LLANGYNIDR MOUNTAIN

LLANGYNIDR, CRICKHOWELL

The base to this monster climb can be found just east of Llangynidr. Leave the B4558 on the B4560 and begin your ascent up some smooth and gentle early slopes. Make the most of this warm-up as you pass farmhouses and climb round to the right through woodland, as just past a white cottage on the left the road climbs steeply into a left-hand hairpin. Over the cattle grid, with the road narrowing, you have to switch back on yourself before heading up a sweeping right-hander. It’s wild up here on the best of days, but if the weather turns, it can be a very inhospitable place. Past a car park you may think you’re at the top, but no – over the brow you’ll see there’s more climbing to be done. Head down the dip, sweep round the fast left-hand bend, and climb once more – legs screaming – up a short, nasty grind that veers right. After this is the final stretch up to the mountain summit.