[note 1] The name derives from its use transporting locally mined coal, although before that it was used as a droving route between England and Scotland through Mallerstang.

The Coal Road connects Garsdale and Dentdale, scouting the western edge of Great Knoutberry Hill, reaching a height of 1,755 feet (535 m).

[8][9] At its height, the coal-mining industry on the northern edge of Great Knoutberry extended to twenty workings, but all were fairly shallow pits dug easily from ground level down.

The Coal Road from Lea Yeat in Cowgill, to Garsdale railway station is 4 miles (6.4 km) long, and was tarmacked in 1954.

[1] The Coal Road is renowned in cycling circles due to its steep climb from Dentdale out towards Garsdale Head,[15] and the tarmacked route which "undulates like a fairground ride".