Take the Scenic A939 Road and Discover Lecht Pass in Scotland

Take the Scenic A939 Road and Discover Lecht Pass in Scotland

Scotland, europe

Length

16.25 km

Elevation

646 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

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

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Scotland
Continent
europe
Length
16.25 km
Max Elevation
646 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
54.1527, -3.1368

Related Roads in europe

Where is Cimetta Rossa located?hard

Where is Cimetta Rossa located?

🇮🇹 Italy

Okay, picture this: Cimetta Rossa, a seriously stunning peak way up in northwestern Italy, clocking in at a cool [elevation] above sea level. Forget your average Sunday drive, this is a proper adventure! Where are we? Think south of [Location], smack-dab in the northwestern Alps. The views from the top? Insane. You're talking panoramic vistas of iconic Alpine giants like Mount Cervino (the Matterhorn!), plus all the local heroes of the Champorcher valley like Rosa dei Banchi and Mount Glacier. Basically, Instagram gold. Now, about the road... it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking unpaved, rocky gravel all the way. Starting from [Town], it's a [Length] climb up to [End Point]. Don't let the distance fool you, you're gaining a hefty [Elevation Gain] in altitude, so expect a pretty consistent [Gradient]% incline. Yep, you read that right – loose stones and rocky patches are the name of the game. This is a service road for the local ski area, so think chairlift access trail. Trust me, you'll want a proper [Vehicle Recommendation] to tackle this one. Heads up, this road is a no-go in winter! It's high altitude, part of the ski area, and completely snowed under. Your window of opportunity is tiny – usually around the end of August. Otherwise, it's ski season!

How To Travel The Road F249 (Þórsmerkurvegur)moderate

How To Travel The Road F249 (Þórsmerkurvegur)

🇮🇸 Iceland

The infamous Þórsmerkurvegur (F249 Road) is a very exciting and challenging drive located in the Southern Region of Iceland. There are a lot of river crossings on the road. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country. The road is 31.9 km (19.82 miles) long, running from the Ring Road to Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. The road is better to be avoided if you don’t have a proper car, enough experience, and perfect knowledge of river crossing rules. The road starts off as paved (249) and then switches to gravel (F249). It is a rough and challenging road. It's essential to have a reliable 4-wheel-drive vehicle with significant ground clearance to navigate the challenging terrains and river crossings of F249. There are some streams, creeks, and rivers you need to cross to get to Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. For those looking to explore Iceland with a rental car, ensure you choose a vehicle suitable for F-roads to guarantee a safe journey. The final river crossing (Krossá river) is probably the biggest river crossing you may encounter on marked F-roads in Iceland. Crossing the river requires a large and a specially modified 4×4 vehicle and plenty of experience. This river can be very deep, and it also has loose gravel underneath, providing a very unstable path for vehicles. The river can be different from day to day, so there is no one way to cross it. It needs great experience with Icelandic mountain roads and a vehicle that is fit for these conditions to drive over this river. Even with a super-jeep, it’s not guaranteed you’re gonna pass. The road is only open during the summer months, usually between late June and early September. Avoid committing your vehicle to what is in front of you until you are sure of what you are getting into because things could get worse. Crossing big rivers requires a bit of experience. You will have to cross 15-20 rivers. Only well-equipped jeeps and larger vehicles are able to cross the rivers. These rivers can be dangerous. Always check the river to ensure that it's not too deep. Car rental vehicles are forbidden to go on the road. Tucked away in the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve, the moon-like road is very scenic with towering glaciers and volcanoes all around. It’s a popular tourist destination in the southern Icelandic highlands. There is absolutely so much to see on your way there that you can spend a whole day on this road. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Travel guide to the top of Chaschauna Passextreme

Travel guide to the top of Chaschauna Pass

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Pass Chaschauna-Passo di Cassana Want to tackle one of the Alps' most thrilling alpine crossings? Pass Chaschauna-Passo di Cassana sits at a jaw-dropping 2,698m (8,851ft) and straddles the Italy-Switzerland border, connecting Lombardy's Province of Sondrio with Switzerland's Maloja Region in Graubünden. Fair warning: this isn't your typical mountain pass. The entire route is unpaved, and you'll need a serious 4x4 vehicle to even attempt it—though heads up, private cars aren't allowed. Bikes only, folks. The climb is absolutely relentless, with gradients hitting a brutal 30% and hairpin bends that'll have your heart racing. On the descent's initial stretch, watch your step (or pedal)—the terrain is so steep that dislodging rocks could send them tumbling onto the path below. Nestled between the Stelvio National Park and the Swiss National Park, this route is true high-alpine territory. Come winter, though, you're out of luck—it's completely impassable from September through June. Even well into summer, snowfields can linger on the higher sections. A fascinating historical touch: near the summit on the Italian side sits Rifugio Cassana, a former WWI barracks. The road itself is an old military route, engineered in 1912 to supply those very same wartime installations. Pretty cool to pedal through a century of alpine history!

The remote road to Gamsutl, a Soviet ghost townhard

The remote road to Gamsutl, a Soviet ghost town

🌍 Russia

Okay, so you're headed to Dagestan's "Machu Picchu," the ghost village of Gamsutl? This place is seriously remote, tucked away in the Gunibsky district. Forget smooth sailing – the road to get close is a wild ride! Technically, you can drive *part* of the way. There's a gravel track that winds up Mount Gamsutlmeer, ending about 500m shy of the village itself, at an altitude of 1,449m. Don't even think about attempting it without a 4x4. We're talking steep sections and hairpin turns galore! The climb itself is short but intense. Starting near Gostevoy Dom 55, it's just 1.7km to the top, but you'll gain 166 meters in elevation. Expect some seriously steep ramps, with gradients hitting up to 17%! Gamsutl itself is a total time capsule. Legend says it's over 2000 years old, but it was abandoned fairly recently, in 2015, when the last resident passed. You'll see around 70 houses still standing (out of the original 300!), clinging to the mountainside. The whole scene is pretty breathtaking (if a little eerie!) – definitely one for the bucket list.