South/Mid Wales fun

[Joeigglypuff]

I'm off to Wales in a few weeks and wondered if anyone here can share some of their wisdom on good roads. Went a couple of years ago but didn't really have a set route, still fantastic but would be good to go on some certified gems. We're coming in on the M4, from there on it's anywhere really, staying somewhere around Merthyr Tydfil on the Friday then Haverfordwest on the Saturday. Back home to Surrey on Sunday.

My rough idea was to go up in to Brecon and around to the Black Mountain Pass (A4069), travelling up north, as I enjoyed it last time. Then possibly up to the Elan Valley and then just looking at google maps the A487 looks good on the way from there to Haverfordwest. Any advice?

[AdamIndy]

The black mountain pass is great but not really long enough to warrant a special trip. There is supposed to be a road between Brecon and Builth wells which is epic. I drove past it and could be arsed to turn around. Might be worth a google.

Not really much help I know.

[mr pg]

Try the road from Machynlleth to Llanidloes. The road from Brecon to Builth Wells is the B4520.

[Yipper]

Gospel Pass, highest road pass in Wales, is good for scenery, hiking and history (old abbey in the middle of nowhere). A bit too narrow for a hoon, but good for a leisurely drive in the countryside to the top of a mountain.

[Allyc85]

mr pg said:

Try the road from Machynlleth to Llanidloes. The road from Brecon to Builth Wells is the B4520.

This. Very much do this!

The B4358 between Newbridge on Wye and Beulah is also fantastic.

[nw942]

Building on what others have said:

Old Severn Bridge
Chepstow
Itton-Trelleck to Monmouth
Then head for Llancloudy on the A466 until the B4521
Follow this to Abergavenny

If you have time take the A40 through Crickhowell and then the A479 to Talgarth
Then the B4560 to Llangorse/Bwlch/Llangynidr

Alternatively take the A40 to Crickhowell and then the B4558 directly to Llangynidr.

Then Llangynidr to Beaufort.

Beaufort will leave you on the Heads of the Valleys a few miles from Merthyr. Note that they have average speed cameras around Merthyr.

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On the second day take the A465 to Hirwaun, then the A4059 over Penderyn. Follow the A470 to Brecon.

Take the B4520 through Upper Chapel to Builth Wells and then on to Newbridge on Wye. Turn left in NoW on the B4538, which will take you to Beulah.

At this point you can of course continue North to take in the Elan Valley and the road between Llanidloes/Staylittle.

Follow the A483 through Llanwrtyd Wells to Llandovery.

From Llandovery take the A4069 to Upper Brynamman.

I would then double-back to Llangadog and then make your way to Lampeter. From there you have several choices to get onto the A487, which will take you to Haverfordwest.