
Driving on the military road from Tirabad to Llywel you can hear gunfire
Wales, europe
13.51 km
442 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay adventurers, fancy a drive on the wild side? Head to southern Powys, Wales, near the Brecon Beacons National Park, and seek out the Tirabad-Llywel road. This paved beauty connects the villages of Tirabad and Llywel, snaking across Mynydd Eppynt and Mynydd Bwlch-Yr-Groes.
This isn’t your average scenic route, folks! This is a military road, meaning you might hear some gunfire or spot soldiers camouflaged in the bushes! It's typically open to the public, but keep your eyes peeled for signs indicating army exercises. Military vehicles are common so sharing the road is essential. The smooth pavement is a delightful surprise and probably due to the army's upkeep.
Clocking in at 13.5km (8.4 miles), this north-south stretch boasts blind turns, summits, and passing areas. Prepare for breathtaking views, but also be aware of the exposed conditions – this road climbs to 442m (1,450ft) above sea level! The southern section throws a 1 in 7 hill into the mix for extra thrills. Along the way, you'll spot remnants of the hardy communities that once thrived here, eking out a living through sheep farming in this rugged landscape. It's a drive through history, nature, and maybe even a little bit of military action!
Where is it?
Driving on the military road from Tirabad to Llywel you can hear gunfire is located in Wales (europe). Coordinates: 53.9865, -1.8974
Road Details
- Country
- Wales
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.51 km
- Max Elevation
- 442 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 53.9865, -1.8974
Related Roads in europe
moderateCol de Castillon is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers in the Alpes-Maritimes
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Castillon: A Hidden Alpine Gem If you're hunting for a proper mountain road adventure in southeastern France, Col de Castillon is calling your name. Sitting pretty at 707 meters (2,319 feet) in the Alpes-Maritimes, this pass is part of the legendary Route des Grandes Alpes and offers exactly the kind of scenic driving experience that makes your heart race. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region near the Italian border, the pass is steeped in history. The name comes from the village of Castillon just to the west—sadly destroyed by an earthquake back in 1877. And if you're into WWII history, you'll spot some fascinating military fortresses near the summit that tell their own stories. Here's the real deal: this isn't your grandmother's leisurely Sunday drive. The fully paved D54 route means business, with steep climbs, pinched sections, and some seriously impressive drop-offs that'll keep you focused. The modern highway that bypassed it in favor of staying in the valley (hello, tunnel!) is a testament to just how challenging this route is. The result? Blissfully light traffic until you near Menton. The actual drive stretches 12.6 kilometers (7.82 miles) from Sospel to Col Saint Jean, and it's impressive enough that the Tour de France has tackled it. If you're ready to test your driving skills on genuinely atmospheric Alpine roads, this one's a must-do.
hardWhere is the road to Colle Ciarbonet located?
🇮🇹 Italy
Colle Ciarbonet, nestled high in Italy's Piedmont region (Cuneo province), is a real hidden gem! This old military road climbs to a whopping 2,290 meters (7,513 feet) and offers an off-the-beaten-path adventure through the stunning Unerzio Valley, right near the French border. Forget smooth asphalt—this route is all about rugged gravel and dirt! It's a proper unpaved climb from a village that will put your driving skills to the test. Think tight hairpin turns and a narrow track carved into the mountainside. Starting from the tiny village of Chialvetta, the road climbs. Over that stretch, you'll gain some serious altitude, with an average gradient of around 9.5% and some sections hitting nearly 13%! A 4x4 is definitely your best friend here – the road can be steep and rocky. Keep in mind, this route is typically closed from September to June due to snow. The best time to tackle it is during the summer months when the gravel is dry. But the views? Absolutely worth it! Prepare for breathtaking Alpine scenery, jagged limestone peaks, and those classic lush green Italian valleys. Reaching the summit feels like escaping to another world, a tranquil spot far from the crowds!
hardDriving the wild Puerto del Portillo
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, so you're in Spain, right? Specifically, Castile and León, in the province of Salamanca. You absolutely HAVE to check out Puerto del Portillo. It's a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,250 meters (that's a cool 4,101 feet!). Tucked away inside the Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park, this road, the SA-201, is completely paved. Score! Once you get to the top, there’s even a parking lot and a viewpoint waiting for you. Be warned though, it gets a little spicy – some sections clock in at a steep 11.5% incline! The whole thing is about 18.2 km (or 11.30 miles) of pure driving bliss. And hold onto your hats, because there are 10 hairpin turns to navigate! The route runs from Las Mestas (in Cáceres) up to La Alberca (in Salamanca), heading south to north. Oh, and did I mention it's been featured in the Vuelta a España? So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.
extremeThe legendary Col du Tourmalet is one of the world's top roads
🇫🇷 France
# Col du Tourmalet: France's Most Iconic Mountain Pass Want to experience one of the world's most legendary climbs? The Col du Tourmalet sits pretty at 2,115m (6,939ft) in the Hautes-Pyrénées, tucked in the heart of the French Pyrenees. This isn't just any mountain pass—it's cycling royalty. The fully paved D918 road stretches 34.1km (21.18 miles) from west to east, connecting Luz-Saint-Sauveur to the D935 road near Campan. Fair warning: this beast gets steep, with sections pushing 12% gradient that'll test your limits. But the payoff? Absolutely worth it. Here's the thing that makes Tourmalet special: it's the most-used climb in Tour de France history, with over eighty crossings since 1910. Back then, it was basically a goat track between two valleys, used only by shepherds and their flocks. The first riders to tackle it? They called race organizers "murderers" for the punishment—and honestly, you'll understand their frustration once you start climbing. At the summit, you'll find two cool monuments: a memorial to Jacques Goddet (the race boss for decades) and a statue of Octave Lapize, the first person to conquer this beast. Want a bonus adventure? A gravel road near the gift shop heads up to the spectacular Pic du Midi de Bigorre via Col de Sencours. The views from up here are genuinely stunning—sweeping panoramas of the Pyrenees that make every grueling kilometer worth it. Whether you're a cycling fanatic or just chasing incredible mountain scenery, Tourmalet delivers the full experience.