Bwlch Penbarras
Encyclopedia
Bwlch Penbarras is a mountain pass
in the Clwydian Range
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
, in north-east Wales
.
The pass is on an unclassified road between Tafarn-y-Gelyn
and Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd
. It crosses the Clwydian Range at an altitude of 360 metres (1181 feet) between the hills of Moel Famau
(to the north) and Foel Fenlli
(to the south). The Offa's Dyke Path
also crosses Bwlch Penbarras, running north-south.
The pass is a popular access point for walkers venturing to Moel Famau, and as such there are two Forestry Commission
car parks: one at the summit of the pass, and one a mile down the eastern side of the pass towards Tafarn-y-Gelyn. Access tracks climb through the forest from both car parks to Moel Famau's summit.
It is also popular with cyclists, especially the notorious climb from the west (Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd) side: the road gains 260 metres (853 feet) in altitude in just 2.25km (1.4 miles), the first half of which is at a gradient approaching 25%, followed by an even-steeper hairpin bend before the gradient finally eases slightly. As such, the pass has featured in the Cycling Weekly
magazine as a 'Killer Climb', and also features in the Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge
cyclosportive
.
In comparison, the east side of the pass has a less severe gradient, but from the summit it is dead-straight for over a mile downhill, which provides an exhilarating descent for cyclists who have struggled up the pass from Llanbedr.
The alternative name of the 'Old Bwlch' comes from the fact that this pass used to take the through-road from Mold
to Ruthin
, until it was superseded by the A494 road
, which crosses the Clwydian Range a couple of miles south of Bwlch Penbarras, at Bwlch-y-Parc.
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
in the Clwydian Range
Clwydian Range
The Clwydian Range is a series of hills and mountains in north east Wales that runs from Llandegla in the south to Prestatyn in the north, with the highest point being the popular Moel Famau...
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
, in north-east Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
The pass is on an unclassified road between Tafarn-y-Gelyn
Tafarn-y-Gelyn
Tafarn-y-Gelyn is a small village in the east of Denbighshire, Wales. Situated near Llanferres, at the foot of Moel Famau, just off the A494 road halfway between Ruthin and Mold....
and Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd
Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd
Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clywd is a small village in Denbighshire in Wales, approximately 2 miles north-east of the town of Ruthin on the main A494 road towards Chester....
. It crosses the Clwydian Range at an altitude of 360 metres (1181 feet) between the hills of Moel Famau
Moel Famau
Moel Famau is the highest hill within the Clwydian Range on the border between Denbighshire and Flintshire in North Wales. The hill, which also gives its name to the Moel Famau country park, has been classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1985...
(to the north) and Foel Fenlli
Foel Fenlli
Foel Fenlli or Moel Fenlli is a hill in Denbighshire, North Wales. With a summit at an elevation of , it is the second highest peak of the Clwydian Range....
(to the south). The Offa's Dyke Path
Offa's Dyke Path
Offa's Dyke Path is a long distance footpath along the Welsh-English border. Opened in 1971, it is one of Britain's premier National Trails and draws walkers from throughout the world...
also crosses Bwlch Penbarras, running north-south.
The pass is a popular access point for walkers venturing to Moel Famau, and as such there are two Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
car parks: one at the summit of the pass, and one a mile down the eastern side of the pass towards Tafarn-y-Gelyn. Access tracks climb through the forest from both car parks to Moel Famau's summit.
It is also popular with cyclists, especially the notorious climb from the west (Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd) side: the road gains 260 metres (853 feet) in altitude in just 2.25km (1.4 miles), the first half of which is at a gradient approaching 25%, followed by an even-steeper hairpin bend before the gradient finally eases slightly. As such, the pass has featured in the Cycling Weekly
Cycling Weekly
Cycling Weekly is a British cycling magazine. It is published by IPC Media and is devoted to the sport and past-time of cycling. It is affectionately referred to by British club cyclists as "The Comic".-History:...
magazine as a 'Killer Climb', and also features in the Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge
Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge
The Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge is a cyclosportive challenge based in North East Wales. Held for the first time in June 2008. The Independent Association of Cyclosportive Organisers placed it in the top three of UK sportives....
cyclosportive
Cyclosportive
A cyclosportive, or often simply sportive, is a short to long distance, organised, mass-participation cycling event, typically held annually....
.
In comparison, the east side of the pass has a less severe gradient, but from the summit it is dead-straight for over a mile downhill, which provides an exhilarating descent for cyclists who have struggled up the pass from Llanbedr.
The alternative name of the 'Old Bwlch' comes from the fact that this pass used to take the through-road from Mold
Mold, Flintshire
Mold is a town in Flintshire, North Wales, on the River Alyn. It is the administrative seat of Flintshire County Council, and was also the county town of Clwyd from 1974 to 1996...
to Ruthin
Ruthin
Ruthin is a community and the county town of Denbighshire in north Wales. Located around a hill in the southern part of the Vale of Clwyd - the older part of the town, the castle and Saint Peter's Square are located on top of the hill, while many newer parts of the town are on the floodplain of...
, until it was superseded by the A494 road
A494 road
The A494 is an important trunk road in Wales. The road runs between "Drome Corner" at the intersection of the A548 and A550 by RAF Sealand, Queensferry and the A470 at Dolgellau, Gwynedd.-Beginnings:...
, which crosses the Clwydian Range a couple of miles south of Bwlch Penbarras, at Bwlch-y-Parc.