Driving the narrow road to Gospel Pass in Wales
Wales, europe
12.55 km
551 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Gospel Pass (Bwlch yr Efengyl if you're feeling Welsh), straddling the English-Welsh border in southeast Wales. This isn't just any drive, folks; at 551m (1,807ft), it's one of the highest roads around!
Tucked away in the Black Mountains, inside Brecon Beacons National Park, this totally paved road is an adventure. Think narrow, mostly single-track, with just enough passing places to keep things interesting. Keep your eyes peeled for fellow explorers – cars and motorbikes love to hug those blind bends. Legend has it, the name comes from being the route to the old Llanthony Priory down south (still a pub there, thankfully!).
This beauty stretches for 12.55km (7.8 miles) from Hay-on-Wye to Capel-y-ffin, a proper climb that'll test your skills.
Heading up from Hay on Wye, you've got 8km of uphill fun, gaining 398 meters at an average of 5%. Flip it, starting from Capel y Ffin, and it's a shorter but steeper 4km climb, racking up 228 meters at 5.7%.
Give yourself 25-35 minutes to soak it all in (without stops, of course). Just a heads up: visibility heading north from the priory can be a bit limited until you're almost at the top.
Generally, you can tackle this pass year-round. But winter? That summit gets hammered with snow, and you might be stuck for days. Snow chains are a MUST.
Fun fact: the opening scene of "American Werewolf in London" was filmed up here! And speaking of up here, the views? Absolutely stunning. Whether you're looking back down the valley to the south or gazing into mid Wales, get ready for some serious eye candy.
Where is it?
Driving the narrow road to Gospel Pass in Wales is located in Wales (europe). Coordinates: 53.8621, -1.7437
Road Details
- Country
- Wales
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12.55 km
- Max Elevation
- 551 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 53.8621, -1.7437
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