Greatest driving roads in the UK

A836 to Tongue when its not tourist season.

 

Another one, that likely isn't well known. The drive from Kilchoan to Mallaig was spectacular, tiny roads and not overly busy when we did it. The "new road" into Mallaig is tremendous for stretching the legs of the car after the single track roads from the ferry to where you join the A830. Highly recommend.

 

There is several in mid and North Wales that I used to drive when I lived that way. The mountain road between Elan Valley and Devils bridge being a favorite

 

Exactly the road I was going to suggest! Great minds think alike.

Although for anyone not familiar with this route, it's not a high speed road. The Elan valley is best enjoyed at a sedate 30 mph for the stunning scenery. And if you drive too fast on the Aberystwyth Mountain road, you'd end up with a dead sheep on the bonnet.

I have to say the best way to drive/ride this route is on a motorcycle as its so narrow, and you experience much more of the surrounding landscape.

 

The Woodhead pass just north of the Snake is good when not stuck behind a lorry!

 

I really must take issue, the Snake Pass is in Derbyshire, and was voted by the Caterham Club as the best.

 

The M40 in between the M25 and High Wycombe. No speed limit. If you don't hit 140MPH on the straight bit you're not trying hard enough.

 

No speed limit??? This must be on the Isle of Man.

 

Beat me to it, Bob - I was going to add that as a rider to Bryan's post, a real driver's road and the same one I recommended to ryandoc and his mates when they did their 'Cannonball Run' a few years back - some of you may recall his write-up with pics back on the old 'Land? They were in Ferraris, Audis and his M3 and they had a ball.

For those with enough time, I'd also recommend continuing from Tongue west on the A838 to Durness and southwards from there. At Laxford Bridge there's a choice of staying on the A838 and returning to Lairg, essentially retracing your steps to Inverness, or turning onto the A894 and heading south to Scourie and on to cross the Kylesku Bridge

before joining the A837 for Lairg and all points South.

IF you have time, there are a network of roads offering alternate routes back to Inverness but be warned, you'll want to be stopping all the time to admire the views (like this at Sango Sands)



or to visit Smoo Cave at Durness



And remember, although designated 'A' roads, much of the mileages are like this - single track with Passing places



Any appetites whetted.......?

 

yeah by the M40 !!!

 

I remember that road along the N coast of Scotland from the '60s, but I also remember how infrequent were the sea views. Another memory from those times, heading for Mallaig from Fort William in the AH100, which was extremely low to the ground, and having to turn back after about 3 miles of the newly surfaced road, when it reverted to a rough track which the AH couldn't handle. The same trip, the sump drain was cracked on the road up to Ullapool by coming in contact with the road, and lost all the oil. Happy days.
The road through Glencoe is (was) also a good drive.

 

One of my favourites is the A87, Invergarry to Uig (Isle of Skye). Driving through Glen Shiel on a late summer evening, no traffic, is a superb drive.



Agree on the other Scottish roads, A836 & A838.

Here's another favourite of mine. ???



Peter

 

That is another of my choices for relatively local driving roads. Haven't driven to Lochgilphead in the 535i, used to drive it quite a lot in the days of the 540i and 330d.

Peter

 

Whilst we southerners cannot really compete with our friends north of the border, where as we know there are some terrific driving roads (and thanks for this post as you are giving me an excuse to come and visit again...), I used to love some of the roads in the North York Moors when I lived up that way.
Try the route from Great Broughton to Helmsley and then onward to Marton in the Forest, for example.
Another fave was through Hutton-le-Hole.
Now I'm over this side of the Pennines, up in the Lakes, the road from Little Langdale over the Hardknot Pass to Eskdale Green is scenic and quite fun when not busy.
Snake Pass is more local but to me now with all the speed limits and no overtaking zones I would suggest it's not as much fun as it used to be.

 

Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness... A890 / A832... but i like most of the roads up in the Highlands

 

... and no unmarked police cars, that's handy