United Kingdom, Wester Ross, Scotland
A narrow, twisting sea loch road with constant views over to the Applecross hills.
Length
25 km
In miles
15.5 mi
Driving time
38 min
Atlas rating
8.9 / 10
The run
Lochcarron to Shieldaig, following the A896. Drive it in either direction, though the views usually favour the climb.
Season
Can be affected by winter storms
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 22 March 2026
Nearby
6 km away
Applecross Coast Road
A lochside single track with views straight across to Skye and the Cuillins.
12 km away
Bealach na Ba
Britain's highest road climbs via hairpins to a wild moonscape pass above Applecross.
43 km away
Glen Shiel Road
A fast sweeping glen road beneath the jagged Five Sisters of Kintail ridge.
45 km away
Quiraing Road
A high single track skirting the surreal landslipped pinnacles of the Trotternish ridge.
46 km away
Corrieshalloch Road
A flowing highland road that skirts a spectacular hidden gorge and waterfall.
101 km away
Kylesku to Durness
A remote NC500 highlight of sea lochs, switchbacks and empty moorland roads.
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