UK (78) . Wales (40) . South Wales (18) . Brecon Beacons (4) .

The Gap

Grade: Red (Difficult) Red (Difficult)
Distance:32.00 km
Ascent:800 m

The highest crossing of the Brecon Beacons. There are no serious technical difficulties, but it is sustained and takes you through some seriously wild mountain territory.

Start at Talybont-on-Usk and take the long gradual climb south, up the Taff Trail.

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Postcode: LD3 7JA

Nearby trails

Red (Difficult) Best of Llangorse - 38.00 km
Red (Difficult) Blaenavon and Blorenge - 18.00 km
Black (Severe) Black Mountains Classic - 38.70 km

Route Details

  1. There is parking in Talybont-on-Usk. From near the bridge, take the Taff Trail for a long steady climb through the forest to reach the road just before its high point.
  2. Cross over the top, descend a short way and turn right onto a good track that contours through Taf Fechan Forest. At the end of the forest a short drop down to a stream and the climb out on the other side give the most technical moments of the ride. The following track is rocky but ridable all the way to the col at 600m.
  3. The top of the descent has some small rocky steps before it turns into a sweeping dive across the hillside to the road, which can be taken to Llanfrynach, or you can take in a couple of short bridleways.
  4. Spin back along the road to the start.