Corrievairack Pass Track
Wade's road. The Jacobites walked it. You'll earn it.
General Wade built the Corrievairack Pass military road in 1731 to connect Speyside with the Great Glen, and Bonnie Prince Charlie used it to march his Jacobite army south in 1745. At its summit the track tops out at 2,507 feet — making it the highest public road in Scotland — before dropping through a series of brutal zig-zag switchbacks down into the Tarff Valley above Fort Augustus. The surface is a mix of original stone causey work, loose shale, bog, and rutted track. The Spey River crossing at Garva Bridge early in the route is your first honest test; the switchbacks on the south descent are where underpowered or poorly driven rigs find their limit.
This is a genuine technical overland track, not a road. High-clearance 4×4 with low-range and a snatch block in the back is the minimum sensible setup; a lift and proper all-terrain rubber make the day far less stressful. The track is open to motorised vehicles under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act but conditions vary wildly — snow closes it well into May and August rain can turn the bog sections treacherous. No fuel between Laggan and Fort Augustus, roughly 25 miles of proper wilderness. Carry recovery gear, water, and a paper map — there is no cell signal on the pass. One of the most historically loaded and physically demanding crossings on this island.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 24 mi / 38.6 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2507 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with low-range and recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Laggan, Highland |
| Land manager | Scottish Land Reform Act / Private Estates / Forestry and Land Scotland |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a standard Defender or Hilux handle Corrievairack, or do I need a heavily built rig?
A stock Defender, Hilux, or equivalent short-wheelbase high-clearance 4WD with low-range will get you through on a dry summer day. Longer wheelbase vehicles will struggle on the tighter switchbacks near the summit — articulation and approach angles matter more than lockers here. Recovery gear is non-negotiable regardless of what you're driving.
When is the pass actually driveable, and what happens if I go too early in the year?
June through September is the realistic window. Snow can sit on the upper sections well into May, and autumn rain from October onward turns the approach tracks into deep mud that will swallow underprepared vehicles. Don't gamble on a warm spring forecast — the Monadhliaths hold winter longer than the forecast suggests.
Do I need a permit to drive Corrievairack Pass?
Scotland's Land Reform Act (2003) grants broad access rights, but Corrievairack crosses private estate land and Forestry and Land Scotland ground — motorised access is not automatically covered under those rights. Check current estate permissions before you go; access for vehicles can be restricted and has been contested. There are no fees, but you are not entitled to drive it without landowner consent for the motorised sections.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The series of sharp, eroded switchbacks climbing toward the 2,507ft summit from the Laggan side are where rigs get into trouble — loose rock, off-camber ledges, and tight turns that punish wheelbase. The multiple water crossings on the Fort Augustus descent can run knee-deep after rainfall with no warning. Neither section is extreme in dry conditions, but combined with the remoteness, a mechanical failure or stuck vehicle becomes a serious situation fast.
Is there any cell service on the pass, and how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
There is zero cell service on Corrievairack — plan as if you're completely off-grid for the full 24 miles. The nearest fuel is in Laggan or Dalwhinnie to the south, or Invermoriston/Fort Augustus to the north; fill up before you start. If something goes wrong on the summit plateau, self-rescue or a pre-arranged check-in system is your only real option.
Trail track
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