Scotland · United Kingdom
The Snow Road
A939Tomintoul to Aberdeenshire
The A939 rides the roof of the Cairngorms over the Lecht, Britain’s snow-gate country.
The A939 between Tomintoul and Cockbridge crosses some of the highest, most exposed tarmac in the country, climbing over the Lecht ski centre amid rolling heather moorland. In summer it is a gloriously open run with long sightlines; in winter the snow gates that flank it tell their own story. Watch for steep descents and sudden gradient changes, and check conditions before you set off.
One of the highest public roads in Britain, threading the Cairngorms. Wild, remote and wonderful.
Why we picked it
Scenery
Best seasons
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Where it runs7.5 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 5Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%331.9 – 644.9 mPoints of interest3 stops
- The LechtHighest point on the route; ski centre.7.5 mi in
- Military Road Construction MemorialLandmark4.6 mi in
- Tom Garbh-bheinneViewpoint5.0 mi in
Hazards
- High moorland, snow gates close in winter
- Steep descents at the Lecht
- Exposed to wind and fog
See the typical season and live conditions for the high passes ›
Sources
“The road is completely paved and features a fantastic layout with beautiful curves, interspersed with rollercoaster-like ups and downs.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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