Spectacular 516-mile road trip named UK's most scenic but there's a catch

A captivating coastal driving route tracing the shores of Scotland has been crowned the UK’s most stunning scenic road trip by a travel expert, but its growing popularity brings with it considerable challenges.

Insights manager at Away Resorts, Dan Doherty, named the North Coast 500 (NC500) as the UK’s most beautiful scenic summer drive. With reports revealing that 71 per cent of Gen Z plan to visit viral travel hotspots, Dan has compiled a list of five unforgettable drives showcasing the very best of Britain’s natural beauty, topped by the NC500.

Spanning 516 miles through the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands filled with rolling moorlands, tranquil lochs, white-sand beaches, breathtaking cliffs and ancient castles, the NC500 is often described as "Scotland’s Route 66". It comes after beachgoers are left stunned after rare sea creature spotted off British coast.

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The route leads travellers on a sweeping circuit through luscious landscapes celebrated for their awe-inspiring vitality and variety. Dan said: "The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile loop around the northern Highlands, starting and ending in Inverness. This spectacular route showcases everything from white-sand beaches and lochs to cliffs and castles.

"Highlights include the dramatic Bealach na Bà pass to Applecross, the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, and the blue waters of Achmelvich Bay. It's best enjoyed over several days, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore nature and remote landscapes."

The dramatic drive also features quiet fishing villages, heather-carpeted hills and historic ruins. A typical road trip can take at least a week, allowing time to walk, explore and watch for wildlife, as well as enjoying local food in picturesque rural settings.

The NC500 road trip route was officially created and launched in 2015 by the Tourism Project Board of the North Highland Initiative as a way to encourage tourism in the region. Before 2015, the roads and destinations existed but were not promoted as a single, unified route.

Since then, the NC500 has drawn travellers from near and far, and is regularly named amongst the world’s top road trips. However, this rise in popularity comes with mounting criticism surrounding overtourism, bringing with it problems including congestion and environmental pressures.

In response to a thread posing the question ‘Do locals really hate tourists hiring a campervan and doing the NC 500?', one Reddit user replied: “Yes but only a certain type of campervan person. The ones that filled up a graveyard car park and refused to move meaning a funeral couldn't get in. Absolutely disgusting.

"The ones that pour their muck water out on the side of the road. Those that scream about 'wild camping rules' while in their campervan at the side of a road not wild camping in the slightest. The ones that go about 30mph and won't pull in for anyone even on single tracks. The ones that don't know how to reverse their monster vehicles when they are required to."

Another wrote: "No. Providing you drive carefully, allow people to pass and park carefully. Don't stop in passing places for a cuppa or to stop and admire the view. Don't load up for the whole trip in Inverness Tesco and then never spend money until you hit mile 500. Don't empty the shit tank at the side of the road. Visit shops, eat in cafes, have a beer in a pub, park in recognised site with water and disposal points. This injects money into the local economy and keeps the small rural communities alive."

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A third added: "Leaving rubbish behind once you decide to move your campervan again really really pisses me off."

While one helpfully advised: "The locals are friendly and welcoming but there are a few things you can do to keep it that way and avoid drawing their ire. Beware of traffic and queues forming behind you, be prepared to pull over and let traffic pass fairly frequently. Be mindful of where you are stopping throughout the day, leave room for people to pass, don't block any gates etc. When stopping for the night try to find the landowner instead of just stopping in a field. Don't litter, especially not human waste."

Travel expert Dan’s top five most scenic UK drives are as follows:

North Coast 500, Scotland

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

The Lake District’s Kirkstone Pass, Cumbria

Atlantic Highway, Cornwall and Devon

Snake Pass, Peak District

Preserving what makes the NC500 exceptional requires a little responsible travel and thoughtful site management, so everyone can enjoy the route’s unrivalled magic for generations to come, including the locals.

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