Day Three: Brecon to Cardiff

A final push over the Black Mountains and into the heart of the Welsh capital.

Overview

Cymru’s highest road kicks off Day Three, before a triumphant ride into the beating heart of Wales’ industrial heritage.

Departing Brecon, you’ll skirt through Hay-on-Wye, the “town of books”, hugging the Anglo-Welsh border before starting on perhaps the most iconic climb of the entire RideCymru route, Gospel Pass. Climbing to an altitude of 1800ft over the course of 5 miles, the highest road in Wales winds its way between the Twmpa and Hay Bluff in the Black Mountains. Your reward for the challenge is the spectacular Vale of Ewyas descent on the other side!

Following Gospel Pass and the isolation of central Wales, civilisation gradually makes itself known again as you pass through Abergavenny and around the industrial city of Newport. There’s just one final, tough ascent up and over Caerphilly Mountain to conquer before you make your way into the heart of the Welsh capital to City Hall, where your RideCymru journey comes to a glorious end.

Key Information

  • Start: Brecon
  • Finish: Cardiff
  • Distance: 86 miles / 138km
  • Elevation: 6200ft / 1890m
  • Difficulty: 4/5

Iconic Sites

  • Gospel Pass – The highest road in Wales
  • The Vale of Ewyas 10-mile descent
  • The River Usk
  • Newport and the Welsh industrial heartland
  • Caerphilly Mountain
  • City Hall, Cardiff