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Wales is a country in the United Kingdom known for its rugged and beautiful landscape. The hilly country is dominated by the Cambrians on the central and northern sides and the Brecon Beacons on the south. Therefore, if you’re an avid adventurer looking for a new challenge, the highest road in Wales should be at the top of your bucket list.
This article will go over the highest roads in Wales for anyone looking to enjoy a challenging drive and stunning views. These roads feature steep inclines and hairpin bends but no more than scenic views that will ensure an unforgettable experience as you navigate them.
Table Of Contents
Highest Public Roads In Wales
To start with, we’ll check out the highest public roads. These roads are open year-round to people who want or need to pass through them for a scenic drive.
1. The Gospel Pass – 549 m (1,801 ft)
The Gospel Pass is South Wales’s highest road, reaching 549 m (1,801 ft). This narrow, single-track road runs from Hay-on-Wye to Abergavenny, passing through the Vale of Ewyas in the Black Mountains. The road is about 18 miles (29 km) long and is bounded to the west by Waun Fach and to the east by Hay Bluff.
Tip: The road up to the Gospel Pass is steep and seldom cleared, so ensure that you have snow chains in winter.
Despite being a single-track road, the route has a lot of passing places, making it easy to navigate even when you meet an oncoming vehicle. Even though the road is a bit challenging, the panoramic view of Wales from the peak of the hills guarantees that you’ll have a fantastic day.
Click here to see the highest roads in Scotland.
2. Bwlch Y Groes – 545 m (1,788 ft)
Bwlch y Groes is a mountain pass that reaches an elevation of 545 m (1,788 ft), making it the second-highest public road in Wales. It is located in the Aran Mountains, on the edge of Snowdonia.
Although the pass is paved all through, it is narrow and very steep, which can present a challenging ride for most people.
Austin Motor Company and the Standard Triumph Motor Company have both used Bwlch y Groes to test prototype cars.
This road, also known as Hellfire Pass, is 12 miles (19 km) long. It lies on minor roads linking Dinas Mawddwy, Llanuwchllyn and Lake Vyrnwy. Its length and gradient make it one of the most challenging drives in all of Britain.
The route is mostly remote and it provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside at its most elevated point.
Check out the highest roads in England.
3. Bwlch Y Cloddiau – 533 m (1,748 ft)
With a peak elevation of 533 m (1,748 ft), you’re not going to come across many higher passes than Bwlch y Cloddiau. This pass, located in Powys, in Mid Wales, is popular among hikers, cyclists and motorcyclists.
The main road leading to the summit is quite narrow; some sections are barely wide enough for two cars. So you may have to reverse a few kilometres to find a passing place if you come across another vehicle.
Starting from Troed Yr Allt, the ascent is 3.0 miles (4.82 km) long. Over this distance, the road has an elevation gain of 250 m.
Since most of these roads are narrow, make sure you know how to drive in reverse in case you need to move back a bit for an incoming vehicle.
Highest Private Roads In Wales
Now, we’ll go over the highest private roads in the country. Unlike the public roads earlier discussed, access to these high roads is restricted.
1. Marchlyn Mawr Dam – 641 m (2,103 ft)
Marchlyn Mawr is a natural lake dammed to form a reservoir. The epic road leading to this lake is Wales’s highest road. It reaches an elevation of 641 m (2,103 ft). The road to the lake is paved but very narrow, making it difficult for inexperienced drivers to navigate.
Starting from Deiniolen, a village in Gwynedd, the ascent is 5.3 km (3.3 miles) long. The power/water company owns this road, and there is a gate that prevents private vehicles from gaining access to the final 1.8 miles (2.9 km) of its length. However, bikes can ride it.
Some sources list Marchlyn Mawr Surge Pond as Wales’s highest road, but there is no information about the route.
2. Ffynnon Llugwy – 554 m (1,817 ft)
Ffynnon Llugwy is a mountain road, reaching an elevation of 554 m (1,817 ft) above sea level. This road is located in Snowdonia National Park, in North Wales, at the feet of the Carneddau mountain range. This fairly narrow pass is paved and, like Marchlyn Mawr, is owned by the power/water company.
The road starts from the paved A5 Road and extends to cover an area of 1.6 miles (2.6 km). Over this distance, the road has an elevation of 262 m and a maximum gradient of 15%. Ffynnon Llugwy is a restricted road. Therefore, private vehicles cannot gain access to it.
Learn about the longest road in the UK as well as the highest road.
3. Stwlan Dam – 512 m (1,679 ft)
Llyn Stwlan is a mountain reservoir in Gwynedd, Wales. The road leading to this reservoir reaches a peak elevation of 512m (1,679ft), making it one of the highest roads in Wales. Stwlan Dam is paved, but it is narrow and curvy, with eight hairpin turns. The road is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long and runs from Tanygrisiau to the dam.
Llyn Stwlan used to be just a small corrie lake, but the dam built in the late 1950s as part of the Ffestiniog Power Station, a hydroelectric pumped-storage scheme, gave it another purpose. Since then, Stwlan Dam is a private road.
Tip: The high altitude and weather can cause visibility challenges on high roads, so avoid driving too fast.
Attractions Of The Gospel Pass
A drive across the Gospel Pass doesn’t just provide you with beautiful views of the surrounding area. There are several attractions that you can explore during your trip.
Hay Bluff
Make a stop to explore Hay Bluff, a popular hill at the northern tip of the Black Mountains. Park your car at the car park and climb up the side of the hill to the 677m peak.
The summit of this hill provides you with a great view of the surrounding areas, including the county of Powys, the Wye Valley and the town of Hay-on-Wye. On your way down from the hills, you’ll find an ice cream van close to the car park in case you want to reward yourself with a treat.
Folklore has it that St Paul passed through Gospel Pass when taking the Bible to Wales.
Llanthony Priory
A few more miles along Gospel Pass and you’ll arrive at Llanthony, a partially ruined Augustinian priory in the Vale of Ewyas. William de Lacy created Llanthony Priory in the 12th century. The area and its buildings were home to Augustinian monks for 100 years until they moved to Gloucester and Hereford.
The ruins were rebuilt in the 13th century and the remains are what you find there today. You can spend some time exploring the ruins of Llanthony Priory and take some photos of the soaring arches and stone pillars.
Capel Y FFin
If you drive a bit further down the road from Hay Bluff, you’ll arrive at Capel y Ffin, a small hamlet with a white cottage and a little white chapel. The entire settlement is aesthetically appealing, but the best beauty lies around the chapel. The chapel, named St Mary the Virgin is flanked on all sides by yew trees and old gravestones.
St Mary the Virgin was built in 1762 on the site of an ancient church. Measuring just 8 by 4 metres, it is one of the smallest churches in South Wales and Wales as a whole. A short distance from the chapel is a derelict monastery where Eric Gill lived in 1924. Although the monastery is on privately owned grounds, you can take a walk around the surrounding area.
The Gospel Pass gained more popularity after showing in the opening scenes of the film, ‘An American Werewolf in London’.
The Relief Of Wales
Wales is a compact country, spanning an area of 8,024 square mi (20,782 square km). The country is very hilly, and as a result, you’ll come across a lot of steep roads. Wales has various kinds of beautiful driving roads, ranging from motorways to country lanes and narrow high passes. The condition of the roads also varies. Some are well-paved and easy to navigate, while others present a more challenging drive.
Wales has a population of about 3.1 million, but most of its population is heavily concentrated in metropolitan areas, so expect heavy traffic when driving in these areas during peak travel times. However, the areas with the highest passes are often sparsely populated, so you don’t have to worry about getting held up.
Read more about how to plan a weeklong Wales road trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Drive The Gospel Pass?
Yes, you can drive the Gospel Pass. The Gospel Pass is Wales’s highest road available for public access. The road, located in South Wales, reaches a peak elevation of 549 m (1,801 ft) and is 18 mi (29 km) long. The Gospel Pass is a single-track road and it runs from Hay-on-Wye to Abergavenny, passing through the Vale of Ewyas and Wye Valley in the Black Mountains.
What Is The Second Highest Road In Wales?
The second highest road in Wales is Ffynnon Llugwy. This road, reaching an elevation of 554m (1,817ft) above sea level, is only behind Marchlyn Mawr Dam, which is Wales’s highest road. Ffynnon Llugwy starts from the paved A5 Road and spans an area of 1.6 mi (2.6 km).
What Is The Hardest Road In Wales?
The hardest road in Wales is Bwlch y Groes. Bwlch y Groes is a mountain pass, reaching an elevation of 545 m (1,788 ft). Although the route leading to the summit of this road is completely paved, it is steep and narrow, which makes it difficult to navigate. Due to the challenging terrain, this road is unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles.
Is Wales Hilly Or Flat?
Wales is hilly. In fact, it is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, with over 188 mountains above 600 m (1968 ft). The most hilly area in Wales is Snowdonia in the northwest, which has several high mountains and roads. South Wales has flat coastal plains, but there are also numerous hills and mountains.
Is Driving In Wales Difficult?
Yes, driving in Wales is difficult, especially if you’re driving in the northern part of the country. North Wales is a mountainous region. The roads are often windy, and the terrain is hilly, making it difficult to navigate. Driving around the south coast of Wales is relatively easy due to the well-paved M4 and A roads. However, when you leave these roads, it becomes more challenging.
Conclusion
Exploring the highest road in Wales promises to be an unforgettable experience for any adventure lover. Wales has several high roads in different parts of the country that provide you with incredible views of the surrounding area. However, before you leave home, ensure your vehicle is in good condition to navigate those hilly terrains.
