Where is Cape Wrath Lighthouse?
Scotland, europe
18 km
122 m
hard
Year-round
Built by Robert Stevenson in 1828, Cape Wrath Lighthouse is located in the county of Sutherland within the Highland Region, in Scotland.
Where is Cape Wrath Lighthouse?
The lighthouse is situated on the most north-westerly tip of the Scottish mainland. It is the most north-westerly point in the mainland United Kingdom.
When was Cape Wrath Lighthouse built?
The lighthouse, a 20-metre (66 ft) tall white-washed tower built of granite, was constructed by Robert Stevenson in 1828 at 122 meters above mean sea level.
Can you drive to Cape Wrath Lighthouse?
The road to the lighthouse is very challenging. It’s a narrow, bumpy, windy road called Cape Wrath Road.
It runs through one of Scotland's last great wildernesses. The road uses a series of rock causeways to cross peat bogs and revetments to maintain a route along steep slopes. Materials for the road were quarried locally, and there are a number of quarrying sites along it. A 4x4 vehicle is required.
How long is the road to Cape Wrath Lighthouse?
The road to the lighthouse, built in 1828 to support the lighthouse, is 11 miles (18 km) long, starting at Kyle of Durness.
The rough road links the lighthouse with the Kyle of Durness, which is crossed by a passenger ferry service operating between May and September. It’s a challenging road crossing over narrow bridges. The road is marked with milestones and crosses the Allt na Guaille and Kearvaig River on contemporary arched bridges.
How long does it take to drive to Cape Wrath Lighthouse?
Located in one of the remotest places in the Scottish Highlands, driving the road without stopping will take most people between 35 and 50 minutes.
Pic: Mieszko Szymański
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Wee Mad Road in the Scottish Highlands
Travelling the General Wade’s Military Road from Inverness to Fort Augustus
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.
Road Details
- Country
- Scotland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18 km
- Max Elevation
- 122 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
extremeA wild balcony road through Gorges de Galamus in France
🇫🇷 France
# Gorges de Galamus: France's Heart-Pounding Canyon Drive Picture this: you're winding through the stunning Occitanie region in southern France, straddling the border between the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales departments, carved into cliffs by the Agly River. Welcome to Gorges de Galamus, one of France's most legendary balcony roads. The D7 stretches a thrilling 9.7 km (6 miles) between Cubières-sur-Cinoble and Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, and honestly? It's not for the faint of heart. This paved road gets genuinely narrow—we're talking two-car-passing-impossible narrow. Those 1,000-foot drops to the river below are real, and the stone walls offer minimal reassurance. High winds are pretty much guaranteed, making it a road that demands respect and attention. Summer traffic can be intense. July and August bring afternoon traffic lights and potential 15-minute waits, thanks to alternating traffic regulations in place since 2003. Year-round driving is possible, but expect challenges. The road narrows so dramatically in places that you might need to reverse around blind corners, and beginner riders should honestly skip this one. The good news? Approximately every 100 meters there's a passing spot—handy since this road was originally built for horse-drawn carriages that literally couldn't turn around. The scenery is absolutely stunning, especially from the restaurant and parking area near Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet. Just remember: you can't stop safely for the driver to enjoy the views while driving. Nearby, you can tackle two impressive castle ruins—Château de Peyrepertuse and Château de Queribus—plus the scenic "Grau du Maury" with its panoramic mountain vistas. All within 40 km of breathtaking driving. Just bring water on hot days, and watch out for storm winds.
hardWhere Does the Sumba Old Road Lead?
🌍 Faroe Islands
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Ever dreamed of conquering a real mountain road? Then picture this: the old road in Sumba, Suðuroy, Faroe Islands! This isn't just any drive; it's a 9.5 km (5.9 miles) rollercoaster that'll test your skills and reward you with views you won't believe. We're talking about climbing to the top of a massive 470-meter (1,542-foot) sea cliff. Trust me, the vistas from up there are absolutely jaw-dropping. Now, a word of caution: this road isn't for the faint of heart. It winds and climbs, with some tight spots where you'll definitely need to watch out for oncoming traffic. The elements can be fierce here, with avalanches and snowfall possible, making navigation tricky. Here's the insider tip: most folks now zoom through the modern 3,240-meter (10,630-foot) Sumbatunnilin tunnel. But if you're seeking a true driving adventure, take the old road! You won't regret it.
hardWhere is Cairnwell Pass?
🇬🇧 Scotland
Okay, picture this: You're in Scotland, right? Smack dab in the central Highlands, cruising between Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. You're on the A93, heading for the Cairnwell Pass. This isn't just any road; it's the UK's highest main road, topping out at 684 meters (2,244 feet)! The pass stretches for about 24 kilometers (almost 15 miles) from Glen Shee up to Braemar. The traffic is light, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. This route isn't for the faint of heart though – it's seriously steep! We're talking double-digit gradients, with some ramps hitting a wild 17%! Historically, this route was used to move cattle and sheep, following a military road built way back in the 1750s. Nowadays, it's paved but be warned: even though it's usually open year-round, winter can bring heavy snow, especially overnight on the long southern approach. A mile before the summit, you can even check out the original, bypassed Devil's Elbow with its hair-raising double hairpin bend. These days, the summit area is home to the Glenshee Ski Centre, Scotland's biggest and oldest ski resort!
hardWhat’s at the summit of Monte Telegrafo-Plose?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in Italy, ready for an adventure. You set your sights on Monte Telegrafo-Plose, a sweet peak in the Dolomites with views that'll knock your socks off — think a full 360-degree panorama of the Ötztal Alps, Zillertal and Stubai Alps, and even the Ortles, Brenta, and Adamello groups. The road to the top? It's called Via Panoramica Dolomiti/Dolomiten Panoramaweg. Mostly gravel, super narrow, and seriously steep in sections! We're talking gradients up to 16%, so buckle up. It starts from Strada Provinciale 29 (SP-29) and climbs for around 11.6 kilometers, with a whopping 1,112 meters of elevation gain. Word to the wise: this isn't a winter drive. The Plose range of the Dolomites is usually snowed in. At the summit, you'll find some old Cold War-era communication facilities, a church, and the Plosehütte (Rifugio Plose) mountain hut. But honestly, the real treasure is that view. Trust me, it's worth the bumpy ride!