At the southern end of the lake it enters Borrowdale, passing the settlements of Grange, Rosthwaite and Seatoller.

This stretch of road is notable for its views of the surrounding fells, including Catbells and Glaramara.

This part of the route has many zig-zags, with gradients of 1 in 4 (25%) as it struggles up the 200 metres (600 feet) to the top.

The top of the pass is an upland wilderness, with barren slopes and many erratic boulders, that is often covered in snow in the winter.

It then runs alongside Crummock Water and through the valley of the River Cocker, passing the fells of Robinson and Grasmoor.