United Kingdom, Caithness, Scotland
Two tight hairpin descents drop the A9 into a dramatic cliffside river gorge.
Length
6 km
In miles
3.7 mi
Driving time
10 min
Atlas rating
8.5 / 10
The run
Berriedale to Dunbeath, following the A9. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Steep hairpins can ice in winter
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Every road in the library carries a driving and scenery score set by the same method. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 27 June 2026
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Plan around it
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A to B journeys
Longer journeys