Roads you should try: Bealach na ba
Discussion
Its about the time of year when its good to set out some planned road trips for the year:
If its alpine style fun in the UK why not take a run up the highest road in the land.
Did it this Sunday - top fun!!
Wee video of the run up the bealach na ba
If its alpine style fun in the UK why not take a run up the highest road in the land.
Did it this Sunday - top fun!!
Wee video of the run up the bealach na ba
Clivew said:
It's not the highest road in the land, but has the steepest rise for the shortest distance.
As far as I know, the A93 at Glenshee is the highest.
As far as I know, the A93 at Glenshee is the highest.
The 3 highest publicly accessible roads by motor vehicles
The Cairnwell - 2198ft
The Lecht - 2083ft
Bealach na Ba - 2053ft
The bridleway along High Street in the Lake District is higher - 2674ft
but the only wheeled vehicle you could legally use there is a bicycle.
The highest paved road of all in the UK leads to the MOD facility at Great Dun Fell - 2780ft
You can drive up it part of the way but a gate will prevent further progress.
Beyond it is a private road for MOD authorised traffic only. If permitted you would end up here.
6C4GTS said:
Its about the time of year when its good to set out some planned road trips for the year:
If its alpine style fun in the UK why not take a run up the highest road in the land.
Did it this Sunday - top fun!!
Wee video of the run up the bealach na ba
Great VID, beautiful countryside, many thanks for sharing.If its alpine style fun in the UK why not take a run up the highest road in the land.
Did it this Sunday - top fun!!
Wee video of the run up the bealach na ba
JM said:
The Corrieyairack Pass is an unpaved road that it would be legal to drive on, though it is not maintained by the council and is pretty erroded/damaged on the higher sections and driving it could be a 'thorny issue'.
It is 2526ft high.
The 3 highest passesIt is 2526ft high.
High Street - Lake District, bridleway - 2674ft
The Corpse Road - Pennines, bridleway - 2575ft
Correyairack Pass - Scotland, not classified - 2526ft
As for driving it
A discussion of the legalities here. Once again it should be noted that the law in Scotland differs from that in E&W.
JM said:
There are better roads that are two lane and longer.
(Funnily enough), I'd agree with this. I can think of several. The Five Sisters is still the best road for a proper fast car in the UK, in my opinion. But it's really busy much of the time as it's the main road to Skye, so you have to time it properly.There are also higher roads (just).
What the Bealach offers that none other does:
You drive from about 6 feet above sea level to the top in so few miles. Most other high roads start above sea level or take ages to get there.
If you do the 42 mile circuit that starts with the Bealach, and do it at the right time, you see ZERO traffic - one of the few places in the UK you can do this. (I live on it so know this - if you see someone it's likely to be me!)
From the top you get this view:
(if it ain't cloudy!)
HTH
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 28th February 16:54
GetCarter said:
(Funnily enough), I'd agree with this. I can think of several. The Five Sisters is still the best road for a proper fast car in the UK, in my opinion. But it's really busy much of the time as it's the main road to Skye, so you have to time it properly.
Invergarry to Shiel Bridge - 15 of us in convoy and only one other car seen going our way.The road to the ferry at Glenelg makes a nice counterpoint. Great views here and here..
GetCarter said:
There are also higher roads (just).
What the Bealach offers that none other does:
You drive from about 6 feet above sea level to the top in so few miles. Most other high roads start above sea level or take ages to get there.
If you do the 42 mile circuit that starts with the Bealach, and do it at the right time, you see ZERO traffic - one of the few places in the UK you can do this. (I live on it so know this - if you see someone it's likely to be me!)
This is officially a traffic jam (my mate's car - he stopped to take some pics and do some irrigation). What the Bealach offers that none other does:
You drive from about 6 feet above sea level to the top in so few miles. Most other high roads start above sea level or take ages to get there.
If you do the 42 mile circuit that starts with the Bealach, and do it at the right time, you see ZERO traffic - one of the few places in the UK you can do this. (I live on it so know this - if you see someone it's likely to be me!)
GetCarter said:
From the top you get this view:
(if it ain't cloudy!)
HTH
Awesome! Never had it as clear as that. Winter does have its advantages.(if it ain't cloudy!)
HTH
I did that road back at the start of Feb, when it had a layer of snow on some of it. Was generally ok on the way up, then after failing miserably to locate any ptarmigan to photo over several hours, finally being beaten by the blizzards and visibility down to about 2 yards, the descent was a tad nerve-racking.
Had to engage HDC and put my trust in technology. Worked a treat.
Fantastic views from the road and the summit (by the buildings) though the wind, ice bullets and snow were less appealing!
Had to engage HDC and put my trust in technology. Worked a treat.
Fantastic views from the road and the summit (by the buildings) though the wind, ice bullets and snow were less appealing!
Crippo said:
The descent to Applecross was seriously fast.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXSzlkB66YcDescending in the opposite direction in low cloud/fog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEpqEDSCUBI
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