United Kingdom, Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland
One of the world's great coast roads, hugging cliffs beneath nine dramatic glens.
Length
48 km
In miles
29.8 mi
Driving time
1 hr 12 min
Atlas rating
9.1 / 10
The run
Larne to Portrush, following the A2. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Open year round in normal conditions, with the usual care after rain or frost.
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 9 April 2026
Nearby
11 km away
Torr Head Coast Road
A hair raising cliff edge single track with views across to the Mull of Kintyre.
53 km away
Glenshane Pass
Northern Ireland's highest main road crossing sweeps over bleak Sperrin moorland.
92 km away
Electric Brae Road
A coastal optical illusion road where cars appear to roll uphill on their own.
150 km away
Rest and Be Thankful
A dramatic zigzag climb through Glen Croe famous for its recurring landslides.
189 km away
Glencoe Road
A sweeping run through Rannoch Moor beneath the brooding Buachaille Etive Mor.
193 km away
Honister Pass
A steep slate quarry pass squeezed between towering fells above Buttermere.
Plan around it
Curated drives
United Kingdom, Wales
Black Mountain Pass
The A4069, Britain's most photogenic set of hairpins.
United Kingdom, Scotland
North West Highlands
Empty single-track, sea lochs and the Bealach na Bà.
United Kingdom, Scottish Highlands
Bealach na Bà and Applecross
Britain's most alpine road, then a coast road that most people never bother to finish.
A to B journeys
4 days
London to Lake Garda
The classic run south from England to the Italian lakes, taken the long way through the Alps rather than straight down the autoroute.
4 days
London to The Dolomites
The best pass driving in Europe sits at the end of this one, reached through Germany and Austria rather than Switzerland.
3 days
London to Monaco
Straight down France and into the Alpes Maritimes, with the Route Napoléon and Col de Turini as the finale.
Longer journeys