Jason Barlow

Motoring journalist and broadcaster, and Ruby Executive Club Member
@jasonbarlowuk

Driving • January 2014

Five unlikely epic drives

Jason Barlow began his television career in 1998, presenting Channel 4’s Driven with James May, before taking over the wheels of BBC’s Top Gear (pre Jeremy Clarkson). He’s currently contributing editor for GQ and editor-at-large of Top Gear magazine. We couldn’t think of anyone better to take us for a spin through his pick of the world’s best drives.

Do you know a better epic drive? Send us your photos and you could see them in a future issue.

Hakone, Japan

About 65 miles south of Tokyo, it’s a great place to get your head together after ‘megalopolis’ overload. But the road up to the national park is also legendary among Japan’s notoriously nutty car enthusiasts for its endless hairpins. This is where the ‘drifting’ fraternity used to come, sliding their highly tuned saloons from one corner to the next – until the authorities lined the road with hard plastic markers to deter their fun.
Car of choice: Nissan GTR

Photo: Alamy

Lochcarron to Gairloch, via Torridon, Scotland

The Scottish West Highlands region is a gift to the keen driver that just never ceases giving. The road to Gairloch is fast and smooth, with open sightlines and scenery all around to make the spirits soar. Head northeast from Gairloch to Poolewe, and it gets more mountainous and elemental. Stay in the Pool House hotel and a different sort of spirit awaits.
Car of choice: Range Rover Sport

Photo: Alamy

Galway to Clifden, Ireland

There are more technical driver’s roads, but there’s something about this stretch, which runs past the Maumturk Mountains (Na Sléibhte Mhám Toirc in Gaelic) that gets the blood pumping. The windswept, earthy beauty of Connemara has inspired many great film directors and artists over the years, and the thought of a peaty log fire and a pint of stout at the end of the day might seem clichéd, but as clichés go, it’s hard to beat.
Car of choice: Porsche 911

Photo: Alamy

Raticosa, Italy

Part of a section of road connecting Florence and Bologna, with art, culture and great food at either end, ‘il Passo della Raticosa’ is a mountain pass through the Apennines. It’s 968m above sea level and, when you’re not concentrating on the epic twists and turns, the view you get is like moving through a painting. It’s also a famous part of the classic Mille Miglia road race – Stirling Moss’s victory here in 1955, driving a Mercedes 300 SLR, is still arguably the single greatest competitive drive in motorsport history.
Car of choice: Ferrari F355

Photo: Alamy

Bergen to Geilo, Norway

The road to Geilo means crossing one of the fjords on a ferry, going up a mountain via an incredible spiralling tunnel and then traversing a snowy pass. I did it once in a car with no roof, no traction control, no anti-lock brakes and no snow chains. It remains one of the most idiotic things I’ve ever tried. I’d recommend an SUV instead, especially as Geilo is a ski resort.
Car of choice: BMW X5

Photo: Getty Images

Jason Barlow

Five unlikely epic drives

Hakone, Japan

Lochcarron to Gairloch, via Torridon, Scotland

Galway to Clifden, Ireland

Raticosa, Italy

Bergen to Geilo, Norway

Hakone, Japan

Lochcarron to Gairloch, via Torridon, Scotland

Galway to Clifden, Ireland

Raticosa, Italy

Bergen to Geilo, Norway

More from previous issues