10 Most Dangerous Roads to Drive on in the UK
Scotland, europe
N/A
512 m
extreme
Year-round
Cruising through the Lake District? Buckle up for the Kirkstone Pass! As the region's highest pass, linking Ambleside to Patterdale, it's a rollercoaster of twists, turns, and steep climbs. The views are epic, but Mother Nature can throw curveballs, and mountain rescue teams are regulars here. Local legends even whisper of ghostly hitchhikers!
Hold on tight! This short stretch packs a punch with a maximum gradient of 33%! Locals call it 'the chain breaker' – even cyclists struggle to conquer its steepness. Winter brings ice and accidents, often shutting it down completely. Proceed with extreme caution!
The Cat and Fiddle Road: adventure with a side of danger! Winding between Macclesfield and Buxton, this route earned the nickname 'The Widow Maker'. Expect sharp bends, steep drops, and breathtaking scenery. It's a high-stakes drive where focus is key!
The A496 from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llanelltyd will take your breath away with its beauty but will test your driving skills. Nestled in the heart of Snowdonia, this road is a cocktail of dramatic twists and technical turns. Rain and fog can turn treacherous quickly, so stay sharp!
The A1 roars with up to 69,000 vehicles every single day. High speeds and outdated junctions make it a hotspot for accidents. Stay alert, especially around junctions, and be prepared for sudden changes in traffic flow.
Snake Pass slithers across the Pennines with seriously sharp turns at an elevation of 1,680 feet. Built way back in 1821, it's notorious for winter closures due to snow. Oh, and good luck getting a phone signal!
Devon and Cornwall deliver scenic drives but beware the A388! This road is tricky for inexperienced drivers, with deceptive light changes under heavy tree cover and some seriously unusual junctions. Stay laser-focused – those bends can be unpredictable!
The Hardknott Pass is as ancient as it is challenging. Expect hairpin turns, sweeping bends, and a stomach-churning 33% gradient. Not for the faint of heart, or those unaccustomed to alpine-style conditions!
The A285 (Petworth to Chichester): This road is infamous for accidents, with a lethal combo of fast straights, hidden bends, and sudden dips. Familiarize yourself with the route before you go, or you may be caught by surprise.
Windswept and wild, the A965 in the Orkney Islands connects Kirkwall and Stromness. This exposed road faces brutal Atlantic winds and frequent congestion. During bad weather, extreme caution is a must.
Where is it?
10 Most Dangerous Roads to Drive on in the UK is located in Scotland (europe). Coordinates: 55.1725, -2.3630
Road Details
- Country
- Scotland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 512 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 55.1725, -2.3630
Related Roads in europe
extremeDriving the demanding Road F235 (Langisjór)
🇮🇸 Iceland
Craving an off-the-beaten-path Icelandic adventure? Then F235 to Langisjór is calling your name! Tucked away in the south of Iceland, this road isn't for the faint of heart – you'll need a 4x4 beast with serious ground clearance to tackle it. Clocking in at about 25km (15.8 miles), the F235 winds its way from the F208 to the breathtaking Langisjór, a glacial lake known for its stunning clarity. Seriously, this lake is a hidden gem! But fair warning: getting there involves some rugged terrain and a barren landscape. The track? Let's just say it's "character-building." Think rocky, rough, and definitely not suitable for your average car. Seriously, don't even try it. If you conquer the initial river crossing, the rest of the path is manageable, albeit still bumpy. Nestled in the Icelandic Highlands, within Vatnajökull National Park, the F235 is only open during the summer months (late June to early September). This route climbs to a dizzying 686m (2,250ft), making it one of Iceland's highest roads! Now, about those river crossings... They're part of the adventure! But approach with caution. Never attempt a crossing alone, especially during heavy rain. Water levels can rise faster than you can say "glacier," and only experienced drivers in properly equipped jeeps or super trucks should even think about it. Always check the river's depth first and remember – rental car insurance rarely covers water damage! It's an unforgettable drive, especially during the day, but be aware that it can be particularly treacherous at night.
hardWhat’s the Anfo Ridge Road?
🇮🇹 Italy
Deep in the Lombardy region of Italy, a stone's throw from Brescia, lies the legendary Anfo Ridge Road. Trust me, this isn't just a drive, it's a full-blown experience! This old military road, tracing paths that Romans may have walked, definitely lives up to its fearsome reputation. Think rugged, think scenic, think beautiful... but also think dusty and stony! This route, carved into the Orobie Alps, features a mix of paved and unpaved sections, plus four short, dark tunnels. It was even closed for six years due to a landslide, but thankfully reopened in 2009, with some new tunnels added later to bypass the trickiest spots. Stretching just over 20 kilometers, the road winds its way from Anfo. What makes it challenging? Oh, just a few things: rock fall risk, sheer drops, hairpin turns, and a narrow, pot-holed surface. We're talking maximum grades of 12 percent, with a speed limit of 20 km/h. And leave your oversized vehicles at home — it's closed to anything wider than 2.5 meters or taller than 3.2 meters. Because of its condition, expect minimal traffic. Let's be real, nobody's rushing to make this road consistently navigable. This high-altitude road climbs over four mountain passes, reaching altitudes of 1,450m, 1,521m, 1,527m, and a dizzying 1,727m. Usually open from June to the end of October, it's best to check conditions beforehand, as heavy rains can cause closures.
moderateWhere is Feldberg Pass?
🇩🇪 Germany
Feldbergpass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,235m (4,051ft) above sea level, located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, in Germany. Where is Feldberg Pass? Set high in the southwestern part of the country, within the Black Forest, the road through the summit is fully paved. It’s called Federal Highway B 317. The road has very good quality but has steep parts, reaching a 10.0% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Constructed in the 1920s, the road was paved in 1932/34. How long is Feldberg Pass? The pass is 16.2 km (10.06 miles) long, running west-east from Todtnau to Bundesstraße 500. To the north of the pass, a paved road climbs up to A Steep Paved Road to Berghaus Schwaben A very steep (19%) mountain road to Riedberg Pass in Germany Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateWhat’s Route des Cols des Pyrenees?
🇫🇷 France
Get ready for an epic adventure across the French Pyrenees! Route des Cols des Pyrénées is a wild ride from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, stringing together 34 incredible mountain passes. Created back in the 19th century as a "thermal route" for spa-goers, this 942 km (585 miles) paved road now takes you through all six French Pyrenees departments, showcasing the raw beauty of the region. You'll climb a total of 15,937 meters, discovering breathtaking panoramic landscapes. But hold on tight! This journey isn't for the faint of heart. Expect ice, snow, the occasional Atlantic storm, and even the risk of flash floods and rock slides. Plus, you'll be sharing the road with speedy drivers and free-roaming cattle, horses, and deer. But trust me, it's all worth it. The scenery is mind-blowing, changing dramatically from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic side. You'll also experience a shift in language, food, and culture as you travel through Occitan and Basque regions. Be sure to keep an eye out for iconic passes like Col de Burdincurutcheta and Col de Portet-d'Aspet along the way. Keep in mind that some of the higher passes, like Tourmalet and Aubisque, are often snowed in from late October to mid-June. And even in summer, bad weather can make many of the cols treacherous. From April to mid-June, check the forecast each morning due to the risk of flash floods and sudden temperature drops. Here's a pro tip: If the weather's terrible on the French side, just hop across the border into Spain! It's usually only a short drive (20-30 km) to find clear skies and sunshine. Just be aware that many high mountain border crossings like Col du Pierre St Martin, Port Larrau, and Col du Pourtalet are along the way, as well as the insane road up to Cirque de Troumouse.