The abandoned Peak District 'ghost road' motorists once used instead of Woodhead and Snake Pass

It's a challenging drive. For every breath-taking bit of scenery, there's a hairpin bend, or sharp turn ready to catch you unaware.

Motorists who travel regularly between Manchester and Sheffield will be well aware of the picturesque yet difficult roads of the Peak District. One direct route takes in the legendary Snake Pass.

Officially part of the A57, it's regarded as one of the most scenic drives in Britain. But the twists and turns along its 26-miles that make it so spectacular have also earned it a place on a list of the most dangerous roads in the world.

A busier route between the two cities can be found to the north via the Woodhead Pass.

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Part of the A628 connecting Greater Manchester to South Yorkshire, the crossing was constructed to replace Snake Pass in the early 20th Century. Thanks to its gentler gradients and curves, Woodhead Pass is less arduous that Snake Pass but can still experience heavy congestion, especially when it snows.

However, up until the 1970s, there was another popular direct route motorists used to travel between the two northern cities across the Peak District. Until 1979, commuters could use the more southerly A625 passing through Chapel-en-le-Firth, Castleton, and on to Sheffield.

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West of Castleton is a steep gorge called the Winnats Pass. According to the Roads.org.uk website, the original A625 route was built to the north of the gorge, along the easier slopes on the east side of Mam Tor - one of the highest peaks in the area.

Mam Tor is