Britain’s ‘scariest road’ revealed with steep climb & terrifying hairpin bends – would you brave it?
NOTORIOUS for its hairpin bends and narrow stretches – few dare to drive through this perilous road.
The Bealach-na-ba pass is one of the most challenging – and terrifying – roads in the UK.
The infamous road stretches east to west from Tornapress to Applecross in the Scottish Highlands.
In a top 10 list of the most dangerous roads in the world – compiled by car insurance company StressFreeCarRental.com – the Bealach na Bà ranked 9th.
The narrow and mountainous pass – known as a “Devil’s Elbow” – boasts the steepest ascent of any road in the UK at 2,054 feet.
The remarkable climb was first built in 1822 – back then gravel surfacing meant snowfall couldn’t be shifted for weeks at a time making the road either lethal or closed.
The sheer size of the climb makes things even more terrifying – it is the biggest climb in the UK, rising from sea level to 626 metres.
However, those who have conquered the stomach churning road took to TripAdvisor to describe their adventure.
One motorist said: “It was well worth. Steep at times, some big drops (although always behind barriers), but plenty of passing places.
There are also two or three designated spots to park and take in the views, which, even in awful weather, were stunning.”
Another weighed in: “best road in the UK. easy for cars, passable for camper vans if u can drive.”
However, others warned of the treacherous risks.
“Thankfully my husband drove. It is stunning BUT do not underestimate how difficult this is in a motor home”, one driver warned.
“We were fortunate that we did not meet anyone coming down on the hairpins.
The passing places are not generous. I would encourage folk to be more savvy than we were and understand how tricky this is.”
That warning is justified.
In 2019, reports emerged of a motorist surviving a 50ft plunge off a stretch of the pass and in 2018 a motorcyclist was killed near Applecross.
A 60-year-old was confirmed to have passed away with no other road users involved – they were pronounced dead at the scene.