Gospel Pass

Photos don't do the views justice. It can get really windy so bring a jacket. Stunning natural beauty. Single lane road with passing sections along the way. Weather can change quickly

I took a bit of a detour on a road trip in Wales to visit the Gospel Pass as I read some very complimentary comments about it when looking for advice on things to visit. The pass offers quite spectacular views of the surrounding area, and is well worth visiting.

As mentioned in the title, the best way to navigate there (assuming the use of a Google Maps!) is to search for the 'Gospel Pass Car Park'. The pin for 'Gospel Pass' isn't in the right location, and will take you to a hamlet with a church where the roads are impassable past a certain point.

Bored with motorway driving? Looking for somwhere to excersice your feet, horse, mountain bike or 4x4? Fancy sitting on Lord Herford's Knob? Then visit the Gospel Pass! This is the highest road in Wales, a 22 mile single track from Abergavenny to Hay on Wye, via LLanthony Priory., the roads have an average 1 in 4 grade, with high hedges and bends, real fun edge of seat! Then onto the plateau with unparralled views of Tumpa and The Sugar Loaf. Tumpa is the Welsh name, the English (Who let them over Offa's Dye?) decided all mountains should have English names, hence, and I kid you not, look at the OS map- Lord Herford's Knob.

I took a friend up there as we had both aquire new Land Rover Discovery's, and wanted to try out the hill descent system, it worked on both (Overtime)

It is simply the joy of being up in such a wild place, we were in heavy rain with the cloud layer in the valley and the top layer above Tumps, even so it was just Glourious.
At each end you have Abergavenny, full of good cafes and places of intrest , and Hay on Wye , second hand bookshop capital of the world.plus cafes etc. In winter the RAC recommend snow chains, well.. I have a set and can't wait.

The area is also part of the Europen Dark Skies initative. I'd recommend a vist on a clear winter night with no moon and a good set of star maps. A gas camping stove , hot chocalate and food of choice. Well worth losing a nights sleep.

This is a beautiful drive but the part along Hay Bluff is quite hairy if you have to pass a car going the other way! Do stop off at Llanthony Abbey on the way up from Abergavenny.

We visited Gospel Pass on our way to the Pembrokeshire Coast. It was a peaceful and beautiful experience. Lots of sheep and breathtaking views. Well worth a visit.