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Scenic Routes Guides: Honest Picks 2026

A scenic route is a schedule as much as a road. The same coast can be magical at eight in the morning and a traffic queue at noon. The difference is not the view; it is the timing, the stops and the space to enjoy them.

Our Scenic Routes guides cover route planning, light, fuel, parking and the rail alternatives that remove the driving without removing the view. We write for travellers who would rather enjoy three stops than collect ten photographs.

How we choose a route

We look for a road with a reason to stop: a short walk, a village, a viewpoint with safe parking. A route that only works from a moving car is difficult to enjoy and easy to forget.

We also check the practical side: pass openings, fuel gaps, tolls and the total driving time. A beautiful road can still be the wrong choice for a family with a long return journey.

Timing the light

The best landscape light is early or late, so we schedule the main viewpoint for one of those windows and use the middle of the day for walking, lunch or a museum. This is better for photographs and easier on the eyes.

We plan a buffer rather than a tight itinerary. A scenic day needs room for an unplanned stop, a slow lunch and the possibility that the road takes longer than the map suggests.

Driving safely and with less stress

Stop only in safe places: lay-bys, car parks and signed viewpoints. Never stop on a blind bend or a narrow verge for a photograph. If you miss a shot, turn around at the next safe opportunity or let it go.

Share the driving where possible, carry water and a warm layer, and download the map before the signal disappears. The best route is the one that gets you home relaxed.

How to use these guides

Read the planning guide before you book a car, then use the route list to choose a drive or rail journey that fits your season and pace. If a route is famous, we say how to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Conditions change with the weather. Check road and rail status, fuel and opening times before you set out. A guide can suggest the route; the local conditions decide the day.

Latest Scenic Routes guides