The 10 Hardest Cycling Climbs in the World As of 2022, Simon Warren has published 12 cycling climbing books - 10 focusing on the UK, one on TdF and the other on the Giro. Once through, you can pick up some speed before the final steep turns and your new-found momentum will help carry you through these and over the top. Horshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant) - 317m - 7 to 20% - 6.1km #91. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We begin this climb in the midst of lush pastureland. A headwind, on the other hand, and it can be a real grind. Dan is his normal chatty self as we hit the first ramp, our wheels getting their first taste of the ribbed and abrasive concrete surface that would do its best to hinder our progress the entire way up. Llano de las Animas, 7. Approaching from either direction you see the radar station's "golf ball" glowing like a beacon on the top of the ridge. This climb was renowned throughout the 1970s and 80s as the most challenging climb used in the Milk Race round-Britain cycle race (, The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. Whether it's the pine trees, the hairpin close to the top, or the meadows at the summit, but there always seems something slightly alpine about this little climb at the top of the Rhondda - even though it's less than a mile long. The road to get to this climb is brutally narrow with thick shrubs blocking the views ahead. The average gradient might "only" be 8.3%, but that's reduced by the steady stretch of false flat that precedes the summit. Bealach na B is the one most talked about, as one of few category 1 road climbs in the United Kingdom. The bike climbs we have documented are in the slideshow above. After around 50 metres the second bend arrives where on the corner there is a slight leveling, Dan immediately heads to the shallower part of the corner here to catch a few seconds respite. Al Jaadah Pass, 3. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. Where From the bottom left corner of Rosedale Abbey leave the main road and turn south east on to Gill Lane, pass the giant warning sign, and head up. Then you hit the switchbacks, where a better surface is cold comfort as you grapple with gravity's pull and attempt to hold your momentum through these vicious bends. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! 5 Hardest Climbs In The UK - pedalsure.com When I first tackled Hardknott Pass in the Lake District I assumed nothing could ever beat that, but then a few years after I discovered the road up to Abdon Burf in the Shropshire Hills and my perception of torture was changed. ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. . There, in front of you, painted on to the side of the mountain and looking like a giant flight of stairs, lies the rest of the climb. It's short, steep and fairly hostile all the way to the final left corner that brings you out Caerphilly Mountain's famous snack bar. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Reaching new heights - tackling 100 toughest cycling climbs On our climb, we encountered a car and had to back up nearly a kilometer to find a place where they could pass. Second hardest bike climb in the UK (#1 Wales) - PJAMM Cycling Height gain 286m As Dan waltzes off ahead I am beginning to falter. Early motoring magazines often mention that editorial staff hand car manufacturers had been testing on the Bwlch y Groes owing to its status of a continual and sever gradient to one of the highest moorland crossings by a road in the UK. North Wales Cycling Climbs amongst the top 100 - VC Melyd Pass the clock tower, and things step up a notch, with a straight 16% ramp taking you (via a flatter terrace section) onto the climb proper. Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. Begin the climb across the bridge at Cock Bridge just past Corgarff Castle. To climb from the east, begin at the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. Photos clockwise from top left: Bwlch y Groes (Wales #1, UK #2 hardest); Stwlan Dam (Wales #1, UK #2 most epic); Entering Wales in Llanymynech; Cardiff Castle; Welsh flag flying over Cardiff Castle (center). While our Fiets list overlaps Simons for some climbs, the 2 lists do give you a nice sense of the objective and subjective Top 10 hardest Welsh climbs. Bwlch y Groes is rich in history and strong on inspiring, if not breathtaking, scenery. From there, there's the option of a fast descent into Defynnog, but a much better alternative is to continue in a straight line uphill and onto the ancient Heol Senni. This climb isn't for the faint-hearted. The average gradient of the climb is 2.9% and the maximum gradient is 13%. . The first 200-yard segment averages 15%, so be sure to warm up. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. Now round to the right, the ever steepening, increasingly lumpy surface heads into arguably the hardest section of relentlessly steep tarmac in Britain. Therefore, after Bealach na Ba (UK #1 Most Epic and #4 hardest), Bwlch y Groes might be the second best bike climb in all the land. Since that . I can now hear Jess approaching from behind, her 34 x 32 slightly more suited to the venue than my 34 x 28, judging by her colourful language I assume I am in her way. Grid ref: NY 710 321 (OS 91)Length 7.45kmHeight gain 638mApprox climb time 40 mins, Few climbs have such a fearsome reputation as Rosedale Chimney, and rightly so. It also has a very interesting motorsport history: The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. Something went wrong, please try again later. Stay up to date with the latest developments. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. Visit our corporate site. It's all a bit of an optical illusion though. That said, Bwlch Penbarra is certainly a top three for US. The scene of a brilliant double ascent during the 2013 Tour of Britain, this iconic route out of Caerphilly also features as the final climb in the Velothon Wales loop of South Wales. WOW - enough said! My bike is creaking. This gorgeous country road is testing for even the best cyclists, but it provides great views north towards the western Brecon Beacons. The northern ascent of the Black has a very different character to its southern counterpart. In 2021 we contacted Simon Warren requesting his picks for the Top 10 Most Epic and Top 10 Hardest bike climbs in (1) Wales, (2) England, (3) Scotland, and (4) the UK. The scenery gets more barren as you climb, dispensing with the trees and dry stone walls of the lower stretches and opening out into a classic Brecon Beacons landscape at the summit. In Wales cyclists can find 74 interesting climbs between 5 and 550 meters above sea level. This route is an area of desolate but beautiful countryside. Wales treated us quite well on our visit in August 2018. . Gradients of around 30% are generally only found on the inside of tight bends. The landscape is rough, its easy to see how the area gets pounded with rain and freezing temps most of the year. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The route is found in Abersychan, Torfaen, where its lower slopes begin on the A4043 and then after a mile turn left and youll begin to climb through a breathtaking gorge. Leave the head of Loch Kishorn, turn left and you're on your way, soon passing the large sign warning of the various dangers that lie ahead. Venture into Scotland or the North of England, and you'll also find some climbs to rival many an Alpine climb too, with England's Mont Ventoux - Great Dun Fell being a particular highlight. We parked at the Church in the town of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd (try saying that TWO times fast . How steep? Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. Photograph: Paul White/Alamy, Scotch mist hanging over Bealach na Ba. In fact, there is a sign at the start warning that the road is Unsuitable for motor vehicles. Although I assume this is mostly to keep tourists away as we intersected multiple residents traveling the road in their cars. Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. But as the road heads into the trees, it rears up sharply, and doesn't drop below 12% until the very top. Believe the hype. The early parts of this mountain road rarely drop below 10% as the route winds its way up through the trees. The traditional Snowdonia thus includes the ranges of Snowdon and its satellites, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and the Moel Siabod group. If any more proof was needed, this road takes no prisoners., it is utterly savage but thats what we love, right? But what is the attraction? Afon Ddu, 7. It's also available via Apple Newsstand and Readly. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. United Kingdom: England's Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs, United Kingdom: Hardest and Epic Bike Climbs, United Kingdom: Scotland's Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs. View epic images taken along the climbing route. It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. Epic Climbs in South Wales - Cardiff By Bike Climbs have an average length of 4.2km and 248 meters of total ascent. Grid ref: SD 862 843 (OS98)Length 5.34km Height gain 323m Approx climb time 22 mins, On the eastern edge of the Long Mynd lies the infamous Asterton Bank, also known by many other names that I could not print here. Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Favourite cycling climbs in North Wales 1 - Pen-y-Pass aka Llanberis Pass Pen Y Pass Profile. Scroll down the page to access the full Top 10 Welsh Bike Climbs on the Map below (or switch to "Table" for a detailed list). But the end of the steep ramp is within touching distance. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Photograph: John Morrison/Alamy, Warning sign near the Rosedale Chimney in North Yorkshire Photograph: Mark Sunderland/Alamy, Remote pass Bwlch y Groes, Wales Photograph: Keith Morris/Alamy, The road from Cockbridge to Tomintoul, Aberdeenshire. The Harlech Hell Climb event was held on the excruciating climb on Sunday (August 11), with riders tackling the 330 metre climb, which averages 17 per cent and reaches a maximum gradient of 37.45 . Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. Gospel Pass climb via Hay on Wye | 8 km | 548 m | 5% - Climbbybike Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). Cwm Eigiau, 6. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). The climb is really unique. If someone built it we will damn well try and ride it, even if it means falling on our ass because. Cairn O'Mount from the south side is 3.35km with an elevation gain of 319 meters. You have to pace yourself because as the road progresses you hit a series of bends, coupled with a 30% gradient. TOP 3 MOST EPIC BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN), Cycling the incomparable Stwlan Dam, Wales. First off, a classic. Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). The five toughest cycling sportives in the world - The Telegraph In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. Ride only 600 meters but at a stunning 21.3% average grade. Simon Warren lists this as the third hardest climb in Wales, and sixth toughest in all the UK. danevanscycling Ffordd Pen Llech Check the forecast before you head out and be prepared for harsher weather at the top. The lower half is a meander through pastoral scenery, before suddenly opening out onto exposed mountain top with stunning views of the peaks around Abergavenny. The 10 Hardest Bike Climbs in Wales - pjammcycling.com The top 10 hardest cycling climbs around the globe, all of which we have personally documented, are: 1. Having featured as a summit finish for the Welsh Nationals and the Tour of Britain, as well as being the signature climb for Velothon Wales, the Tumble is easily one of the most famous climbs in Wales. We rank this monster as #2 most difficult in UK via the Fiets index. What comes next will take your breath away. Llangynidr Mountain is very much a climb of two halves. I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The less celebrated of two routes up Llangynidr Mountain, the climb from Llangattock is no less difficult. Through Gayle, the road flat, hugging the river, soon rises sharply for a short 17% lung-opener. This climb truly is beauty and the beast. Now on Station Road, take the third left after crossing the rail line on to Bushcombe Lane between the two 25% signs. In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. Heres how it works. If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. If youve ever been to Manhattan and walked the streets straining your neck upwards to admire the skyscrapers, well, for a moment looking up this road it feels like that. It is in the Aran Mountains near the south east edge of Snowdonia (. The second set of switchbacks are steeper still, and these now 30% slopes will have you straining every sinew as your front wheel desperately searches for a kinder gradient and weaves all over the road fighting to stay upright. Afon Ddu starts abruptly from the main road and youll need just one gear, the lowest you can fit on your bike. VIDEO: Snowboarder Climbs Tree To Evade Angry Moose. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britain's steepest hill. If you survive the absolute wall out of Pontypridd along Graigwen Road, you'll be treated to one of the most beautiful routes in this part of South Wales as the road follows a ridge high above Taff Valley to the historic church of Llanwonno. The climb up here out of Ferndale is pretty tasty too. The end of the dry stone wall alongside you signifies the top of the climb, from where there are beautiful views north towards the western Brecon Beacons. Grid Ref: SH 913 232 (OS125)Length 3.56km Height gain 385m Approx climb time 23 mins, A true monster of a climb through the heart of the Cairngorms, the road up to the Lecht Ski Centre is a simply stunning ride. Abercynafon Our first relentless climb is Abercynafon, found between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. Bath before our second trip to document the UKs top climbs in 2022 -- thus, its The Real Deal! ) Region: South West Length: 3.1km Average gradient: 10% Elevation: 321m Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. How many have you ridden? Ahead lies 30 metres that has every single ounce of muscle straining like a weight lifter attempting to raise four times their body weight above their heads. You are eventually rewarded with a blissful flat stretch, but it's not over yet; round a left-hand bend is yet more 20% gradient, a final zig-zag and a few last kicks take you to what feels like the top of the world. The steepest paved street in Pittsburghand one of the toughest climbs in the USmakes the top spot on our list. The hardest, most difficult and challenging cycling climbs in Wales are, in order of difficulty, 1. Top 100 #86. Through a second gate it's easy for a while then bending right once again it's leg-breakingly tough to the finish at the station, where, looking around you, you might as well be on top of the world. The British is named after the massive old ironworks that once dominated this area above Pontypool. Simon has been riding for over 30 years and has a long connection with Cycling Weekly, he was once a designer on the magazine and has been a regular contributor for many years. The sheer length of this steep section is what sets this climb apart, there's just nowhere to recover. The majority of Scotland's roads stick to valleys as there's no need to cross the mountains but here they link the village of Applecross with the rest of the world by taking the route over the top of Bealach-na-Ba. A commonly held belief is that the name is derived from eryr ("eagle"), and thus means 'the abode/land of eagles',but recent evidence is that it means quite simply Highlands, and is related to the Latin oriri (to rise) as leading Welsh scholar Sir Ifor Williams proved. How many have you ridden? Luckily for us the rain was holding on our expedition. If you want to share something you need to create an account. You'll probably wish you were enjoying a sedate stroll along the fairways of the adjacent golf club by the time you reach the lung-crushing gradients at the top of this punchy climb out of Pontypridd. Stwlan Dam. Over the years, I've sought to climb as many hills as possible. Almost imperceptibly, the gradient rises up until you'll suddenly feel like you're pedaling through treacle - probably just before the turn-off for Fforest Fawr. This mini monster was brought to my attention by hill climb master and double National Champion Dan Evans after I noticed a string of expletives in his Strava feed. This is one of the toughest bits of road anywhere in the UK and, through the next left-hand bend, it touches 30% at the apex. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Apart from the few cars that travel this route, you're more likely to have wary, onlooking deer for company, as they track your slow progress up the mountain. The surface, just wide enough for a single car, is smooth at the edges but little more than gravel and moss in the centre. Picturesque mountains, hills, valleys and coastland define the landscape, and make the area a dream cycling location.