close

Yorkshire’s best roads for Porsche drivers

eagle

Porsche is famed for making cars that are great to drive, but finding roads you can really enjoy them on can be difficult. Fortunately, Yorkshire has plenty of challenging stretches of tarmac where you can make the most of your Porsche.

Whether you want to remind yourself that your Boxster is a genuine sports car rather than just a commuting tool or to experience the full extent of your 911’s superb handling and grip, you’ll be able to do it on these Yorkshire roads.

Buttertubs Pass

Yorkshire

Jeremy Clarkson once described Buttertubs Pass as “England’s only truly spectacular road”, and just for once the Top Gear motormouth was only exaggerating a little. The 5.5-mile stretch between Hawes and Thwaite has challenging corners, steep climbs and beautiful views (if you can take your eyes off the road).

It’s a good test of both Porsche and driver, but keep an eye out for walkers visiting the spectacular Buttertubs limestone potholes and cyclists riding the route used for the 2014 Tour de France.

B6255 – Ribblehead

Yorkshire

Ribblehead may be home to Yorkshire’s most famous section of railway, but it is also a great spot for drivers. The B6255 between Hawes and Ingleton is a glorious stretch of road climbing through the hills, with long straights surrounded by beautiful countryside and even a decent pub to call at.

The route is only 16.5 miles, but it’s a must for any afternoon tour of the Dales in your Porsche. Just make sure you watch out for sheep and caravans.

B6270 – Swaledale

Yorkshire

If rush hour traffic jams in Leeds or Huddersfield have left you fed up with motoring, testing your Porsche on this Pennine pass will be the perfect antidote. The 26.6 miles between Downholme and Nateby alongside the River Swale is flanked by some stunning countryside, but that isn’t the main reason for driving it. Steep climbs and descents, sharp bends, the occasional straight and not much traffic – this road has almost everything you need for an afternoon out in a sports car.

The Buttertubs, Ribblehead and Swaledale routes are connected, so you can easily tackle them all on a day trip to the Dales. Add in the hairpins of Cam Gill Road, which runs between Kettlewell and Coverdale, and you can experience some great Porsche driving.

A6024 – Holme Moss

Yorkshire

One of the most revered cycling climbs in the north of England, Holme Moss is also a fun drive – in the right car. Start in Holmfirth and make your way through the villages of Holmebridge and Holme, after which you can look forward to some challenging gradients.

The power and handling of your Porsche mean you can really enjoy the hairpins on the climb up to the transmitting station at the summit of Holme Moss; but don’t get too distracted by the views, as it is not unusual for sheep to roam across the road.

The descent towards Woodhead Reservoir is slightly gentler, but there are a couple of corners that are deceptively sharp. The road eventually joins the A628 Woodhead Pass (at a junction with awful visibility), which will take you through some rugged countryside towards either Penistone or Glossop.

A169 – Pickering to Whitby

Yorkshire
Fish and chips in The Magpie isn’t the only reason to plan a trip to Whitby – the journey can be equally enjoyable. The A169 between Pickering and the seaside resort takes you through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, so there is plenty of stunning scenery to admire from the passenger seat.

More importantly for Porsche drivers, the 20-mile stretch of undulating road has long straights perfect for your car’s acceleration and the occasional hairpin to test the grip and handling. There are also some cracking pubs in the villages just off the A169, so the passenger seat isn’t the worst place to be on the way back!

B1257 – Helmsley to Stokesley

Yorkshire
The A19 may be the quickest way to head north, but it isn’t the most enjoyable. This 20-mile stretch of the B1257 runs through moorland and woodland, taking in the villages of Chop Gate and Great Broughton.

The views are fantastic, as is the driving. The road is undulating, with some steep sections, and plenty of sweeping corners to make the most of your Porsche’s handling.

Have you driven any of these roads or do you have some of your own favourites? Tell us about it at the Revolution Porsche Facebook page.

Thanks to KreuzschnabelJohn FirthMalcolm TebbitDarren Haddock and JThomas for use of the images.