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Scotland makes up the northern third of Great Britain’s island. Although it is not as large as England, it has more adventurous roads due to its mountainous terrain. Anyone in the UK looking for adventure should consider exploring the highest road in Scotland.
This article is for you if you’re a seasoned bike rider or driver looking to traverse the most challenging routes. Continue reading to learn about the highest roads in Scotland, which provide spectacular views of the country and reveal its true beauty.
Table Of Contents
Top 5 Highest Roads In Scotland
Here are the top five highest roads in all of Scotland.
1. Lowther Hill – 725 m (2379 ft)
Lowther Hill is the highest road in Scotland, reaching an elevation of 725 m (2,379 ft) above sea level. This road, located in the western Southern Uplands, connects the counties of Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
It’s a private service road with restricted access for motor vehicles. As a result, it doesn’t get any motorised traffic. At the top, you’ll find a radar station, a popular visiting spot for cyclists and hillwalkers.
In the wintertime, there are snow poles along Lowther Hill Road to alert drivers of slippery roads. During these months, the route is usually very difficult to navigate.
Lowther Hill covers 5.63 km (3.5 miles), running from Wanlockhead, the highest village in the country, and it offers spectacular views of the rolling green hills below.
Upon visiting this road, you can take a chance and explore the small charming town of Kilwinning with the help of our cars for hire.
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2. Cairnwell Pass – 670 m (2198 ft)
The Cairnwell Pass is one of the highest roads in the country, only behind Lowther Hill. This mountain passes the border of Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. It has an altitude of 670 m (2,198 ft) and connects the counties of Glen Shee in Perthshire and Braemar in Aberdeenshire.
The route to the summit is known as A93, the highest main road in the United Kingdom. The entire pass is 23.97 km (14.9 miles) long and has a maximum gradient of 17%, making some areas of the road difficult to navigate.
The Cairnwell Pass follows a military route that William Caulfeild built in the 1750s to allow drovers to take their cattle and sheep to the market.
The Cairnwell Pass is open all year, but the path may be blocked by snow at times during the winter. Although the road is quite steep, reaching the top rewards you with breathtaking views and amazing memories you won’t easily forget.
3. Cairngorm Ski Centre – 646 m (2244 ft)
Cairngorm Mountain is a mountain peak that reaches an altitude of 646 m (2,119 ft) above sea level. This road shares the same name as the ski centre at its summit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, this course passes through the Cairngorm Mountains and peaks at the car park of the Cairngorm Ski Centre.
The ascent to the top of this road is 6.27 km (3.9 miles), while the elevation gain over this distance is 312 m (1,053 ft). The gradient on this roadway hits a cruel 17% through some of the ramps, making it a challenging climb. During the journey, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Strathspey and Aviemore.
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4. Lecht – 635 m (2083 ft)
The Lecht, also known as A939 or Old Military Road, is a mountain pass that reaches 635 m (2083 ft). Located in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, in the Scottish Highlands, this roadway connects the council areas of Aberdeenshire and Moray.
The route is paved and spans a length of 16.25km (10.1 miles), leading to the Grampian Mountains. The road features steep gradients, high winds and hairpin turns, which make it an exciting drive for adventurers.
While passing through the Lecht, you can take some time to visit the ski centre of the same name.
The route is open all year, but there may be occasional closures in dangerous weather conditions.
5. Bealach Na Ba – 626 m (2054 ft)
Bealach na Ba is one of the highest roads in Scotland. This route leads through the mountains of the Applecross Peninsula. It is one of the most scenic drives in the United Kingdom, offering breathtaking views of the scenery around it.
Beginner riders and those who don’t know how to reverse should avoid Bealach na Ba because it is very narrow.
Bealach na Ba is 17.86 km (11.1 miles) long, running east-west from Tornapress to Applecross. The route is single-track all the way and has earned a fearsome reputation due to its sharp hairpin turns and sloped terrain.
Cairnwell Pass – The Highest A-Road In the UK
At an elevation of 670 m (2198 ft), the Cairnwell Pass is the highest A-road in the United Kingdom. An A-road is a major road that provides large-scale transport links between towns or cities. The Cairnwell Pass has plenty of sections with double lanes all the way to the top, and it runs from Glen Shee in Perthshire to Braemar in Aberdeenshire.
At the peak of this roadway is the Glenshee Ski Centre, Scotland’s largest and oldest ski centre.
A mile from the summit of Cairnwell Pass, you’ll find the Devil’s Elbow, an iconic double-hairpin bend. This double bend gets its name from how difficult it is to navigate. The modern roadway bypasses the hairpin bends, but the old road still exists, and you can walk or cycle through it.
However, there are two roads with even higher points or sections than in this famous road. Read about them in the list of the highest roads in the UK.
Relief Of Scotland
Scotland is the most northerly country in the United Kingdom, known for having some of the highest roads. This country is divided into three major regions based on topography: the Highlands in the north, the Central Lowlands (Midland Valley) and the Southern Uplands.
- The Highlands: The Highlands is a large, rugged region in north Scotland known for its numerous mountains, dramatic landscapes and rivers. As a result, this area is home to some of the highest roads in the country, including the Cairnwell Pass, the Letch and Bealach Na Ba.
- The Central Lowlands: The Central Lowlands lie between the Scottish Highlands and the Southern Uplands. This area isn’t as hilly as the highlands and holds the majority of the population in the country.
- The Southern Uplands: The Southern Uplands are a range of hills and mountains that stretch across South Scotland. Similarly to the Highlands, the Uplands have many hilly roads, including Lowther Hill, the highest road in the country.
Overall, Scotland has many high roads, and the majority are concentrated in the Highlands and the Southern Lowlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Highest Road In Europe?
The highest road in Europe is the Pico del Veleta in Andalusia, Spain. This road reaches a peak elevation of 3,300 m (10,826 ft) above sea level. The access road to the summit is 13.3 kilometres (8.26 miles) long, starting at the Sierra Nevada ski resort.
The Pico del Veleta roadway was built after the creation of the Sierra Nevada National Park. Although it is not accessible to public vehicles, there’s a microbus service that takes hikers up to Posiciones del Veleta, a viewpoint 3,100 metres above sea level.
What Is The Steepest Road In Scotland?
The steepest road in Scotland is Middle Brae in Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull. This course has a double digits gradient of 19.4%, making inclines very sharp. The location is also known for its brightly painted waterfront houses, which make it a tourist attraction. Other steep roads in the country include Ramsay Lane in Edinburgh’s Old Town and Ellwyn Crescent in Galashiels.
What Is The Highest A-Road In The UK?
The highest A-road in the UK is the Cairnwell Pass. It links Glen Shee in Perthshire to Braemar in Aberdeenshire, reaching a peak elevation of 670 m (2198 ft). The entire pass is 23.97 kilometres (14.9 miles) long, and the route offers great views of the surrounding area.
The UK also has lots of high and wide roads in the North Pennines, including Black Hill and Killhope Cross, which is the joint highest road pass alongside Harthope Moss.
Where Is The Highest Point In Scotland?
The highest point in Scotland is the peak of Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain of the British Isles, in the Highland Council area of Scotland. The summit reaches an elevation of 4,413 feet (1,345 metres). It takes between seven and nine hours to climb the track and get to the top of the mountain.
Is Scotland Hilly Or Flat?
Scotland is hilly. The most hilly parts of the country are the Scottish Highlands, which occupy about 60% of the country. All of this region is at least hilly, with the exception of a strip along the east coast. The southern and eastern parts of the country are known as the ‘Scottish Lowlands’, but even these areas have significant hill ranges with some of the highest roads.
Conclusion
Now you know that the highest road in Scotland is Lowther Hill, which has a peak of 725 m (2379 ft). However, even beyond Lowther Hill, the country has many other hilly and extremely high roads worth checking out. So whether you’re an adventurer looking to explore lofty points or a hiker trying to challenge yourself, Scotland presents some of the highest roads and an incredible experience that is impossible to forget.
