Abergwesyn Pass

The Abergwesyn Pass is a single track mountain road in mid Wales, running about 20 miles from Llanwrtyd Wells to Tregaron across the Cambrian Mountains. Visit Mid Wales calls it one of the few mountain routes across that range.

In the middle the road drops through the Devil's Staircase, a steep run of hairpins. The rest crosses Abergwesyn Common, a wild sweep of moorland, escarpment, pine forest and fast streams, and it is common to meet no other vehicle at all.

The National Trust looks after Abergwesyn Common, 12 miles of open hill between the Nant Irfon valley and Llanwrthwl, rich in Bronze Age cairns and other remains. Soar y Mynydd, described as the most remote chapel in Wales, is a short detour off the road, and both the chapel and Llyn Brianne reservoir further south are Dark Sky Discovery Sites.

• From Llanwrtyd Wells the road climbs up the Nant Irfon valley, a steep, winding valley with streams beside the road.
• In the middle the Devil's Staircase drops through a steep run of tight hairpins.
• The road is single track for most of the way, with long empty stretches where sheep outnumber cars.
• Abergwesyn Common has heather moorland, and red grouse, lapwing, golden plover and red kite live on the hills.
• Soar y Mynydd chapel sits a short way off the road, and Llyn Brianne reservoir lies further south.
• Best way to experience it: Driving it yourself in your own car or a hire car, or riding it on a motorbike.

• The National Trust says there are no formal car parks on Abergwesyn Common, with some parking along the roadside. Llanwrtyd Wells has free on street parking.
• Llanwrtyd Wells and Tregaron, at either end, are the towns for fuel and food.
• In winter the road can be icy or foggy.
• Llanwrtyd Wells is on the A483 between Builth Wells and Llandovery, and its railway station is about a 10 minute walk from the town. Bus 100 runs from Llandrindod Wells to Abergwesyn Old Post Office twice a day, Monday to Friday.

• Last verified: 3 November 2026
• Official link: https://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/things-to-do/abergwesyn-pass-scenic-drive-p1740501