Where is Cairnwell Pass?
Scotland, europe
23.97 km
684 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in Scotland, right? Smack dab in the central Highlands, cruising between Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. You're on the A93, heading for the Cairnwell Pass. This isn't just any road; it's the UK's highest main road, topping out at 684 meters (2,244 feet)!
The pass stretches for about 24 kilometers (almost 15 miles) from Glen Shee up to Braemar. The traffic is light, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. This route isn't for the faint of heart though – it's seriously steep! We're talking double-digit gradients, with some ramps hitting a wild 17%!
Historically, this route was used to move cattle and sheep, following a military road built way back in the 1750s. Nowadays, it's paved but be warned: even though it's usually open year-round, winter can bring heavy snow, especially overnight on the long southern approach. A mile before the summit, you can even check out the original, bypassed Devil's Elbow with its hair-raising double hairpin bend. These days, the summit area is home to the Glenshee Ski Centre, Scotland's biggest and oldest ski resort!
Road Details
- Country
- Scotland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 23.97 km
- Max Elevation
- 684 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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