**The Enigmatic A470: The Road That Traverses the Heart of Wales**
One extraordinary A road in the United Kingdom stands apart from the rest — the A470, a spectacular ribbon of tarmac that connects the southern and northern shores of Wales. While it’s famous for its scenic vistas and crucial role linking Welsh communities, many remain uncertain about its elusive starting point in the south, with some confusion even among locals and regular travellers.
Spanning an impressive 186 miles, the A470 marks Wales’ longest road, charting a north-south route that displays a remarkable cross-section of the country’s landscapes and history. The journey begins at Cardiff Bay’s Mermaid Quay, by the striking Wales Millennium Centre, before winding north towards the historic seaside resort of Llandudno in the north. However, ask a host of residents where the road truly begins, and you’re likely to hear a variety of answers.
Despite its urban beginnings, often associated with the congested rush hours just to the north of Cardiff, the A470 rapidly sheds its cityscape. Once past Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil — two towns that played pivotal roles in the industrial revolution through coal and iron production — the route ascends into the breathtaking Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons) National Park. Here, motorists are treated to dramatic views of Pen y Fan, South Wales’ highest peak, with deep valleys stretching away from the tarmac.
Leaving the national park behind, the A470 meanders through serene market towns and into the wild heart of Mid Wales. One notable highlight is the passage north of Brecon, where the road skirts the famed Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal and breathes solitude into the journey. The sparsely populated Elan Valley reveals shimmering reservoirs and lush meadows, offering visitors a Welsh counterpart to the more storied Lake District of England.
Travellers with an appetite for local cuisine won’t be disappointed. Not far from Brecon, the renowned Felin Fach Griffin offers hearty Welsh fare and a restful place to stay, earning rave reviews for both its log fire-warmed dining room and tranquil setting. Further along, towns like Rhayader and Builth Wells provide more chances to savour authentic Welsh hospitality. The latter even hosts the Royal Welsh Show each summer, a notable fixture in the country’s agricultural calendar.
Progressing north, the landscape continues its dramatic transformation. The road enters into the ancient woodland of Coed y Brenin, literally ‘Forest of Kings’, before reaching the Eryri National Park — known to many by its English name, Snowdonia. The proximity to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales’ and England’s highest summit, marks a jewel in the A470’s crown. Here, the slate mining legacy of Blaenau Ffestiniog is unmistakable, with heaps of grey stone testifying to a once-booming industry.
The journey also brings you to Betws-y-Coed, an enchanting village nestled amid tumbling streams, majestic waterfalls like Swallow Falls, and dense forest. Nearby, the charming village of Beddgelert beckons with its storied history and picturesque cottages, offering another compelling spot to pause and reflect.
As the northern section of the A470 unfurls, the road nears Conwy, famed for its imposing medieval castle perched above the estuary, a highlight in King Edward I’s ambitious ‘Ring of Steel’. The walled town itself exudes historic charm, with a lively selection of shops, cafés and inns making it a popular stop for road-trippers approaching journey’s end.
Ultimately, the A470 concludes its dramatic odyssey at Llandudno, the iconic Victorian seaside town that has attracted British holidaymakers for generations. Llandudno’s sweeping promenade, backed by elegant hotels facing the Irish Sea, stands in sharp contrast to the bustling hubbub of Cardiff Bay nearly two hundred miles to the south.
For those considering traversing the entire length of the A470, timing is crucial. Those unhurried by deadlines will be rewarded with a leisurely, eye-opening tour of Wales’s diverse scenery and culture — though a word to the wise: patience may be required if caught behind farm vehicles in rural sections or commuter congestion near Cardiff.
Whether you stop for a hearty meal, a lakeside walk, or simply to take in the mountainous scenery, the A470 offers a singular way to experience the full breadth of Wales. Its starting point may puzzle some, but for many, it’s the remarkable journey that counts — an ever-changing highway that breathes life into the valleys, woodlands, and shores of this unique nation.