Looking for a road trip with a difference? Check out this guide to the highest and lowest public routes in the UK.
New research by Jeep and mapping giants Ordnance Survey has revealed that the Old Military Road in Cairnwell Pass, Scotland, tops the list of the highest roads in Great Britain.
It sits at a lofty 668 metres, or 2,192 ft, above sea level.
To put that figure into perspective, the Cairnwell Pass - located in the Cairngorms National Park between Braemar to the north and Glen Shee to the south - sits at roughly half the height of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK at 4,413 ft.
Britain’s lowest roads all feature in The Fenlands of Cambridgeshire, England, with Holme Fen sitting three metres BELOW sea level.
Meanwhile the highest route in England has been named as Harthope Moss mountain pass in County Durham, with an elevation of 630m, or 2,067 ft.
Data was sourced from the Ordnance Survey MasterMap (OSMM) Highways Network and only includes roads in Great Britain that are publicly accessible by car. Elevation heights were calculated from the apex point of each road in the country.
And some of these routes are well worth a trip if you’re in the area.
The Cairnwell Pass - aka the A93 ‘Old Military Road’ - is part of a network of routes across the Scottish Highlands and dates back to the 18th century. It’s also home to several ‘spectacular’ hydroelectric dams, according to Jeep and Ordnance Survey.
When it comes to MAJOR roads, as opposed to minor stretches of Tarmac, the A689 Killhope Cross between Cowshill, County Durham and Nenthead, Cumbria, wins the day at 626 metres, or 2,054 feet, above sea level.
Nick Giles, Managing Director for Leisure at Ordnance Survey, said: “If you are planning on taking a trip to any of these notable locations around Britain – whether it’s the highest public roads in the country or the lowest – why not park up, pull out your OS map or OS Maps app on your phone, and explore the area. Trips like these create adventures to remember.”
The study is all part of Jeep and Ordnance Survey’s ‘Any Excuse to Get Lost’ campaign, which encourages Brits to steer from the beaten path and experience lesser-known locations.
And, of course, if you’re looking for an outdoorsy, do-it-all lease car to fit in with your active lifestyle, then the Jeep Compass is well worth a look.
You’ve got a choice of mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, the latter of which comes with Jeep’s ‘4xe’ all-wheel drive system that’s designed to tackle the tough stuff - however high up or low down you happen to be!
You can lease the Jeep Compass with Select Car Leasing from £424 per month*.
Top 10 Highest Roads in the UK:
1 Cairnwell Pass, A93 Old Military Road 668m/2,192ft. Ballater, Scotland, between Braemar, Aberdeenshire (NO 15195 91470) and Spittal of Glenshee, Perth and Kinross (NO 11081 70207)
2 Lecht Pass, A939 643m/2,110ft. Strathdon, Scotland, between Tomintoul, Moray (NJ 16949 18633) and Cock Bridge, Aberdeenshire (NJ 25725 09208).
3 Cairngorm Mountain Road 635m/2,084ft. Aviemore, Scotland, between Coylumbridge, Highland (NH 91587 10752) and Cairngorm Mountain, Highland (NH 99008 05965).
=4 Bealach Na Bar 630m/2,067ft. Strathcarron, Scotland, between Tornapress, Highland (NG 83766 42177)to Applecross, Highland (NG 71222 44565).
=4 Harthope Moss (highest in England) 630m/2,067ft. Bishop Auckland, England, between St John’s Chapel, Durham (NY 88452 37696) to the junction with the B6277 west of Langdon Beck, Durham (NY 84886 31679).
6 Killhope Cross, A689 (highest A-Road in England) 626m/2,054ft. Alston, England, between Cowshill, Durham (NY 85605 40592) and Nenthead, Cumbria (NY 78116 43724).
7 Coalcleugh Moor 609m/1,998ft. Hexham, England, between Thornley Gate, Northumberland (NY 83177 56221) and junction with A689 east of Nenthead, Cumbria (NY 78939 43422).
8 Black Hill 607m/1,992ft. Holmfirth, England, between Westgate, Durham (NY 90450 38014) and Newbiggin, Durham (NY 91451 27754).
=9 Tynehead Fell, B6277 599m/1,965ft. Grange-over-Sands, England, between Garrigill, Cumbria (NY 74924 42139) and Langdon Beck, Durham (NY 85342 31216).
=9 Nunnery Hill 599m/1,965ft. Cumbria, England, between A689 Nenthead, Cumbria (NY 78116 43724) and B6277 Garrigill, Cumbria (NY 74924 42139).
Top 10 Lowest Roads in the UK:
=1 Holme Fen -3m/-10ft. Cambridgeshire, England, between junction with Hod Fen Drove (TL 19429 88539) and Old Pumphouse (TL 23555 90389).
=1 New Long Drove -3m/-10ft. Cambridgeshire, England, between junction with B660 Long Drove (TL 21204 88131) and junction with Holme Fen (TL 22180 90161).
=1 Fourth Drove -3m/-10ft. Cambridgeshire, England, from junction with Main Drove (TL 52360 86559) and end of road (TL 52865 87080).
=1 Third Drove -3m/-10ft. Cambridgeshire, England, from junction with Main Drove (TL 52546 86146) and end of road (TL 53786 87413).
=1 Second Drove -3m/-10ft. Cambridgeshire, England, from junction with Downham Common (TL 52649 85637) and end of road (TL 54160 87181).
=1 North Fen -3m/-10ft. Cambridgeshire, England, from junction with California / Brickkiln Lane (TL 53247 84387) to end of road (TL 54241 85754).
=1 Adventurer’s Drove -3m/-10ft. Cambridgeshire, England, between junction with B1411 (TL 50306 84855) and Oxlode (TL 48533 86216).
=2 A1101 Mildenhall Road -2m/-7ft. Cambridgeshire, England, between A10 near Littleport, East Cambridgeshire (TL 57915 87710) and Shippea Hill Station (TL 64204 84104).
=2 B1160 Feltwell Road -2m/-7ft. Cambridgeshire, England, between Southery, Norfolk (TL 62074 94815) and Decoy Road (TL 64770 94247)
=2 B1104 Prickwillow Road -2m/-7ft. Cambridgeshire, England, between Prickwillow, East Cambridgeshire (TL 59249 82267) to Isleham, East Cambridgeshire (TL 64215 74666).
**Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 04/06/24.
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news
- Updated new BMW 3 Series revealed
- Wraps come off the new Porsche 911 hybrid
- VW teases hottest Golf GTI yet
- Audi RS 4 Avant celebrates 25th birthday with special edition
- Jeep unveils new all-wheel drive Avenger 4xe
Where To Next?
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter.
Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of special offers.
Read our latest reviews and find the right model for you.
Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive leasing guides.
Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest car leasing news.
