Bealach na Bà

The pass of the cattle, and the nearest thing Britain has to an Alpine pass. From the head of Loch Kishorn it climbs from the sea to the top in a few miles, the last of them through hairpins stacked up the head of the corrie, then crosses the bare top and runs down to Applecross and the sea again.

It's single track all the way, with passing places, and the signs at the bottom mean what they say: it isn't for learners, caravans or anything large, and it's often closed in snow. On a clear day the top looks across to Skye and the Outer Hebrides. On most others it's in the cloud, which has its own appeal.

• Sweeping bends
• Hills either side
• By the sea