6 DRIVES TO TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY

Explore these spectacular routes, from rugged mountains to scenic fjords

SCOTLAND

Fort William to Inverness

Embark on a real Highland adventure on this remote route taking in some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes. If you’re in no rush, Fort William is the perfect base to explore before starting out on the drive to Inverness, which winds through Glen Nevis, one of the most beautiful glens in the region. From Invergarry at the foot of Glengarry, take the A82 to the southern end of Loch Ness and the charming village of Fort Augustus. The route ends in Inverness – the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands. Just as inviting is the drive in the opposite direction from Invergarry to Skye. It’s a wonderful blend of sweeping bends and stunning scenery with five lochs en route. Distance and drive time: 73 miles; One hour 47 minutes

CALIFORNIA Big Sur

There are few better ways to explore California than with a classic road trip, and the journey along Big Sur, a rugged stretch of coastline, is one of the best routes. There are no landmarks, specific boundaries or towns marking your arrival or departure – rather it’s a strip of land running between the Santa Lucia mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, and the route takes you through the natural, wild landscapes of this vast country. Drive along Highway One, stopping at Bixby Bridge (above) for one of the finest views along the coastline, or take time out to visit Hearst Castle, the former home of American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, the inspiration behind Citizen Kane. Distance and drive time:

102 miles; two to three hours

ITALY Amalfi Coast

This country has its fair share of dramatic drives, and the road between Sorrento and Salerno is one of the most famous. Located along the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy’s Amalfi Coast is for confident drivers, but in return for navigating 30 miles of narrow curves, hairpin bends and rugged slopes you get a constantly changing landscape. The cliff-edge route starts in Sorrento and passes by the Grotta dello Smeraldo and on to Positano, one of the most picturesque of the 13 small towns along the Amalfi Coast. The iconic Church of Santa Maria Assunta is worth a detour. Leave here for the medieval town of Amalfi and wind the three miles up through a tunnel and into Ravello, then Salerno, a busy port town. Distance and drive time: 35 miles; one hour

ICELAND Ring Road

Iceland has much to offer in terms of scenic drives and the Ring Road, an 800-mile route encircling most of the country, takes in ice-bubbling geothermal springs, tumultuous waterfalls, black sands, icebergs, glaciers, rugged mountains and beautiful fjords. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Tour the coastline heading clockwise from Keflavik airport. Iceland is best enjoyed in summer when the days are lighter for longer. Winters are to be avoided as volcanic rock, snow, water and ice conspire to produce some challenging conditions for any vehicle. Distance and drive time: 832 miles; allow 10 days

IRELAND

The Wild Atlantic Way

Stretching 1,600 miles from the northern Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to the southern town of Kinsale in County Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way is the world’s longest defined coastal route. The twisting drive sneaks through narrow roads and is both desolate yet full of breathtaking sights, including the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Connemara. The entire route would take around five days but if time’s limited, start in Donegal. From Bunbeg travel south past the rugged headlands, meandering down to Slieve League, soaring 600m above the Atlantic Ocean. Then head east along the coast back to Donegal Town, looking out for dolphins and porpoises along the way. Distance and drive time: 47 miles; one hour 32 minutes

AUSTRALIA Great Ocean Road

A little over an hour south-west of Melbourne lies the thrilling 150-mile Great Ocean Road. The breathtaking route sweeps past imposing rock formations, through forests and the hinterlands of Torquay and Allansford. It’s the world’s longest war memorial, carved from solid rock by First World War servicemen and completed in 1932. Today it’s dedicated to the memory of their fallen comrades. The route starts 46 miles from Melbourne, and while it may be driven in less than half a day, if time permits plan to spend a week exploring the wild coastline. Not to be missed is the Twelve Apostles rock formation (above) near Port Campbell, created by erosion of the limestone cliffs over a period of 20 million years. Distance and drive time: 150 miles; three hours