Head to head
Wales has two roads that television made famous. Which is better today?
Our pick is the Black Mountain Pass.
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Verdicts weigh road quality, scenery, traffic and how likely you are to actually enjoy the drive on the day. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 15 May 2026
The numbers
| Measure | Black Mountain Pass | Evo Triangle, A543 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers Atlas rating | 9.4 | 8.9 |
| Driving score | 9.5 / 10 | 9.4 / 10 |
| Scenery score | 9.3 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 |
| Length | 19 km | 24 km |
| Where | Brecon Beacons, Wales | Denbigh Moors, Wales |
| Season | Frequently closed by snow, one of Wales's first roads to shut | Exposed moorland stretch can ice in winter |
Verdict
The A4069 still delivers, with clean sightlines, a good surface and a genuinely spectacular set of hairpins on the southern side.
The Evo Triangle is faster and more open, but it is now heavily policed and averages speed cameras in places. Treat it accordingly.
The roads
Brecon Beacons, Wales
A ribbon of hairpins climbing a bare Welsh moorland made famous by Top Gear.
11.8 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10 · 36 min
Denbigh Moors, Wales
One leg of the legendary Evo Triangle, a flowing high speed moorland test road.
14.9 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · 45 min
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