United Kingdom, Cairngorms, Scotland
Scotland's highest main road summit crossing wide open Cairngorm moorland.
Length
33 km
In miles
20.5 mi
Driving time
36 min
Atlas rating
8.2 / 10
The run
Dalwhinnie to Blair Atholl, following the A9. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Snow and wind closures common 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 14 April 2026
Nearby
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Glencoe Road
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Glen Shiel Road
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Lochcarron Coastal Road
A narrow, twisting sea loch road with constant views over to the Applecross hills.
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Bealach na Ba
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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
Longer journeys