Eddie PhilipsThe UK is packed with some of the most scenic and thrilling driving roads in the world. From dramatic mountain passes in Scotland to winding coastal routes in Cornwall, these roads combine breathtaking views, challenging curves, and unforgettable journeys. Whether you are a car enthusiast, a motorbike rider, or just someone looking for the perfect scenic drive, this guide covers the top 50 driving roads in the UK that you must experience.
Top Best 50 Driving Roads In The UK
1. A82 – Glasgow to Fort William, Scotland
The A82 is one of Scotland’s most iconic roads, stretching along the banks of Loch Lomond and through the heart of the Highlands. Drivers experience sweeping bends, lochside views, and towering mountain scenery. Passing Glencoe and Rannoch Moor, this route combines smooth tarmac with dramatic landscapes, making it perfect for a long scenic drive. Early morning trips offer less traffic and stunning sunrise over the lochs.
2. North Coast 500 – Scotland
The NC500, often called Scotland’s Route 66, spans 516 miles of northern Scotland. This coastal route passes through wild Highland terrain, remote beaches, and charming villages. It’s ideal for a multi-day road trip, offering both fast open roads and challenging bends. Highlights include Applecross Pass, Torridon, and Dunrobin Castle.
3. A39 – Atlantic Highway, Devon & Cornwall
Running along the southwest coast, the A39 provides coastal views, rolling hills, and charming towns like Clovelly and Bude. Drivers enjoy quiet stretches interspersed with engaging curves. This road is perfect for those who want a scenic, relaxed drive through England’s west country.
4. Snake Pass – Peak District, England
Snake Pass is a thrilling drive through the Dark Peak area, famous for its twisty mountain road. The route offers sweeping corners, steep climbs, and breathtaking moorland scenery. It’s ideal for autumn drives when the heather turns purple, making the landscape truly spectacular.
5. Hardknott Pass – Lake District, England
One of the steepest roads in the UK, Hardknott Pass features gradients up to 33% and narrow, hairpin bends. The challenge is rewarded with stunning Lake District views, including valleys, mountains, and distant lakes. Best approached cautiously and in dry conditions, this route is perfect for adventurous drivers.
6. Black Mountain Pass – Brecon Beacons, Wales
Known as the “Top Gear Road,” the Black Mountain Pass winds through the Brecon Beacons, offering a mixture of tight bends and open sweeping views. The road is relatively quiet, allowing drivers to enjoy the dramatic peaks and valleys along the route.
7. A470 – Cardiff to Llandudno, Wales
Stretching from the south to the north coast, the A470 passes through picturesque Welsh landscapes, including the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia National Park. Drivers can experience smooth stretches, rolling hills, and spectacular lake views along the way.
8. B3135 – Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Cheddar Gorge is one of England’s most dramatic drives. The road snakes through towering limestone cliffs and deep gorges, with plenty of viewpoints to stop and admire the scenery. It’s both challenging and awe-inspiring for anyone who loves winding roads.
9. A686 – Penrith to Haydon Bridge
The A686 takes drivers through the rolling North Pennines, offering open stretches and dramatic elevation changes. Hartside Pass provides one of the UK’s best panoramic viewpoints, making this road a favourite for long-distance driving enthusiasts.
10. Evo Triangle – North Wales
Famed among car enthusiasts, the Evo Triangle is a loop of fast straights and challenging bends. Set amidst lush valleys and hills, this route offers a dynamic driving experience that tests both handling and skill, ideal for spirited drives.
11. A93 – Cairnwell Pass, Scotland
Cairnwell Pass is the highest public road in Scotland, winding through Cairngorms National Park. The road features sweeping curves, high altitude landscapes, and opportunities to spot wildlife. Winter transforms it into a snow-covered wonderland for the brave-hearted.
12. A87 – Invergarry to Isle of Skye
This iconic Highland route crosses lochs, mountains, and the famous Skye Bridge. With long sweeping bends and dramatic vistas, the A87 is perfect for photographers and driving enthusiasts alike.
13. Bealach na Bà – Applecross Pass, Scotland
Bealach na Bà is one of the most challenging and rewarding roads in the UK. With tight hairpins and steep drops, the drive through the Highlands provides adrenaline and breathtaking views over Applecross and the sea.
14. A5 – Snowdonia, Wales
The historic A5 runs through Snowdonia, blending smooth curves with dramatic mountain scenery. The old Roman road is well-maintained, making it ideal for relaxed sightseeing drives with plenty of stops for photos.
15. A831 – Glen Affric, Scotland
Glen Affric is often described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland. The A831 winds through ancient Caledonian forests, past waterfalls, and alongside lochs, providing a peaceful yet visually stunning driving experience.
16. Causeway Coastal Route – Northern Ireland
This road hugs Northern Ireland’s rugged coastline, passing the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, and cliffs with sweeping sea views. It’s one of the most photographed driving routes in the UK.
17. Torr Head Scenic Route – Northern Ireland
A more challenging alternative to the Causeway route, Torr Head winds through tight bends and steep climbs, offering dramatic vistas of the North Channel and surrounding cliffs.
18. A684 – North Yorkshire
Running through the Yorkshire Dales, the A684 offers rolling green hills, picturesque villages, and quiet rural roads. It’s ideal for those looking for a scenic countryside drive with gentle curves.
19. Buttertubs Pass – Yorkshire Dales
Named after the deep limestone potholes in the area, Buttertubs Pass provides dramatic views, tight bends, and steep descents. This road is a favourite among cyclists and drivers alike for its raw, natural beauty.
20. Cat and Fiddle Road – Peak District
One of England’s most famous high-altitude drives, the Cat and Fiddle Road offers long sweeping curves, open moorland, and spectacular views. It’s perfect for drivers seeking a balance of thrill and scenery.
21. A4086 – Llanberis Pass, Wales
Llanberis Pass offers towering slate mountains, lush valleys, and the perfect mix of tight bends and open sections. It’s ideal for photographers and drivers looking for dramatic Welsh scenery.
22. A272 – Sussex Countryside
The A272 runs through peaceful rolling hills, charming villages, and farmland. With gentle curves and long open stretches, this road is perfect for relaxed driving in southern England.
23. B4560 – Llangynidr Mountain Road, Wales
This quiet backroad provides panoramic mountain views, wide sweeping bends, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it ideal for a weekend drive in South Wales.
24. Old Military Road (A93/A939), Scotland
Historic and atmospheric, this road winds through remote Scottish landscapes. Smooth curves and quiet stretches make it perfect for those seeking solitude and scenic beauty.
25. Newlands Pass – Lake District, England
Newlands Pass offers steep climbs, descending valleys, and breathtaking waterfalls. The road is narrow but well-maintained, providing one of the Lake District’s most memorable drives.
26. A44 – Oxford to Aberystwyth
Stretching from the heart of England to the rugged Welsh coast, the A44 combines smooth, open stretches with tight curves through the Welsh mountains. Perfect for a long scenic drive.
27. A361 – North Devon Link Road
This quiet road provides fast, open sections with views over Exmoor National Park. It’s ideal for drivers looking to enjoy rolling countryside and coastal glimpses.
28. B3306 – St Ives to St Just, Cornwall
A coastal gem, the B3306 offers rugged cliffside driving, spectacular ocean views, and charming Cornish villages. It’s perfect for a relaxed yet visually striking road trip.
29. A82 – Glencoe, Scotland
Glencoe is arguably Scotland’s most famous driving road. Towering peaks, deep valleys, and remote landscapes make this route unforgettable for both drivers and photographers.
30. Ullswater Loop – Lake District, England
This scenic lakeside road offers calm views, quiet stretches, and multiple stopping points. It’s perfect for a peaceful drive in the heart of the Lake District.
31. A57 – Glossop to Sheffield, Peak District
The A57 features changing scenery, engaging curves, and a mix of high moorland and forested areas. Ideal for drivers seeking a varied Peak District experience.
32. A2 – Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland
This historic road hugs the cliffs, offering dramatic views of the sea and the coastline. It’s one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic scenic drives.
33. A939 – Grantown-on-Spey to Tomintoul, Scotland
High-altitude straights and hill climbs make this Scottish route ideal for confident drivers. The views of rolling hills and distant mountains are simply stunning.
34. A9 – Scottish Highlands
The A9 stretches across the Highlands, providing sweeping bends, open spaces, and dramatic scenery. Perfect for long-distance drives with a sense of adventure.
35. Struie Hill Viewpoint Road – Scotland
A short but rewarding route, Struie Hill offers panoramic Highland views and winding roads, perfect for photography and leisurely driving.
36. Fleet Moss Road – Yorkshire Dales
A remote, narrow, and atmospheric road, Fleet Moss is ideal for adventurous drivers who want a sense of isolation and raw natural beauty.
37. A708 – Moffat to Selkirk, Scotland
Passing the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall, this road is scenic and peaceful, offering a mix of forested sections, hills, and gentle curves.
38. A40 – Brecon to Llandovery, Wales
A smooth and broad Welsh road with sweeping views of the Brecon Beacons. Ideal for relaxed scenic drives with easy stopping points.
39. A4069 – Llandovery to Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, Wales
This open, undulating route crosses Welsh moorland and hills, offering dramatic vistas and enjoyable driving curves.
40. B6255 – Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire Dales
Passing the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, this road combines history, engineering, and sweeping countryside scenery for an unforgettable drive.
41. A832 – Wester Ross Coastal Route, Scotland
Quiet and atmospheric, the A832 hugs the Scottish coastline, offering views of sea cliffs, mountains, and tranquil lochs. A must for serene Highland drives.
42. A68 – England to Scotland Border
Running along the border, the A68 features the famous Carter Bar viewpoint, open stretches, and smooth curves, perfect for long drives with mountain scenery.
43. B863 – Kinlochleven Loop, Scotland
A tight, twisty route around Glencoe mountains, offering challenging bends, beautiful lochside views, and a sense of remoteness.
44. A95 – Speyside Whisky Country, Scotland
This road winds through gentle hills, rivers, and distilleries. It’s perfect for those combining scenic driving with whisky-tasting stops.
45. A701 – Edinburgh to Moffat, Scotland
Known as the Scenic Route to Edinburgh, the A701 features rolling hills, forests, and open farmland, ideal for a relaxed drive with panoramic views.
46. B4343 – Machynlleth to Aberystwyth, Wales
This backroad hugs the coastline and passes through charming villages, offering sweeping curves and stunning sea views.
47. Gloucester to Monmouth – A40, Wye Valley
Passing through the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this road features rolling hills, river views, and picturesque countryside.
48. A5004 – Long Hill, Peak District
A mix of lively bends, steep inclines, and valley views, the A5004 offers engaging driving for motoring enthusiasts while showcasing Peak District scenery.
49. A1120 – Suffolk Tourist Route, England
This quiet rural road winds through classic English countryside, passing villages, farms, and gentle rolling hills—ideal for a leisurely scenic drive.
50. A29 – Bury Hill, West Sussex
Known for fast climbs, twisty corners, and forested scenery, the A29 is a favourite among driving enthusiasts in southern England.
Conclusion
From Highland passes and Welsh valleys to coastal drives and English countryside lanes, the UK offers some of the most diverse and exciting driving roads in Europe. Each of these 50 routes delivers a mix of scenic beauty, challenging bends, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a photography trip, these roads are a must-drive for every motoring enthusiast.