United Kingdom · Moorland · Hairpins · Fast sweepers
Black Mountain Pass
A4069 · Brecon Beacons
- Length
- 32 km20 miles
- High point
- 493 m1,617 ft
- Driving time
- 40 minutes
- Season
- Year-round
- Toll
- Free
- Country
- United Kingdom
The A4069 crosses the Black Mountain at the western end of the Brecon Beacons, running about 20 miles from Llandovery through Llangadog to Brynamman. It climbs to 493 m over open moorland and is one of the most filmed roads in Britain, a regular backdrop for television road tests.
The drive
North to south is the better direction. After Llangadog the road climbs through trees, breaks out onto the open hill and runs through a series of well-sighted, cambered bends to the summit car park. The descent towards Brynamman includes the Tro Gwcw, or Cuckoo Turn, a tight downhill hairpin.
Link it with the A4067 past Cray reservoir and the mountain road from Trecastle to make a loop of an hour or so.
In your Lotus
A classic Lotus road: narrow enough that a small car has room to choose a line, quick enough to feel like proper driving at legal speeds. The limit is now 40 mph over part of the mountain section, so go for the views and the rhythm.
Watch out for
- A 40 mph limit applies on the upper section, and it is enforced.
- Sheep lie on the warm tarmac, including on the exits of blind bends.
- It is very busy with bikes and car clubs on sunny Sundays.
