Total distance
153km
Avg curve idx
5.5/10
Map of all 10 routes in near-manchester
StartEnd
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10
A628 · Longdendale · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Woodhead Road (A628)

Following the chain of reservoirs through Longdendale, the A628 is a crucial, if often heavily trafficked, trans-Pennine artery. The curvature is extremely mild, presenting a fast, flowing alignment that sits low in the valley. The scenery is industrial and dramatic, framed by the dark slopes of the surrounding moorland.

Crosswinds sweeping over the reservoirs can unsettle lighter cars, especially on the exposed stretches between the water and the rock face.

Distance
16km
Drive time
0h 19m
Curve idx
3.3/10
Climb
463m
StartEnd
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09
B5053 · White Peak · Easy
Dual-trackVaried surface

Buxton Road (B5053)

Winding southward through the limestone topography of the White Peak, the B5053 is an exercise in gentle, rolling momentum. The road lacks the severe gradients of the northern passes, instead offering a serene, pastoral run through deep-cut valleys. The surface is varied but rarely punishing, rewarding a relaxed approach.

Drystone walls sit flush against the tarmac in several sections, entirely removing any margin for error on the corner exits.

Distance
16.5km
Drive time
0h 20m
Curve idx
4.7/10
Climb
543m
StartEnd
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08
A6024 · Holme Moss · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Woodhead Road (A6024)

Ascending to the summit of Holme Moss, the A6024 offers one of the clearest, most uninterrupted vistas in the South Pennines. The road is wide and mostly straight, interrupted by a handful of sweeping turns that simply follow the natural contours of the hill. It is a place to let the landscape do the heavy lifting, rather than chasing a driving rhythm.

The transmitter mast at the summit serves as a useful visual marker from miles away, though the car park at the top is frequently battered by high winds.

Distance
11.6km
Drive time
0h 16m
Curve idx
5.1/10
Climb
323m
StartEnd
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07
A5004 · Goyt Valley · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Long Hill (A5004)

Descending from the high ground into the Goyt Valley, Long Hill traces a highly methodical, almost geometric sequence of turns. The dual-track surface is generally excellent, providing consistent grip through the heavily cambered bends. The sightlines open up magnificently across the valley floor, offering a superb architectural view of the landscape.

The descent is deceptive; it requires firm, progressive braking to manage the momentum shift into the tighter lower sections.

Distance
12.7km
Drive time
0h 17m
Curve idx
5.6/10
Climb
250m
StartEnd
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06
A54 · Dane Valley fringes · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Buxton Road (A54)

Climbing steeply from the Cheshire plain, the A54 presents a wide, modern surface that sweeps authoritatively onto the moors. The corners are long and progressive, allowing a driver to settle the chassis and enjoy the wide-screen views to the west. It is a route that feels grand in scale, demanding little in the way of sharp inputs.

The gradient is steep enough to catch out heavily laden traffic—be prepared for sudden queues on the ascent.

Distance
24.3km
Drive time
0h 29m
Curve idx
5.6/10
Climb
744m
StartEnd
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05
B5470 · Goyt Valley fringes · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Macclesfield Road (B5470)

A quieter alternative to the major arterial passes, the B5470 cuts a more sheltered, undulating route. The corners are closely stacked, demanding continuous line-choice as the road rises and falls through drystone-walled farmland. It lacks the sheer altitude of the A537, but compensates with a tighter, more involving rhythm.

Leaf litter builds up under the tree canopy in late autumn, making the shaded corners treacherous long after the rest of the road has dried.

Distance
13.2km
Drive time
0h 22m
Curve idx
6.5/10
Climb
392m
StartEnd
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04
A537 · Peak District · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Buxton New Road (A537)

Better known as the Cat and Fiddle, this notorious pass climbs sharply into the high moorland. The tarmac is impeccably smooth, tracing a complex, high-frequency sequence of corners that rewards reading the camber. It remains one of the region's great engineered climbs, presenting a starkly beautiful, exposed run over the tops.

Average speed cameras blanket the entire route—treat it as a study in smoothness rather than outright pace.

Distance
13.7km
Drive time
0h 16m
Curve idx
7.9/10
Climb
492m
StartEnd
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03
A57 · Dark Peak · Easy
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Snake Road (A57)

Snake Pass requires little introduction, cutting a broad, sweeping path through the Dark Peak. Despite its reputation, the curvature is largely flowing, heavily favouring wide, well-sighted sweepers rather than tight hairpins. The joy here is in the sheer scale of the landscape as the road traverses the upper reaches of the catchment.

Traffic flow heavily dictates the experience; early summer mornings are best before the heavy goods vehicles arrive.

Distance
14.9km
Drive time
0h 16m
Curve idx
4.4/10
Climb
356m
StartEnd
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02
Mortimer Road · Strines Moor · Easy
Mixed widthVaried surface

Mortimer Road

Skirting the eastern fringes of the Peak District, Mortimer Road offers a rolling, rhythmic run over the high ground. The surface quality fluctuates, constantly shifting between broken tarmac and smoother, more recently patched sections. It asks for patience and line-choice rather than raw pace, with blind crests enforcing a sensible approach to the limits.

The Strines Inn sits roughly halfway along—its car park is usually full of hikers and local drivers by midday.

Distance
15.6km
Drive time
0h 20m
Curve idx
5.0/10
Climb
505m
StartEnd
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01
A6033 · South Pennines · Spirited
Dual-trackSmooth surface

Hebden Bridge Road (A6033)

Dropping down towards Hebden Bridge, the A6033 threads a delicate line through the Calderdale moorland. It is a properly engaging dual-track stretch, demanding smooth inputs to maintain rhythm over undulating gritstone terrain. The scenery is stark and deeply Pennine, rewarding those who appreciate open expanses over tight valley walls.

Visibility is excellent, but the road surface can be rutted on the margins—give cyclists a wide berth on the climb.

Distance
14.2km
Drive time
0h 23m
Curve idx
7.1/10
Climb
402m
// KEEP READING
Sibling guide · Driving
Top 10 driving roads in Manchester
Parent region · England
Top 10 scenic drives in England
Nearby · The east of England
Top 10 scenic drives in the east of England
Nearby · London and the Home Counties
Top 10 scenic drives in London and the Home Counties
Nearby · The Midlands
Top 10 scenic drives in the Midlands
Index · Every region
All Top 10 Field Guides

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