Gospel Pass, Wales: Wales’s highest road

There are many great places to visit in Wales – and one of them is the Gospel Pass.

UK road trips offer a wide variety of sights and attractions to visit, and this location in the heart of the country is no different.

Here, we look at where the Gospel Pass is located, why it is famous, and what to do in the local area.

Where is Gospel Pass?

Gospel Pass is a high mountain pass located in the Black Mountains of South Wales in the United Kingdom.

It is renowned as the highest road pass in Wales, reaching an elevation of approximately 549 meters (1,801 feet) above sea level.

The pass offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

It connects the villages of Hay-on-Wye and Llanthony, running through a remote and scenic part of the Black Mountains.

The name "Gospel Pass" originates from medieval times when it was used by monks traveling through the region to spread the Christian gospel.

What is the highest road in Wales?

The highest road in Wales is the Gospel Pass in south east Wales, located in the Black Mountains region.

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Why should you visit Gospel Pass?

This narrow lane snaking over the Black Mountains between Monmouthshire and Powys is the highest stretch of road in Wales and one of your best chances to enjoy snow in southern Britain throughout winter. Yet it’s only three hours from London.

Linking the towns of Abergavenny and Hay-on-Wye, this 18-mile lane snakes its way past historic Llanthony Abbey all the way up to the 1,801ft-high (549m) Gospel Pass – folklore has it that St Paul came this way taking the bible to Wales.

The pass is flanked by the peaks of Waun Fach (811m) to the west and Hay Bluff (677m) to the east, which is also the English border.

What is there to do near Gospel Pass?

Enjoy the stunning views north over the Wye Valley or south over the once-glacial Vale of Ewyas. Or take a toboggan – the terrain up here is perfect for a fence-free long run.

If the pass is closed due to heavy snow, park up in the sheltered Vale of Ewyas to the south and take winter walks crunching uphill through the snowy lanes and footpaths instead.

Are you experiencing a car fault, warning, or mechanical problem on your road trip? Find a local mechanic with the RAC.

Drive to Gospel Pass

Here are the routes to Gospel Pass from some major UK cities. All times and routes are subject to traffic, roadworks, and accidents.

Alternatively, you can use RAC Route Planner to find the best journey for you.

Route from Cardiff to Gospel Pass

Route from Manchester to Gospel Pass

Route from Birmingham to Gospel Pass

Route from London to Gospel Pass