The United Kingdom contains some remarkable driving roads, from mountain passes and sea-loch routes to coastal clifftop roads and broad moorland drives. The best scenic drive is not always the longest route. In many cases, the most memorable experiences come from a short stretch of road where the views, surrounding landscape and sense of arrival are unusually strong.
A scenic drive should still be planned carefully. Roads that look short on a map can be narrow, steep, exposed or slow, and many of the most beautiful routes are best enjoyed with regular stops for walking, viewpoints or local villages. The aim should not be to rush through as many roads as possible, but to choose routes that reveal the landscape clearly.
This guide brings together 20 of the best scenic drives in the UK. It is not a rigid ranking. Instead, it focuses on roads and short routes that stand out for their scenery, atmosphere and overall driving experience across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Best scenic drives in Scotland
1. Drive the Bealach na Bà to Applecross
Route: Tornapress to Applecross, Wester Ross
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: 2 to 4 hours including stops
- Approximate route length: 11 miles over the pass, with wider touring extensions available
- The road can be difficult in poor weather and is unsuitable for some large vehicles
Estimated cost: ££
The Bealach na Bà is one of the most dramatic roads in Britain.
Climbing steeply from the east side of the Applecross peninsula, the road twists through sharp hairpins to a high pass before descending towards the coast. The changing perspective across mountains, sea and open Highland landscape is what makes the route so memorable.
It is not simply a scenic drive but also a technically demanding one, especially in mist, strong wind or heavy tourist traffic.
Pro tip:
Drive slowly, use passing places correctly and allow time to stop safely after the pass rather than trying to photograph while moving.
2. Follow the road through Glencoe
Route: A82 through Glencoe, Highlands
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: half a day with stops
- The core scenic section runs roughly between Bridge of Orchy and Ballachulish
- Weather and traffic can affect visibility and travel time
Estimated cost: ££
The A82 through Glencoe is one of Scotland’s defining scenic drives.
The road crosses Rannoch Moor before entering the dramatic walls of the glen, where steep mountains rise directly from the roadside. Waterfalls, viewpoints and walking routes make this far more than a drive-through photo opportunity.
Even visitors familiar with images of Glencoe are often surprised by the scale of the landscape in person.
Pro tip:
Do not stop only at the first busy viewpoint. Continue through the glen and include a short walk for a fuller sense of the landscape.
3. Drive Glen Etive
Route: Turn-off from the A82 near Glencoe, Highlands
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: 2 to 4 hours return
- The single-track road runs to the head of Loch Etive
- Passing places are essential and the road is not suited to rushed driving
Estimated cost: ££
The road into Glen Etive offers one of Scotland’s strongest shorter scenic drives.
After leaving the A82, the route narrows into a quieter glen of mountains, river and lochside scenery. Deer are common, the sense of isolation grows steadily and the views change throughout the drive.
It is a much calmer experience than the main road through Glencoe and rewards visitors willing to move slowly.
Pro tip:
Drive to the end rather than turning back early, and expect to spend more time than the mileage suggests.
4. Take the Snow Roads Scenic Route
Route: Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey, eastern Highlands
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: 1 to 3 days depending on stops
- Approximate route length: 90 miles
- High roads can be difficult or closed in winter weather
Estimated cost: ££
The Snow Roads cross the eastern Cairngorms through big mountain scenery, high passes and Highland villages.
Glenshee, Braemar, Ballater and Tomintoul provide the main staging points, while viewpoints, castles and short walks add depth. The route feels more remote and elevated than its modest mileage suggests.
Its name reflects real conditions, and weather should always be taken seriously.
Pro tip:
Check conditions in advance and allow at least one overnight stop instead of trying to squeeze the route into a quick transfer day.
5. Drive the Great Glen beside Loch Ness
Route: Fort William to Inverness, Highlands
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: full day with stops
- Approximate direct distance: 66 miles
- Several sections of the drive have worthwhile detours and viewpoints
Estimated cost: ££
The Great Glen links Fort William and Inverness along a natural fault line occupied by deep lochs and the Caledonian Canal.
Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness create a sequence of long water views framed by hills and woodland. Urquhart Castle, canal locks and short lochside walks make the route more varied than a simple loch drive.
It is especially rewarding for visitors who want strong scenery without the narrowest Highland roads.
Pro tip:
Use the quieter B-roads and viewpoints where practical instead of staying on the fastest main-road line throughout.
6. Explore the Trotternish Loop on Skye
Route: Portree and the Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: full day
- The loop combines short scenic driving sections with essential stops
- Traffic, parking pressure and weather can affect the day considerably
Estimated cost: £££
The Trotternish Loop is one of the UK’s most scenic island drives.
The route links Portree with the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing and the northern reaches of the peninsula before returning along the western side. Mountains, cliffs, waterfalls and sea views appear repeatedly.
It is not a route to rush. The quality of the day depends on getting out of the car and walking to the viewpoints that make the landscape meaningful.
Pro tip:
Start early and prioritise a few stops properly rather than attempting every pull-in when the route is crowded.
7. Drive through Assynt and around Kylesku
Route: North-west Highlands, Scotland
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: full day or longer
- Road distances are modest but driving is slow
- Single-track roads and changing weather require careful planning
Estimated cost: ££
Assynt contains some of the most distinctive mountain and loch scenery in Britain.
Roads around Kylesku, Loch Assynt and the isolated peaks of Suilven, Quinag and Stac Pollaidh reveal a landscape that feels much wilder than most of mainland Britain. The Kylesku Bridge itself adds one of the route’s best-known visual moments.
This is a region where even short drives deserve time and patience.
Pro tip:
Choose a small number of stops and viewpoints rather than trying to cover the entire area in one over-ambitious circuit.
Best scenic drives in England
8. Drive Hardknott and Wrynose Passes
Route: Eskdale to Little Langdale, Lake District
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: half a day with stops
- The route is short in distance but very demanding
- Steep gradients and narrow bends make it unsuitable for nervous drivers and larger vehicles
Estimated cost: ££
Hardknott and Wrynose create the most dramatic mountain-road drive in England.
The route crosses the western Lake District through extremely steep passes, with stone walls, valley views and changing mountain perspectives. Hardknott Roman Fort adds historic interest near the western approach.
The drive is memorable partly because it feels demanding and exposed rather than polished.
Pro tip:
Attempt the route only in good visibility and drive it for the landscape, not for speed or convenience.
9. Follow Borrowdale and Honister Pass
Route: Keswick to Buttermere, Lake District
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: half a day
- The drive includes several short but dramatic sections
- Weather, traffic and farm vehicles can slow progress
Estimated cost: ££
Borrowdale and Honister Pass provide one of the most beautiful moderate drives in the Lake District.
The route begins with woodland and lakeside scenery south of Keswick before climbing into the mountain pass and descending towards Buttermere. It offers a strong sense of transition between enclosed valley and open upland scenery.
It is less extreme than Hardknott but often more broadly enjoyable for most drivers.
Pro tip:
Stop at Derwentwater or Buttermere as well as the pass itself so the route feels like a complete landscape journey.
10. Drive Buttertubs Pass
Route: Hawes to Thwaite, Yorkshire Dales
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: 2 to 4 hours with village stops
- The pass itself is short but best combined with surrounding dales roads
- Road conditions can be poor in winter weather
Estimated cost: ££
Buttertubs Pass is one of northern England’s most distinctive moorland roads.
The route climbs from Hawes into high open country before crossing between stone walls and descending towards Swaledale. The combination of big skies, upland views and classic Dales scenery gives it a strong sense of place.
The road is short enough to pair easily with neighbouring valleys and villages.
Pro tip:
Combine the pass with time in both Wensleydale and Swaledale rather than driving it simply as a quick there-and-back.
11. Drive Winnats Pass
Route: Castleton, Peak District
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: 1 to 3 hours with local stops
- The road section itself is short
- Traffic and parking pressures can be significant at busy times
Estimated cost: £
Winnats Pass cuts through a dramatic limestone gorge near Castleton in the Peak District.
Its steep-sided rock walls create an unexpectedly powerful short drive, particularly when approached from the valley floor. The pass works best as part of a broader visit including Castleton, Mam Tor or a local walk.
It is a scenic drive in miniature rather than a major touring route.
Pro tip:
Drive the pass as part of a quieter early-morning or evening visit, then explore the surrounding landscape on foot.
12. Take the Atlantic Highway in north Cornwall
Route: Bude to Newquay via the A39 and coastal detours
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: full day or longer
- The core road is straightforward, but the best scenery comes from detours
- Summer traffic can be heavy
Estimated cost: ££
The Atlantic Highway itself does not always sit beside the sea, but it provides access to some of north Cornwall’s most scenic coastal drives.
Short diversions towards Tintagel, Port Isaac, Bedruthan and Newquay reveal cliffs, beaches and classic Cornwall village scenery. The attraction lies in the rhythm of moving between open road and dramatic coast.
It works best for visitors who want a gentler scenic drive rather than a high mountain road.
Pro tip:
Use the A39 as the framework and choose only a few coastal detours rather than trying to drive into every famous village.
13. Drive Cheddar Gorge
Route: Cheddar, Somerset
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: 1 to 3 hours with viewpoints
- The road through the gorge is relatively short
- Traffic, walkers and cyclists require careful driving
Estimated cost: £
Cheddar Gorge is one of England’s most recognisable limestone road landscapes.
The road winds between steep rock walls and viewpoints before emerging onto the Mendip plateau. The contrast between enclosed gorge and open upland makes the short route particularly effective.
It is more rewarding when combined with a walk or cave visit rather than treated only as a through-road.
Pro tip:
Drive the gorge outside the busiest middle-of-day period if possible, then stop to see it from above as well as from road level.
14. Explore the Norfolk Coast Road
Route: Hunstanton to Cromer, Norfolk
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: full day or 2 days with stops
- The route follows or links the north Norfolk coast
- Bird reserves and beach access can involve separate parking and opening arrangements
Estimated cost: ££
The north Norfolk coast offers a subtler scenic drive built around big skies, dunes, marshes and village character.
Hunstanton, Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney and Cley all contribute to a route that feels spacious and calm rather than dramatic in a mountainous sense. The scenery is strongest for visitors who appreciate shifting tides, light and wildlife-rich landscapes.
It is best enjoyed slowly, with frequent stops away from the car.
Pro tip:
Treat the route as a series of short coastal visits rather than a single continuous drive from end to end.
Best scenic drives in Wales
15. Drive the Black Mountain Pass
Route: A4069 between Llangadog and Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Wales
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: 2 to 4 hours with stops
- The main scenic section is relatively short
- Weather, livestock and motorbike traffic all affect conditions
Estimated cost: ££
The Black Mountain Pass is one of Wales’s best-known driving roads.
Twisting across open upland scenery on the western side of Bannau Brycheiniog, it combines broad views with a sequence of bends that attract enthusiastic drivers and riders. The route feels most impressive when the weather is clear and the mountains are fully visible.
Its popularity means care and patience are essential.
Pro tip:
Drive for the scenery rather than the road’s reputation, and include a stop in the surrounding landscape instead of only crossing the pass.
16. Explore the Elan Valley
Route: Near Rhayader, mid Wales
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: half a day or full day
- The scenic loop links reservoirs, dams and upland roads
- Some roads are narrow and weather can change quickly
Estimated cost: ££
The Elan Valley offers one of Wales’s most distinctive inland scenic drives.
Victorian dams, long reservoirs, open moorland and quiet roads create a route that feels both engineered and remote. The scale of the landscape, particularly around the water, is larger than many first-time visitors expect.
It suits travellers who want scenic driving without the busier mountain roads of north Wales.
Pro tip:
Stop at the dams and visitor points rather than simply following the loop, since the route’s character lies in the details.
17. Drive around Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass
Route: Llanberis, Pen-y-Pass and surrounding roads, Eryri
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: half a day with stops
- Road access and parking restrictions apply in peak season
- Mountain weather can change rapidly
Estimated cost: ££
The roads around Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass provide one of the strongest short mountain drives in Wales.
Llyn Padarn, steep valley walls and the road rising towards Pen-y-Pass create a compact route with a strong sense of scale. The area is also rich in slate heritage and mountain walking.
Because it is a gateway to Yr Wyddfa, the route can become extremely busy.
Pro tip:
Start early and expect to leave the car for at least one short walk or viewpoint stop rather than treating the route as a pure drive.
18. Drive the west coast of Anglesey
Route: Around Newborough, Aberffraw and Rhosneigr, Anglesey
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: half a day or full day
- The route works best with beach and headland stops
- Summer traffic and weather can affect the day
Estimated cost: ££
The west coast of Anglesey offers a scenic drive of beaches, dunes and open sea views.
Newborough Forest and Llanddwyn, Aberffraw and the coast around Rhosneigr create a route that feels lighter and more open than mountain drives elsewhere in Wales. It is especially strong in clear weather when the sea and mountain backdrop both stand out.
The drive is best for atmosphere rather than technical challenge.
Pro tip:
Take time to walk out to Llanddwyn or one of the beaches so the route becomes more than a chain of roadside views.
Best scenic drives in Northern Ireland
19. Drive the Antrim Coast Road
Route: Larne to Ballycastle, County Antrim
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: full day or longer
- The route can be extended into the Causeway Coast
- Weather, coastal traffic and stop frequency affect overall timing
Estimated cost: ££
The Antrim Coast Road is one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the UK.
Cliffs, sea views, villages and the Glens of Antrim create a route that feels consistently dramatic without becoming monotonous. It is one of those roads where even the quieter stretches retain a strong sense of place.
This is the scenic heart of the wider Causeway Coast journey.
Pro tip:
Drive it slowly and stop often. The route is much more rewarding when broken by beaches, glens and village walks.
20. Explore the Mourne Coastal Route
Route: Bangor to Newcastle via Strangford Lough and County Down coast
Trip planning:
- Recommended duration: full day or 2 days
- The drive combines lough scenery, coast and mountain views
- Ferry crossings and opening times should be checked in advance if included
Estimated cost: ££
The Mourne Coastal Route combines one of Northern Ireland’s most varied scenic drives with easier access than the Antrim coast.
The route links Strangford Lough, small harbour towns and the growing silhouette of the Mourne Mountains above the coast. Newcastle provides the clearest meeting point of sea and mountains, but the smaller settlements and inlets are equally important.
It is a quieter, more layered drive than many visitors expect.
Pro tip:
Stay overnight near Newcastle or Strangford Lough so the route does not become a long, rushed day from Belfast.
How to plan a scenic drive in the UK
The best scenic drives are usually shorter than the best road trips. A route of 20 or 30 miles through the right landscape can be more memorable than a whole day spent trying to cover too much ground. It is often better to pair one scenic road with a village, walk, viewpoint or lunch stop than to string together several famous roads in a single overlong day.
Weather matters greatly. Cloud, rain, strong wind or mist can completely change the experience on mountain passes, coastal roads and exposed moorland routes. This does not mean cancelling the trip at the first sign of bad weather, but it does mean being realistic about visibility and road conditions.
Many of the roads in this guide are narrow or steep. Passing places should be used properly, slower vehicles should allow others to pass where safe and travellers should never stop in dangerous locations simply because a view appears suddenly. Some routes, particularly Bealach na Bà and Hardknott Pass, are not suitable for every driver or vehicle.
Parking can also shape the day. Routes such as the Trotternish Loop, Pen-y-Pass and popular sections of the Lake District become much more enjoyable when started early. In places such as Norfolk or Anglesey, the scenic drive works best when combined with repeated short walks rather than long roadside waits.
Food, fuel and charging should be considered before leaving major towns, especially in remote Highland, mid Wales or island areas. Mobile reception may be limited, so offline maps and pre-downloaded directions are useful.
No single scenic drive suits every traveller. Bealach na Bà, Hardknott and the Black Mountain Pass are especially memorable for dramatic roads; Glencoe, the Antrim Coast and the Great Glen are stronger for broader scenery with easier access; and routes such as Norfolk, Anglesey and the Elan Valley reward visitors looking for a slower, less obvious kind of beauty. The best choice depends on the season, confidence on rural roads and how much time you want to spend outside the car as well as in it.
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George Davies
Regional and city guide writer
George covers location led guides, city roundups, regional comparisons, attractions, markets, museums and practical local recommendations.