The Golden Road

📌 Scenic road between Rodel & Tarbert, Isle of Harris
★★★★

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 of the many bends brings new views of unspoiled hills, coastline and abundant wildlife: seals, eagles and countless sheep. The English names of the scattered settlements sound unusual too – Geocrab, Likisto, Ardslave – these are generally rough phonetic versions of the original Gaelic. Travelling in a northbound direction keeps the sun (if there is any) behind you. A helpful reader has informed us the Golden Road actually ends at Lackalee / Leac a’ Li, and most of the very best scenery is before this point; beyond here you can cut back across to the the main A859 road, but we’d recommend staying on the narrower coast road until Meavag / Miabhaig.

🌍 Location

📌 South end is at A859 junction, Rodel / Roghadal

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NG 049831

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.740663,-6.961362

🚗 Approximate midpoint is around Flodabay / Fleoideabhagh

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NG 098888

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.794689,-6.885421

📌 North end is at A859 junction 3 mi south of Tarbert / An Tairbeart

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NG 145971

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.871500,-6.816988

🚌 The Tarbert to Leverburgh east coast bus follows the road

🚗 Surfaced, mostly single track road, unsuitable for long vehicles

📝 Key info

▶ 33 km / 21 mi

⌚ Always open

🎫 Free