
Take the Scenic A939 Road and Discover Lecht Pass in Scotland
Scotland, europe
16.25 km
646 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Scottish Highlands, right on the border of Aberdeenshire and Moray. You're on the Lecht Pass, one of the highest roads in the country, topping out at 646 meters (2,119 feet). This isn't just any road trip; you're rolling on a ribbon of asphalt, a completely paved road called the A939 (or Lecht Road, or Old Military Road if you're feeling historical).
Speaking of history, this road has a story. It was built after the Jacobite uprising in 1745, a military road masterminded by William Caulfield. Today, it's a 16.25-kilometer (10.1-mile) stretch from Corgarff to Tomintoul, packed with steep climbs, hairpin turns, and a max gradient of 13% that'll get your engine revving.
Now, a word of warning: this area is known for being seriously snowy. Set in the Grampian Mountains, this road is often the first in Great Britain to close due to snowfall. So, while it's usually open year-round, winter can throw a curveball. But hey, that's part of the adventure! And the views? Absolutely stunning!
Where is it?
Take the Scenic A939 Road and Discover Lecht Pass in Scotland is located in Scotland (europe). Coordinates: 54.1527, -3.1368
Road Details
- Country
- Scotland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16.25 km
- Max Elevation
- 646 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 54.1527, -3.1368
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