This short cycling break traces a complete triangular loop around the Black Mountains, starting and finishing in the book town of Hay-on-Wye and taking in some of the finest, and most testing, road cycling in Wales along the way. The route’s centrepiece is the climb over Gospel Pass, the highest paved road in the country, but the full triangle also takes in the atmospheric ruins of Llanthony Priory, the market town of Abergavenny, and a gentler return leg through classic Monmouthshire and Powys countryside, offering a genuinely complete circuit of one of Wales’ most dramatic mountain ranges in just a couple of days.
Leaving Hay-on-Wye, the route wastes little time before beginning the long climb towards Gospel Pass, reaching 549 metres between the summits of Hay Bluff and Twmpa, with views frequently compared to a scaled-down version of the great Alpine and Pyrenean climbs. Wild ponies are a common sight grazing the open common land near the top, and the panorama across the Black Mountains and Wye Valley from the summit makes every metre of the ascent worthwhile before the exhilarating descent into the Vale of Ewyas begins.
That descent brings riders to Llanthony Priory, a beautifully atmospheric twelfth-century Augustinian ruin with its own pub tucked among the original stonework, an ideal spot to pause before continuing south towards Abergavenny. Often described as the gateway to Wales, Abergavenny makes a natural point on the triangle to break the journey, with its own castle ruins and a good choice of places to eat and rest before tackling the return leg.
The route back towards Hay offers a real change of pace, following quieter roads through Crickhowell and past the historic tower house at Tretower, with the option to climb through the hills towards Pengenffordd or take a gentler path via Llangorse and Bwlch. Either way, the route eventually arrives in Talgarth, where a beautifully restored watermill now houses an award-winning café, the perfect spot for a well-earned slice of cake before the final, gentler miles back into Hay-on-Wye.
What makes the Black Mountains Triangle such a rewarding short break is this genuine variety packed into a compact loop, a serious mountain pass, atmospheric ruins, historic market towns and quiet rural lanes, all within a couple of days’ riding and returning neatly to where you started. It is a proper challenge for confident cyclists, but one that rewards every climb with equally memorable descents and views.
This cycling route through the Black Mountains is ideal for those with only a couple of days to spare. A self-guided tour gives you the flexibility of independent travel without compromising on comfort or convenience, making it an ideal introduction to cycling in Wales. With no set departure dates, simply decide when you want to start your tour and we will do the rest. Our Black Mountains Triangle package includes pick-up and drop-off at either Abergavenny or Hereford railway station at the start and end of the tour, two or three nights’ accommodation in quality B&Bs and guesthouses, daily luggage transfer (so you won’t be cursing on the hills), emergency vehicle back-up, custom maps with your daily ride highlighted, a detailed route guide with directions and background information, and a well-equipped 27-speed hybrid bike complete with handlebar bag, puncture repair kit, cycle computer, first aid kit, lock and water bottle.
Day 1: Arrive in Hay-on-Wye Make your own way to Hay-on-Wye, and spend the afternoon browsing its famous bookshops before settling in for the evening.
Day 2: Hay-on-Wye to Abergavenny The big day of the trip, climbing over Gospel Pass with spectacular views across the Black Mountains, before descending past Llanthony Priory into the Vale of Ewyas and on to Abergavenny.
Day 3: Abergavenny to Talgarth A gentler day through Crickhowell and past the historic tower house at Tretower, with the option of a further climb through the hills or a quieter valley route, finishing at the watermill café in Talgarth.
Day 4: Talgarth to Hay-on-Wye A short, easy final leg back into Hay-on-Wye, completing the triangle, before making your way home.
(Itinerary shown as an example – this tour typically runs 2-3 nights and can be adjusted to suit fitness levels and available time.)
