Gospel Pass 100 mile Audax

Glorious day - long cycle but great day and great company

Ride on Strava

The Gospel Pass (Welsh: Bwlch yr Efengyl) is the highest road pass in Wales. It is at the head of the Vale of Ewyas in the Black Mountains of southeast Wales. The narrow mountain road climbs steeply from Hay-on-Wye to a height of 549 metres (1,801 ft) above sea level, squeezing between the mountains of Twmpa to the west and Hay Bluff to the east, before dropping down into the valley to the south on its way to Llanthony Priory, Llanfihangel Crucorney and Abergavenny.

The name is supposed to derive from the passage through here in the 12th century of Crusaders preaching and fundraising. At one time a small lead-mining operation was established at the pass. The Gospel Pass is one of the most celebrated locations within the Brecon Beacons National Park, being a popular destination for sightseers and is popular too with walkers and cyclists. Indeed the Gospel Pass road forms a part of route 42 of the National Cycle Network.