The best driving roads in Great Britain

01Bealach na Bà (Applecross pass)

Bealach na Bà, the pass road from Tornapress (Loch Kishorn) over to Applecross, Wester Ross.

Alpine-style hairpins climb from Loch Kishorn to a 626 m summit, one of the steepest road ascents in Britain, before the road drops to Applecross with views across to Skye.

10.6 miles · 2,350 ft of climbing · near Applecross

Good to know Single-track with passing places; not advised for caravans, large vehicles or learner drivers; can close in winter snow and ice.

Open in WendRecommended by Driven

02A708 Moffat–Selkirk (St Mary's Loch)

A708 from Moffat past the Loch of the Lowes and St Mary's Loch to Selkirk.

Narrow and crested like a rollercoaster out of Moffat, then opening into fast sweeping bends beside the Loch of the Lowes and St Mary's Loch on the way to Selkirk. The AA once ranked it among Britain's most scenic routes.

32.7 miles · 2,800 ft of climbing · near Moffat

Open in WendRecommended by Motorcycle Scotland

03Elan Valley mountain road (Rhayader–Cwmystwyth)

Cambrian Mountains road from Rhayader past the Elan Valley towards Cwmystwyth and Devil's Bridge.

From Rhayader the mountain road passes the Elan Valley's reservoirs and dams, crosses the empty Cambrian Mountains watershed under circling red kites and drops past the old Cwmystwyth mine workings. The AA once ranked it among the world's ten best scenic drives.

14.1 miles · 2,000 ft of climbing · near Rhayader

Good to know Single-track with passing places on the descent to Cwmystwyth.

Open in WendRecommended by Visit Mid Wales

04Buttertubs Pass (Hawes–Thwaite)

Buttertubs Pass, from Simonstone near Hawes over to Thwaite (Wensleydale to Swaledale).

A steep climb out of Wensleydale gives way to a rollercoaster of crests and corners over to Swaledale, past the deep limestone potholes that give the pass its name. Jeremy Clarkson counts it among his all-time favourite roads, and the 2014 Tour de France raced over it.

5.5 miles · 1,300 ft of climbing · near Hawes

Good to know Can close in winter snow.

Open in WendRecommended by Hagerty UK

05A832 Gairloch–Ullapool

A832 from Gairloch past Gruinard Bay and Dundonnell towards Ullapool, Wester Ross.

Crosses the Highlands from Loch Maree to the west coast at Gairloch, then runs north past Gruinard Bay and its pink sand to Ullapool. Described as one of the most scenic roads in Britain.

42.9 miles · 4,250 ft of climbing · near Gairloch

Open in WendRecommended by Motorcycle Scotland

06B6270 Kirkby Stephen–Keld (Lamps Moss)

B6270 from Nateby (Kirkby Stephen) over Lamps Moss and Birkdale Common to Keld, head of Swaledale.

Steep climbs and hairpins alternate with long straights and deep dips as it crosses Lamps Moss from the head of Swaledale down to Nateby, and the road stays quiet.

8.9 miles · 1,200 ft of climbing · near Kirkby Stephen

Open in WendRecommended by Leeds-List

07A855 Trotternish loop

A855 round the Trotternish peninsula, Portree to Staffin and Uig, including the Quiraing.

Crosses the Quiraing on the Trotternish ridge, with a steep descent, tight switchbacks and views out towards Staffin Bay.

31.8 miles · 2,550 ft of climbing · near Staffin

Good to know Single-track with passing places in places.

Open in WendRecommended by Detour Road Trips

08B6277 Middleton-in-Teesdale–Alston

B6277 from Middleton-in-Teesdale up the Tees past High Force to Alston.

Climbs out of Alston into the high North Pennines, then follows the Tees down past High Force to Middleton-in-Teesdale.

19.1 miles · 3,650 ft of climbing · near Middleton-in-Teesdale

Open in WendRecommended by MSL Magazine

09B3306 St Ives–St Just coast road

B3306 coast road from St Ives via Zennor to St Just, West Penwith.

It hugs the remote West Penwith coast through ancient fields and small settlements, with the Atlantic on one side and rugged moorland on the other, passing Zennor, the Gurnard's Head and the old mines around Pendeen and Botallack.

9.3 miles · 950 ft of climbing · near St Ives

Good to know Short single-track stretches.

Open in WendRecommended by Visit Cornwall

10Glen Affric Road

Single-track road from Cannich up Glen Affric past Loch Beinn a' Mheadhoin to the River Affric car park.

The road runs west from Cannich into what is often called the most beautiful glen in Scotland, ending at the River Affric car park among high mountains and remnants of ancient Caledonian forest.

8.0 miles · 750 ft of climbing · near Cannich

Good to know Single-track with passing places; dead end.

Open in WendRecommended by Visit Inverness Loch Ness