This route winds through stunning Scottish scenery. Crags blanketed in grass loom on either side like daunting roadside guardians. With its sharp curves and coils, it almost looks like a giant asphalt snake slithering through the Highlands.

Top Places in Scotland

Orkney, Scotland

The Italian Chapel

This tin chapel was built by POW's during World War II and is painted to look like something much more grand.

58.8897, -2.8901

Added by vibrantgreen

South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Blantyre Carvings

These mysterious religious carvings were once thought to be thousands of years old but are actually the work of modern eccentric.

55.8145, -4.1019

Added by stevied

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

North Rona Island

This remote Scottish isle is only inhabited by seals, birds, and the memory of a tragic settlement.

59.1227, -5.8265

Added by The Minx

See more things to do in Scotland »

This five-mile (nine-kilometer) road became part of the scenic North Coast 500 route when it was launched in 2015. However, this single winding track has been around a lot longer.

It was originally a droveway, a track used to move livestock from one place to another. As such, the road is known also by its other name, Bealach na Ba (Gaelic for the “Pass of the Cattle” and pronounced byee-alluch nuh bah). It was the only access in and out of Applecross until 1975.

The road is beloved of cyclists keen to test their legs. It has the steepest ascent of any road in the United Kingdom, starting from sea level and rising to 2,054 feet (626 meters). Its challenging hairpin bends are a magnet for bikers and its outstanding views over to the Isle of Skye and magnificent topography delight tourists and locals alike. However, it is not for the faint hearted.