by Anna Hann
posted on 9 July 2024
The A4069 in Wales, better known as the Black Mountain Pass, winds its way through the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its hairpin turns and steep gradients have made it a popular road for car enthusiasts and car magazine test drivers to try a variety of driving experiences along a 20-mile stretch of road while enjoying some stunning scenery and sheep-dotted countryside along the way.
Famously, Jeremy Clarkson was filmed driving here for an episode of Top Gear in a sleek Mercedes-Benz, which earned the road the moniker Top Gear Road. To make the most of your trip, book a car on Turo and explore the picturesque landscapes along the way.
Where is the Black Mountain Pass?
The Black Mountain Pass is a 20-mile-long mountain road that cuts a north-to-south route through the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales between Llandovery and Gwaun-cae-Gurwen.
The route
The Black Mountain Pass is a challenging route that takes around 40 minutes to drive, but you’ll want to allow more time to pull over to admire the scenery. It’s a varied stretch of country road, and the route takes you through moorland and follows an undulating course of smooth corners, switchbacks, and open straights.
Most drivers set off on a southbound journey from Llandovery to Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, as they favour tackling the hairpin known as Cuckoo Turn from this direction. However, you may want to drive the road twice—it’s often said that views of the Tywi Valley are best appreciated going north, bending sharply up into the mountains before the road turns into a more undulating ride, where cliffs and sheer drops give way to sheep-strewn moorland before the pass drops into the valley of Llandovery.
The scenic highlights
The Black Mountain Pass looms 500 metres above sea level at its highest point. Along the way, plan to stop at the ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle. It’s a short detour from the Black Mountain Pass route, sitting impressively on a limestone crag southeast of Llandeilo above the River Cennen below.
Some confusing points to know about
The Black Mountain Pass is in the westernmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park, but somewhat confusingly, there’s also the Black Mountains, a group of hills spread across Powys and Monmouthshire in southeast Wales and extending across the national border into Herefordshire, England. The Black Mountain range and the Black Mountains range are not the same thing.
To add further confusion, while it sounds like you’ll be driving on an epic mountain road when you tackle the Black Mountain Pass, the scenery around it is more hill-like than mountainous.
Preparing for your trip
Before you book a car and set off on your adventure through Wales, there are a few things to remember.
Get your car ready
It’s important to make sure that your car is in good condition for the drive. If you book a car on Turo, your host will make sure that the car is ready and that the tyres have good tread and are pumped to the recommended psi. Before setting off, make sure you have plenty of fuel, whether that’s petrol, diesel, or electric, and know where you can top up along the way.
Time your drive
Most people choose a spring or summer road trip when they want to see the best of the scenery along the Black Mountain Pass. There are more daylight hours, and you can time your visit with sunset to see the Welsh countryside bathed in golden light.
Things to look out for
This being Wales, it’s always best to be prepared for inclement weather on the route, whatever time of year you decide to take the drive. Watch for stray sheep – Black Mountain sheep roam around these parts, and it’s not unusual to spot sheep on the road around the hills or on the road itself.
You’ll probably find the roads in Wales are quiet, but if you encounter a car or tractor you want to overtake, do so cautiously and only when you have clear visibility.
Exploring the surrounding area
As the Black Mountain Pass is only 20 miles long, you’ll want to make the most of what else Wales has to offer.
Brecon Beacons National Park
In the Brecon Beacons, keen hikers can explore the trails and paths that offer incredible views of the landscape and mountains, including the famous Pen y Fan peak. Cyclists can ride through picturesque valleys and along peaceful country roads.
Nearby places to visit
Don’t miss the spectacular Castell Carreg Cennen and Castell Dinefwr and the boutiques of Llandeilo, a tiny town on the River Towy. Stroll along the narrow streets and browse speciality and independent boutiques in brightly painted shops.
Other great driving roads in Wales
Turn left at Beddgelert along the A498, then look left again for more glimpses of the summit, this time jagged and triangular, set amongst an awesome horseshoe of cliffs. Turn left at Pen y Gwryd and up through the famous Llanberis Pass. Its summit, Pen-y-Pass, marks the start of the most popular walking routes.
Ready to go?
If you’re tempted to drive the Black Mountain Pass, it’s a good choice, whether you’re a keen motorist or simply can’t get enough of a good view.
Some of the best cars to drive the route are sports cars—not dissimilar to Jeremy Clarkson’s Mercedes-Benz CLK. A convertible comes highly recommended in the summer so you can make the most of the blue skies (with any luck). Something more rugged with a bike rack is also recommended if you’re planning on exploring the area’s network of trails. Whatever you fancy getting behind the wheel of, find your drive on Turo.
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