Gospel Pass facts for kids
The Gospel Pass (in Welsh: Bwlch yr Efengyl) is the highest road pass in Wales. It's located in the beautiful Black Mountains in southeast Wales. This narrow mountain road starts near Hay-on-Wye. It climbs steeply to about 549 meters (1,801 feet) above sea level.
The pass winds between two mountains: Twmpa to the west and Hay Bluff to the east. After reaching its highest point, the road goes down into a valley. It then continues towards places like Llanthony Priory and Abergavenny. Most of the road is a single track road, meaning it's only wide enough for one car at a time. Luckily, there are many spots where cars can pull over to let others pass. Because it's so high up, the Gospel Pass often gets blocked by snow in winter.
Why is it Called Gospel Pass?
The name "Gospel Pass" has a couple of interesting stories behind it. One local belief says that Saint Paul once visited Wales. He supposedly traveled through this pass with the daughter of a Welsh leader named Caradog (also known as Caractacus). The story goes that Saint Paul first preached the Christian message, or "gospel," to her people right here. He may have even visited Caradog, whom he had met before in Rome.
Another idea is that the name comes from Crusaders who passed through in the 1100s. These Crusaders were traveling and raising money for their journeys. The Gospel Pass is a very famous spot within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Many people visit it to enjoy the views, go for walks, or cycle. In fact, the Gospel Pass road is part of route 42 of the National Cycle Network. You might also recognize it from the opening scenes of the film "An American Werewolf In London."
Exploring the Gospel Pass
There's a car park near the top of the pass, on the northern side, close to Hay Bluff. This is a great place to stop if you want to explore the nearby mountains, especially Hay Bluff and the Twmpa. The famous Offa's Dyke Path crosses the road near this car park. This path leads to Hay Bluff and then continues along Hatterrall Ridge and towards the Black Mountain. It also follows the edge of the escarpment (a steep slope) to the Black Hill.
While many paths, especially the official Offa's Dyke Path, have stone pavements to keep your feet dry, other routes can be very wet. You might find peat bogs (wet, spongy ground) on the higher parts of the mountains. However, the lower areas are usually much drier. As you explore, you'll often see Welsh mountain ponies and many sheep grazing near the car park.
