59 road guides
Roads worth
getting up early for.
Mountain passes, moorland sweepers and coast roads across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man — with what to watch for and where to regroup.
Showing 59 of 59
Snake Pass
The A57 over Snake Pass climbs from Glossop onto the high moor below Kinder Scout and Bleaklow, then twists down through forest to Ladybower Reservoir. It is one of the most famous driving and riding roads in England.
Cat and Fiddle Road
The A537 between Macclesfield and Buxton crosses high moor past the Cat and Fiddle, one of the highest inns in England. Fast sweepers, blind crests and huge views have made it a byword for British biking roads.
Winnats Pass
Winnats Pass climbs out of Castleton through a steep limestone gorge with gradients around 1 in 5. It is short, spectacular and narrow — a road to enjoy at a gentle pace rather than a fast one.
Leek to Buxton
The A53 rises from Leek past the gritstone edges of the Roaches and Ramshaw Rocks, then runs across open moor to Buxton. It is quicker and more flowing than its neighbours, with a real sense of height.
Congleton to Buxton
The A54 climbs from Congleton through the Dane Valley and up over the moors to meet the A537 near Buxton. Tighter and quieter than the Cat and Fiddle, it is a favourite link for riders doing a Peak District loop.
Holme Moss
The A6024 climbs steeply out of Holmbridge to the Holme Moss transmitter, then drops across wild moor to the Woodhead Pass. It featured in the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014.
Buttertubs Pass
Buttertubs Pass links Wensleydale and Swaledale over high moor, named after the deep limestone potholes beside the road. Jeremy Clarkson once called it England's only truly spectacular road, and it lives up to the hype.
Fleet Moss
Fleet Moss is one of the highest roads in Yorkshire and among the steepest climbs in the Dales. It links Wensleydale to Wharfedale over lonely moorland via the tiny hamlets of Langstrothdale.
Swaledale Road
The B6270 follows the Swale from Richmond through Reeth, Muker and Keld, then climbs over the watershed to Nateby and Kirkby Stephen. It is the Dales at their most beautiful and a joy on two wheels.
Skipton to Harrogate
The A59 crosses the edge of the Dales via Bolton Abbey and Blubberhouses Moor. It is a fast, open main road with great sweepers — and one where speed enforcement and safety campaigns are very visible.
Blakey Ridge
The road over Blakey Ridge runs along the spine of the North York Moors past the Lion Inn, with Farndale on one side and Rosedale on the other. It is open, lonely and beautiful, especially when the heather is out.
Pickering to Whitby
The A169 strikes across the heart of the moors past the Hole of Horcum and Fylingdales before dropping down to Whitby. Big sweepers, long sightlines and a seaside finish make it a proper day out.
Rosedale Chimney Bank
Rosedale Chimney Bank is one of the steepest roads in England, with hairpins at around 1 in 3. It is a short test of clutch control and nerve rather than a flowing drive, with superb views from the top.
Hardknott Pass
Hardknott Pass shares the title of steepest road in England, with sections around 1 in 3 and tight hairpins on a single-track lane. Past the Roman fort, it is a bucket-list climb that demands respect.
Wrynose Pass
Wrynose Pass climbs from Little Langdale to the Three Shire Stone, where Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire once met. It is almost as steep as Hardknott and the two are usually driven together.
Kirkstone Pass
The A592 over Kirkstone Pass is the highest pass in the Lake District open to motor traffic. It climbs from Windermere past the Kirkstone Pass Inn and down to Brothers Water and Ullswater.
Honister Pass
Honister Pass climbs out of Borrowdale to the old slate mine, then drops dramatically into the Buttermere valley. Gradients reach around 1 in 4 and the scenery is some of the finest in the Lakes.
Windermere to Keswick
The A591 is the spine of the Lake District, passing Ambleside, Rydal Water and Grasmere before climbing over Dunmail Raise to Thirlmere and Keswick. It is more scenic than challenging, and the ideal link road.
Hartside Pass
The A686 climbs from the Eden Valley up a series of long hairpins to Hartside Top, one of the highest points on an A-road in England, then crosses the moor to Alston. It is a legendary biking road.
Alston to Stanhope
The A689 crosses the North Pennines past Nenthead and Killhope into Weardale. It climbs high, runs fast and passes the old lead-mining landscape that shaped this remote area.
Teesdale Road
The B6277 follows the Tees upstream past High Force waterfall, then climbs across wild fell to Alston. Traffic is light, the surface is generally good and the scenery gets wilder with every mile.
A68 to Carter Bar
The A68 north of Corbridge is famous for its rollercoaster sections, where the Roman-straight road rises and falls over countless crests. It ends at Carter Bar on the Scottish border, with views deep into the Borders.
Military Road
The B6318 Military Road was built along the line of Hadrian's Wall, and in places the road sits right on top of it. It is a switchback of dips and crests with Roman forts and big Northumbrian skies.
Llanberis Pass
The A4086 through Llanberis Pass squeezes between towering rock faces and boulder fields at the foot of Yr Wyddfa. It is dramatic, twisting and one of the most photographed roads in Wales.
Ogwen Valley
Thomas Telford's A5 runs through Capel Curig and along Llyn Ogwen beneath Tryfan, one of the most striking mountains in Wales. It is a fast historic road with scenery that keeps getting better.
Nant Gwynant
The A498 drops from Pen-y-Gwryd with a famous viewpoint over the Gwynant valley, then winds past Llyn Gwynant and Llyn Dinas to the village of Beddgelert.
Bwlch y Groes
Bwlch y Groes, the Pass of the Cross, is among the highest public roads in Wales. A single-track lane climbs steeply out of the Dyfi valley to a remote summit before dropping towards Bala Lake.
Horseshoe Pass
The A542 climbs from Llangollen past Valle Crucis Abbey and around a great horseshoe-shaped valley to the summit café. It is one of Britain's most popular biking roads and a busy weekend meeting point.
Evo Triangle
The Evo Triangle is a loop of the A543, B4501 and A5 over the Denbigh Moors, made famous by evo magazine's road tests. Fast, open moorland roads and Llyn Brenig make it a car-club favourite.
Rhayader to Aberystwyth
The A44 crosses the Cambrian Mountains from Rhayader via Llangurig and Ponterwyd to the coast at Aberystwyth. Long, fast bends, good sightlines and little traffic make it a Mid Wales classic.
Elan Valley Mountain Road
The mountain road from Rhayader to Cwmystwyth crosses some of the emptiest country in Wales, past the upper Elan Valley reservoirs. It is narrow, quiet and wonderfully remote.
Black Mountain Pass
The A4069 over the Black Mountain is famous for the horseshoe bend near its summit and appearances on Top Gear. Hairpins, open moor and views across Carmarthenshire make it one of the best roads in Wales.
Gospel Pass
The Gospel Pass climbs from Hay-on-Wye into the Black Mountains and runs down the Vale of Ewyas to Llanthony Priory. It is single track, slow and one of the highest roads in Wales.
Brecon to Hirwaun
The A4059 climbs out of Brecon across the open slopes of Fan Fawr near Storey Arms and down towards Hirwaun. It is fast and open, with the peaks of the Beacons towering to the east.
Wye Valley Road
The A466 follows the River Wye through a steep wooded gorge from Monmouth to Chepstow, passing the ruins of Tintern Abbey. It is relaxed and scenic, especially in autumn colour.
Bealach na Bà
The Bealach na Bà, or Pass of the Cattle, climbs from sea level to around 626 metres with Alpine-style hairpins. It is one of the greatest roads in Britain and a highlight of the North Coast 500.
North Coast 500
The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile loop from Inverness around the north of Scotland via John o' Groats, Durness, Ullapool and Applecross. It is the UK's most famous road trip and best done over five to seven days.
Glencoe & Rannoch Moor
The A82 from Tyndrum crosses the vast emptiness of Rannoch Moor, passes Buachaille Etive Mòr and drops through Glencoe. It is the grandest main road in Britain.
Torridon Road
The A896 runs through Glen Torridon beneath some of Scotland's most dramatic mountains, including Liathach and Beinn Eighe. Mostly single track in places, it is wild, beautiful and part of the NC500.
Rest and Be Thankful
The A83 climbs from Loch Long through Glen Croe to the Rest and Be Thankful summit, then drops to Loch Fyne and Inveraray. Landslips have caused many closures, so always check its status before you set off.
Duke's Pass
The A821 Duke's Pass climbs from Aberfoyle through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park into the Trossachs. It is short, twisty and very popular with riders from Glasgow and Stirling.
Snow Roads Scenic Route
The Snow Roads Scenic Route crosses the Cairngorms National Park over Glenshee — Britain's highest main-road pass — and the Lecht. It passes Braemar and Tomintoul on the way to Speyside.
Trotternish Loop
The Trotternish loop circles Skye's northern peninsula from Portree past the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing, returning via Uig. It is one of the most scenic short loops in Britain.
Moffat to Selkirk
The A708 climbs from Moffat past the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall and along St Mary's Loch to Selkirk. It is a quiet, flowing Southern Uplands road loved by riders.
Porlock to Lynmouth
The A39 climbs Porlock Hill — around 1 in 4 with tight hairpins — onto Exmoor, then runs along the clifftops before plunging down Countisbury Hill to Lynmouth. Short, steep and spectacular.
Dartmoor Crossing
The B3212 crosses Dartmoor from Moretonhampstead through Postbridge, Two Bridges and Princetown to Yelverton. It is an open, rolling moor road with granite tors and free-roaming animals.
Tavistock to Ashburton
The B3357 crosses Dartmoor west to east via Two Bridges and Dartmeet, where the East and West Dart rivers meet. The descent to Dartmeet and climb out of the valley are the highlights.
St Ives to St Just
The B3306 hugs the Atlantic coast of the Penwith peninsula past Zennor and old tin-mining country around Pendeen. It is narrow and slow but among the most atmospheric roads in England.
Cheddar Gorge
The B3135 winds up through Cheddar Gorge between limestone cliffs over 100 metres high, with a sharp bend at the Horseshoe Bend. It is Britain's biggest gorge and a short, memorable drive.
Dorset Coast Road
The B3157 runs above Chesil Beach from Weymouth to Bridport via Abbotsbury, climbing high over the downs with views along the Jurassic Coast.
The A272
The A272 wanders across Hampshire and Sussex from near Winchester to Heathfield, through Petersfield, Midhurst and Petworth. Celebrated in print as an ode to a road, it is the south's favourite enthusiast route.
Box Hill Zig Zag
The zig-zag road up Box Hill was used in the 2012 Olympic road race and is one of the closest proper hill climbs to London. The summit area is a long-standing meeting spot for riders, drivers and cyclists.
Stow to Tewkesbury
The B4077 crosses the high Cotswolds from Stow, then drops down the escarpment at Stanway Hill with views over the Vale of Evesham before running on to Tewkesbury.
Cleeve Hill
The B4632 climbs out of Cheltenham over Cleeve Hill, the highest point in the Cotswolds, before dropping to Winchcombe. Short but with one of the best views in Gloucestershire.
Clee Hill
The A4117 climbs from Ludlow onto Clee Hill with some of the widest views in the Marches, then winds down to Cleobury Mortimer. Fast, open and a great partner to lanes around Ludlow.
The Burway, Long Mynd
The Burway climbs from Church Stretton onto the Long Mynd along a narrow ledge with steep drops into Carding Mill Valley. It is single track and not for the faint-hearted, with superb views at the top.
Snaefell Mountain Course
The TT course is a 37.73-mile loop of everyday public roads through Douglas, Ramsey and over the shoulder of Snaefell. Riding it at road-legal pace is still an unforgettable experience for any motorcyclist.
Causeway Coastal Route
The Causeway Coastal Route follows the Antrim coast from Belfast through the Glens of Antrim to the Giant's Causeway and on to Derry~Londonderry. It is one of Europe's great coast roads.
Torr Head Scenic Road
The Torr Head road is a narrow, rollercoaster detour off the Causeway Coastal Route, climbing over headlands with views across to Scotland's Mull of Kintyre on clear days.