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 . 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.