Aerial view of parked cars and congestion at Pen-y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons National Park (Image: Getty Images)
It’s the only A road in the UK that spans the entire length of a country, beginning at a seaside location in the south and teminating at another waterside spot in the north.
This remarkable route traverses vast mountains, lakes and castles, and cuts through two national parks. However, its starting point remains a mystery to many, even including those who live on it, despite it being a bustling and renowned spot where thousands flock on summer days.
For many, the mere mention of the A470 conjures up miserable images of bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak commuting hours into or out of northern Cardiff from the south Wales valleys. But this “urban motorway” section is merely a small part of the road.
Heading north from there, the road winds through iconic Welsh towns such as Pontypridd and Merthyr, which were instrumental in Britain’s industrial revolution when Welsh coal and iron were of global importance. Just beyond Merthyr, the road enters the Brecon Beacons and skirts past Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in south Wales.
The views from your car at this juncture are breathtakingly beautiful, with heart-stopping drops from the road down a mountainside on one side, reports Wales Online.
The Felin Fach Griffin in its beautiful Brecon Beacons location (Image: Felin Fach Griffin)
North of the charming market town of Brecon, where you could stop to enjoy a couple of hours on a narrowboat on the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal, the road takes you through the stunning rural mid Wales and the breathtaking Elan Valley. This little-known beauty spot rivals the Lake District with its picturesque scenery and lakes.
If hunger strikes, just north of Brecon, you’ll find the Felin Fach Griffin, a cosy spot serving some of the finest food in Wales by roaring log fires, with comfortable rooms for an overnight stay.
As you continue northwards, expect to encounter slow-moving farming vehicles as you are now in the heart of Welsh farming country. The Royal Welsh Show, a major event in the farming calendar, takes place over one week every summer near the town of Builth Wells.
Further north, the route takes you through the Coed y Brenin forest, which translates to Forest of Kings in Welsh, and the Eryri (formerly known as Snowdonia) national park. You’ll pass not too far from Yr Wyddfa (or Snowdon), the highest mountain in all of Wales and England.
Betws-y-Coed is a small village in the heart of the Eryri national park (Image: Getty Images)
The A470 also traverses through the historic slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, which was once a hub for slate exportation much like Pontypridd and Merthyr were for coal and iron. The picturesque village of Betws-y-Coed, with its Alpine-like surroundings of waterfalls, woodlands and mountains, is another highlight along this route.
The Swallow Falls waterfall, located just outside the town, is a must-visit spot. The charming village of Beddgelert, known for its quaint stone cottages, pubs and one of Wales’ most tragic tales, is also nearby.
As you continue northwards, the road takes you close to Conwy, home to one of Wales’ most magnificent castles, part of King Edward I’s Ring of Steel. Overlooking the Conwy estuary, the castle remains a formidable structure even today.
Conwy itself is a delightful town, offering plenty of options for dining, drinking and overnight stays, as discovered by this writer. The A470 concludes at the renowned seafront promenade of Llandudno, a favourite staycation and day trip destination for Brits since the Victorian era.
Where does the A470 start/end in the south?
Few realise this, but the A470 actually begins at Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay, just outside the Wales Millennium Centre. It stretches up Lloyd George Avenue before heading up Cardiff’s North Road and morphing into what everyone in south Wales recognises as the A470, the dual carriageway running from Cardiff through the valleys.
The original road was constructed in 1922, stretching from Cardiff Docks to Brecon. The modern route is the result of a campaign in the 1970s by the Western Mail newspaper for a single route to link north and south Wales. At 186 miles long, it holds the title of Wales’ longest road.
The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, where the A470 starts (Image: Rob Browne)
When is the ideal time to drive the A470?
Simply put, when you have plenty of time to spare. Driving from one end to the other is a magnificent journey, with numerous spots to pause for delicious food, pleasant walks and breathtaking views. However, if you’re pressed for time, try to avoid getting stuck in a Cardiff traffic jam or behind a tractor in mid Wales.
The low afternoon sun captures the mist in the Elan Valley (Image: Getty Images)
Where to eat on the A470
As for dining and accommodation options on the A470, there are plenty either directly on the road or just a short detour away. Consider stopping in the towns of Conwy or Brecon for lunch or dinner. One of the most delightful places to eat in all of Wales, the Felin Fach Griffin, is conveniently located by the side of the road.
