Driving the scenic yet bumpy road to Cape Wrath Lighthouse

Driving the scenic yet bumpy road to Cape Wrath Lighthouse

Scotland, europe

Length

18 km

Elevation

122 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: Scotland, rugged coastline, and a lighthouse perched on the UK's most north-westerly point. Getting there? Not your average Sunday drive!

The road to Cape Wrath Lighthouse is a wild 11-mile (18 km) adventure starting from Kyle of Durness. Forget smooth tarmac; we're talking narrow, bumpy, and windy Cape Wrath Road slicing through a proper wilderness. Think rock causeways bridging peat bogs, and revetments clinging to steep slopes. You'll even see the old quarries where they got the stone to build it all.

This isn't a job for your city car – a 4x4 is a must. You'll cross the Allt na Guaille and Kearvaig River on cool old arched bridges and keep an eye out for the milestones marking your progress. Give yourself around 35-50 minutes to soak it all in, not including stops for photos, and be sure to grab the passenger ferry at Kyle of Durness between May and September. The lighthouse itself? A striking 20-metre (66 ft) white tower, standing tall since 1828, 122 meters above sea level, marking the end of the line. Prepare for some serious Highland scenery!

Where is it?

Driving the scenic yet bumpy road to Cape Wrath Lighthouse is located in Scotland (europe). Coordinates: 53.6041, -1.5370

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Road Details

Country
Scotland
Continent
europe
Length
18 km
Max Elevation
122 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
53.6041, -1.5370

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