South Wales circular route

South Wales circular route

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Claude455

Original Poster:

169 posts

161 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
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I'm struggling to put together a decent route so I'm calling on the experts for some advice.

I'll be heading into Wales on the M4 with the sole aims of driving the Trecastle to Tirabad road, then visiting Llyn Brianne, anything else is a bonus.

Ideally I'd like to do it all in one day, but if it works out as unfeasible then I'll overnight in Aberystwyth.

My rough plan is to get to Tregaron then head north towards Devil's Bridge, before turning back to the Elan Valley, but everything before and after is giving me no end of headaches, I'm just going round in circles. Help!!

I'm familiar with the B4560 and the A4069 so not fussed on them, but I'd appreciate any suggestions on routes to consider and avoid.

Many thanks in advance

Claude455

Original Poster:

169 posts

161 months

Saturday 3rd March 2018
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Perhaps something like this???

https://goo.gl/maps/eQSxRm3LaEF2

hoegaardenruls

1,224 posts

147 months

Sunday 4th March 2018
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Some very good roads in that route, but get off the boring bits ASAP

A couple of additions:

First, use the old Severn Bridge, and leave the M48 at Chepstow - then take the B4235 towards Usk, eventually joining the A472

Second, from the Heads of the Valleys road (A465), use the B4560 to Llangynidr, picking up the A40 after there.

Claude455

Original Poster:

169 posts

161 months

Sunday 4th March 2018
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Perfect feedback, thank you!

Claude455

Original Poster:

169 posts

161 months

Monday 5th March 2018
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Here's the latest route iteration:

https://goo.gl/maps/EhWAMHXobTM2

Trefy5

459 posts

167 months

Tuesday 6th March 2018
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Alternative thought for your return from Brecon.
Head for Hay on Wye. Follow the road along the south bank of the Wye via Bredwardine - Moccas - Madley to just south of Hereford - A465 that runs to Abergavenny. Go toward the latter til you reach a SHELL garage on the right. Turn left opposite the garage passing the Tram Inn (B43480) - to Much Dewchurch and Wormelow. Right on to A466 to Monmouth.
Choice: down the Wye Valley via Tintern. Beautiful but very popular and last time i was there the road between Tintern and Chepstow was closed but that may've been weather-related
or
go through Monmouth (Gibralter) tunnels on A40 to Raglan and head for Chepstow over the top
or go further down to Usk and go over the top from there instead

Quikcurl

381 posts

171 months

Tuesday 6th March 2018
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If you want to avoid the Dual carriageway, you could go into Usk, turn right at the Three Salmons and follow the road through Llancayo up to the Steel Horse Cafe, then turn left and you'll join your route again just south of Abergavenny.

I have to go between Usk and Aber semi-regularly and it's a much more interesting route than the Dual.

Yipper

5,964 posts

105 months

Tuesday 6th March 2018
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Brecon Beacons.
Llanthony Priory.
Milford Haven.

Red Devil

13,304 posts

223 months

Tuesday 6th March 2018
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Yipper said:
Llanthony Priory.
^^This^^I

The view from Bwlch yr Efengyl* is worth the detour.
https://goo.gl/maps/NZxsX2e7eYU2
https://goo.gl/maps/H3ntTGH5Ec22
Can be done either way: outward or return leg.

 * aka Gospel Pass the highest in Wales between Twmpa (aka Lord Hereford's Knob) and Hay Bluff).