To the east of the pass are the mountains of Helvellyn and Seat Sandal, and to the west lies Steel Fell, part of the High Raise massif.
Today the A591 road between Kendal and Keswick takes this route, and the section over Dunmail Raise is a short length of dual-carriageway.
Dunmail Raise is also the name of a large cairn which stands on the top of the pass, on the central reservation between the two carriageways of the road.
[3] According to local folklore, the cairn was raised over the body of a Cumbrian king named Dunmail who was slain by Saxons.
A water treatment plant, owned and operated by United Utilities, is situated at the southern end of the tunnel, beside the A591.