Steeps › The steepest roads in Scotland
The steepest roads in Scotland
Scotland's best-known steep road is the Bealach na Bà, the pass of the cattle, which climbs from sea level to 630 metres on the way to Applecross.
Bealach na Bà, Highland
The road runs between Loch Kishorn and the village of Applecross on the west coast. Wikipedia says the pass climbs 630 metres (2,070 feet) from sea level over about 6 km, with some sections approaching 20%. BikeRadar gives the average as 7% and the maximum as 20%. That makes it less steep than Hardknott or Rosedale, but much longer and higher, and in a very exposed setting.
Why it exists
Construction began in May 1818. The first contractor quit within three months, and John Reid and Son of Edinburgh finished the road in September 1822. The road still has very tight hairpin bends that switch back and forth up the hillside.
Driving it
- It is a single-track road with passing laybys, so be ready to reverse to the nearest one when you meet oncoming traffic.
- Wikipedia says it is unsuitable for learner drivers and very large vehicles, and often impassable in winter.
- Use a low gear on the descent so you do not overheat the brakes.
- Check local traffic and road-closure information before you set out.
Our driving steep hills guide has more general advice.
Cycling it
It is often described as one of Britain's great climbs. The average is gentler than the English short climbs, but the length makes it a real effort; see cycling climbs.
What about Northern Ireland?
We could not find a reliably documented steepest road in Northern Ireland, and we would rather leave it out than quote an unverified figure. The rest of Scotland also has many steep roads, but gradients are not as widely documented as the Applecross pass, so we stick to what the sources say.
Where next
For the English list see England, and for the Welsh street at the centre of the world record row, see Wales.
Why gradients in Scotland are less documented
The Bealach na Bà is the only Scottish road that appears in all of the sources we opened, which says something about how well known it is. The Highlands and islands have many steep single-track roads, but there is no widely cited list with measured gradients. Rather than quote an unreliable number we stay with this one. The pass also shows that a headline gradient is not the whole story: its average is about 7%, yet its length, altitude and exposure make it harder than a short 20% hill.
Planning
Allow extra time, carry food and water, and fill up with fuel in advance. Weather on the summit can differ completely from the weather at the coast, and mobile signal can be poor. In winter the road is often impassable.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the Bealach na Bà?
630 metres (2,070 feet), starting from sea level at Applecross, according to Wikipedia.
How steep is it?
Some sections approach 20%, with an average around 7% according to BikeRadar.
When was the road built?
Between May 1818 and September 1822.