At over 100km with significant elevation gain, this is a route designed for experienced road cyclists. It combines three legendary Welsh climbs with market towns, rural lanes and big‑view mountain roads, making it a standout long‑distance cycling route in south Wales.
Use the route explorer map to study gradients, plan stops and understand how the climbs fit together — essential preparation for making the most of this ambitious and rewarding ride.
A challenging long‑distance cycle ride in South Wales
Discipline: Road
Region: Bannau Brycheiniog / Monmouthshire
Distance: 106.75 km
Total Elevation: 2,292 m
Difficulty: Advanced
Who is this route for? Experienced riders who want to tackle three legendary Welsh climbs in one ambitious, scenic day starting and ending in a cycling‑friendly town
A classic road cycling route from Abergavenny
Starting and finishing in Abergavenny, this advanced road cycling route forms a full‑day loop through the heart of south‑east Wales. Known for its cycling cafés, services and rail links, the town is a natural base for riders looking to tackle some of the country’s most celebrated climbs in a single ride.
The route heads quickly into open countryside, setting the tone for a long‑distance cycle ride that blends sustained ascents, flowing descents and rural valley roads across Bannau Brycheiniog and Monmouthshire.
Riding the Gospel Pass, Wales’ highest paved road
The first major challenge is the climb to the Gospel Pass, the highest paved road in Wales and a must‑ride ascent for road cyclists. Gradual but unrelenting, the road rises into the Black Mountains, where views stretch across open ridgelines and deep valleys on a clear day.
This section captures the essence of mountain road cycling in Wales: exposed, atmospheric and wonderfully quiet. Reaching the summit rewards riders with both panoramic scenery and a sense of achievement early in the challenge.
Open moorland riding over Llangynidr Mountain
After descending from the pass and rolling through quieter valley roads, the route turns skyward again over Llangynidr Mountain. This climb crosses broad moorland, where the landscape feels bigger and more remote than its mileage suggests.
Traffic is minimal, sightlines are long, and the experience is all about rhythm and endurance. It’s a defining section of the route and a contrast to the steeper climbs that follow - ideal for riders who enjoy sustained effort in a wild setting.
The Tumble - one of Wales’s most iconic road climbs
The final test is The Tumble, one of the most recognisable road climbs in Wales and a regular feature in elite racing, including the Tour of Britain. Shorter and steeper than earlier ascents, its punchy ramps demand focus when fatigue is already setting in.
At the top, there’s little doubt you’ve earned the views. A fast, flowing descent then leads back towards Abergavenny, completing a loop that showcases some of the strongest road cycling terrain in the country.
