The Golden Road

Harris | Rodel | Scenic road | ★★★★

[The Golden Road at Finsbay]

It sounds like something from a fiction book, and indeed, the views from The Golden Road are out of this world. Apparently named as a reference to its colossal construction cost, these 21 miles of single-track tarmac snake their way up the east side of South Harris through, at times, a lunar-like landscape composed more of rock than grass. Each bend (and there are many) brings new, spectacular views of unspoiled hills, coastline and abundant wildlife: seals, eagles and sheep after sheep. The names of the scattered settlements have a distinctly unearthly feel too: Geocrab, Likisto, Ardslave... generally anglicised, roughly phonetic versions of the original Gaelic. Do it in a northbound direction to keep the sun (if there is any) behind you. The scenery is at its very best for the first half of the route; north of Likisto there are a couple of ways to curtail the route by cutting across to the main A859 road. But on a sunny day such as ours... why would you?

[Geocrab]

📌 The Golden Road ★★★★
Location (Flodabay, near middle): G.R. NG 098888 ///seagulls.disco.facing
Start (south): A859 junction at Rodel, G.R.: NG 049831 ///logic.slugs.fend
Finish (north): A859 junction 3 miles south of Tarbert, G.R.: NG 145971 ///bubbles.playing.mailers

▶ 33 km / 21 miles
Type of road: Surfaced, unclassified road, mostly single track and unsuitable for long vehicles
Open: Always
Cost: Free

[Between Manish and Ardslave]

[Between Rodel and Lingarabay, near the south end of the road]

[Between Lingarabay and Finsbay]

[Ardvey]

[Seals at Ardvey]

[Ardvey seals]

[Ardvey seals]

[Between Manish and Ardslave]

[Between Geocrab and Likisto]

[Between Greosabhagh and Scadabay]

[Between Scadabay and Plocropool]

[Between Scadabay and Plocropool]