Pen y Fan and open moorland in the Brecon Beacons with a road running through
South Wales National park

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

A whole national park built for motorcycling — high mountain roads, plunging waterfalls, glassy reservoirs and some of the best bends in Britain.

Now officially known by its Welsh name, Bannau Brycheiniog, this 520-square-mile national park stretches across South and Mid Wales. For riders it’s a dream: quiet A- and B-roads linking mountain passes, market towns and natural wonders, all within easy reach of the M4 and the Midlands.

Don’t miss

  • Pen y Fan — the highest peak in southern Britain, with popular walking trails
  • Waterfall Country around Ystradfellte and Pontneddfechan
  • Llyn y Fan Fach and the wild western Beacons (the Black Mountain)
  • Historic market towns of Brecon, Crickhowell and Llandovery
  • Dark-sky stargazing — the park is an International Dark Sky Reserve

Best roads in the park

Top of the list is the Black Mountain Pass (A4069) in the west, followed by the Gospel Pass over the eastern Black Mountains. The A470 through the central Beacons, the A4059 past Storey Arms, and the quiet lanes around the reservoirs all reward exploration.

The Beacons’ mountain roads are exposed and weather changes fast. Fuel up in the towns, watch for sheep and cyclists, and carry layers — it can be summer in the valley and winter on the tops.