Carried by the A93 between Perthshire and Aberdeenshire, the Cairnwell Pass road climbs to 670 m near the Glenshee ski resort, making it Britain’s highest main road.
A steady climb on a major road
From Spittal of Glenshee, it’s 8.4 km for 352 m of elevation gain, averaging 4.2%, with a sharper ramp in the final three kilometres. The wide, well-maintained road stays rideable year-round.
The memory of the Devil’s Elbow
About 1.6 km south of today’s summit once stood the Devil’s Elbow, a double hairpin bend notorious for its danger, bypassed since the 1960s by a wider, safer alignment.
Getting the ride right
As a major road used by traffic year-round, it’s best ridden during quiet hours or the off-peak tourist season to enjoy the climb safely.
When to go
April to October: the road stays open year-round and is regularly gritted, but winter conditions in the Highlands can make riding it unpleasant or even dangerous.
Good to know
Spittal of Glenshee, the starting hamlet, sits at the heart of the southern Highlands, while nearby Braemar makes a convenient base for exploring the neighbouring Cairngorms.
