Brecon Beacons National Park

Starting at Chepstow, on the banks of the River Severn, National Cycle Route 42, Lôn Las Cymru, enters the National Park near the bustling market town of Abergavenny, which makes an ideal stopover before the steady climb up into the magnificent Black Mountains.

Leaving the River Usk behind, the trail follows delightful quiet country lanes north into the beautiful Vale of Ewyas, where it passes close to the atmospheric ruins of Llanthony Priory, much loved by artists including Turner.

More quiet lanes lead north to the tiny hamlet of Capel-y-ffin, where the way climbs out onto open hillsides for the final push up to the spectacular 542m (1,778ft) Gospel Pass; where there are marvellous views over the lowlands of the Wye Valley. From here, the trail drops sweetly into the Valley, where it links with National Cycle Route 8 at Glasbury, on the banks of the mighty River Wye itself.