Cairnwell Pass
A93Braemar to Spittal of Glenshee · Scotland
Distance15.1mi · 24 km
Drive time32 minon the road
DifficultyDemanding
MountainMoorland
The highest main road in Britain, over the Cairnwell between Glenshee and Braemar.
The A93 crosses the Cairnwell, the highest point on any A-road in Britain, between the Glenshee ski slopes and royal Braemar. It is fast and open in summer and snow-gated in winter; mind the gradients and the changeable mountain weather.
Where it runs
BraemarStart · Scotland
Spittal of GlensheeEnd · United Kingdom
Character
Corners22bends
Tightness6of 10
Max gradient12%≈ 1-in-8
Hairpins0tight bends
Climb352 mtotal ascent
Summit673 mhighest point · 2208 ft
SpringSummerAutumn
Elevation
346 m rangeKnow before you go
- Highest A-road, snow gates close in winter
- Steep gradients
- Ski-season traffic
Along the road
- viewpoint Devil's Elbow Viewpoint
Sources
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Cairnwell Pass.
