Satellite map of Destitution Road

Highland · United Kingdom

Destitution Road

A832Dundonnell to Braemore Junction

Distance13.3 mi21 km
Drive time25 minon the road
DifficultyModeratetightness 4 of 10
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Famine-built A832 over the moors past An Teallach, from Dundonnell to Braemore Junction.

The A832 between Dundonnell and Braemore Junction is one of several Scottish roads nicknamed the Destitution Road, built in the 1846 to 1847 potato famine to give crofters paid work for oatmeal rations. From Dundonnell it climbs through a wooded gorge of waterfalls, then breaks out onto open moorland near 330 m with the An Teallach ridge filling the western sky. It is a wide-ish but exposed single carriageway with long sightlines and a real sense of emptiness. Mind the convoy roadworks reported near Dundonnell, sudden hill fog on the summit moor, and long stretches with no fuel or phone signal.

Scenery

MountainMoorlandGorge

Best seasons

SpringSummerAutumn

In these collections

In these Grand Tours

Where it runs13.3 mi · point to point

DundonnellStart · Highland
Braemore JunctionEnd · Highland

Character

Corners28bends
Tightness4of 10
Max gradient12%≈ 1-in-8
Climb339 mtotal ascent
Summit339.3 mhighest point of the line · 1,113 ft

Corners

busiest around mile 5
3710 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%16.8 – 339.3 m
summit · 339.3 m 100200300 m 0713 mi

Points of interest2 stops

  • Loch Broom ViewViewpoint
    12 mi in
  • Corrieshalloch Gorge ViewpointViewpoint
    13 mi in

Hazards

  • Exposed summit fog and snow
  • No fuel or phone signal
  • Convoy roadworks near Dundonnell

Sources

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Destitution Road: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Destitution Road?
Destitution Road runs 13.3 miles (21 km) and takes about 25 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Destitution Road to drive?
We rate it moderate: 28 corners, a maximum gradient of 12%, and a tightness of 4 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Destitution Road?
Spring and Summer and Autumn are best.

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