Who knows. And Lots of them. It's not too steep to begin with but as the road bends hard left at the base of an almighty tower of rock, then the gradient increases. 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. 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. With the wind on your back, it's one that can be tackled in the big ring on a good day. This climb is ranked #3 on PJAMMs FIETS formula-based difficulty index, as well as the UK Top Hardest Climbs list provided to us by Simon Warrenbefore our second trip to document the UKs top climbs in 2022 -- thus, its The Real Deal! This is apparent in books published prior to 1951, such as the classic travelogue Wild Wales by George Borrow (1862) and The Mountains of Snowdonia by H. Carr & G. Lister (1925). They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. The average gradient of the climb is 2.9% and the maximum gradient is 13%. Now very narrow and lined with snow poles, the climb is so well surfaced it resembles a two-metre-wide carpet. Climb summary by PJAMM Cyclings Brad Butterfield - he climbed this one in 2018 and 2022. The gradient kicks up to 14% as you head through the Cimla area of Neath, before a descent the other side takes you down into the Afan Valley. The full climb might be 2.4km, but that doesn't even nearly tell the full story. Friends Dominic Millar, Graham Salisbury and James Findlater have returned home triumphant having completed 3,300 miles and climbed around 50 vertical miles in month-long endurance cycling . First built in 2nd century by the Romans, the pass is unbelievably tough from both directions. Now on Station Road, take the third left after crossing the rail line on to Bushcombe Lane between the two 25% signs. Picturesque mountains, hills, valleys and coastland define the landscape, and make the area a dream cycling location. This climb isn't for the faint-hearted. The top 10 hardest cycling climbs around the globe, all of which we have personally documented, are: 1. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Simon Warren for his books generally and for his contribution of Top 10 lists for PJAMM Cycling. Once past an axle weight sign the climb begins. ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. Photograph: Stephen Dorey/Alamy. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! This climb has a maximum gradient of 24% and an average gradient of 6.5%. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. Newly formed NCL teams to make their debut at Tucson Bicycle Classic, Rapha launches a Film Fund, US filmmakers encouraged to pitch Living life by bike stories, Improve your performance with our expert practical, nutritional and training tips, Every week get exclusive interviews, fitness tips and product reviews. Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. Pen-y-Pass is the climb out of Llanberis on the A4086 up to the Pen-y-Pass lodge where several walking routes to the summit of Snowdon start from. The hardest ascent is from the west, beginning at Fell Foot Farm, where straight away you have a 20% right-hander and that's just a taste of what lies ahead. After leaving the village, you're into open moorland but don't expect a gradient in single figures. List of - 100 Climbs Total climbing: 21,293m over 322.75km. But the gentle appearance of the hedge-lined opening can be misleading - it's here that the damage can be done if not enough is left in the tank for the slightly more forgiving upper reaches. Soon into the ride we are climbing through a canyon area with dramatic plateaus and hillside formations, particularly on the right side as we climb. I can see why. This gorgeous country road is testing for even the best cyclists, but it provides great views north towards the western Brecon Beacons. With a maximum gradient of 22% and an average gradient of 8.1% youre afforded great views of Aberdare the higher you climb. Pozza San Glisente (Dos dell'Asino), 8. The steepest parts of the climb are before you've even left the edge of the town, but it's long enough to be a real struggle if you've burnt too many matches too soon. 2. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. From there it's a steep and tough push to reach the saddle of the pass. How many have you ridden? Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, WOW - enough said! It's also available via Apple Newsstand and Readly. Approaching from either direction you see the radar station's "golf ball" glowing like a beacon on the top of the ridge. TOP 3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN). The sense of achievement? Where Leave the A66 in Appleby-in-Westmorland, head north past Brampton, and left through Dufton to arrive in Knock. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. Eventually you'll bend around to the left and the battered, rugged road levels for good. We have twice personally documented the Welsh Top 10 Hardest Climbs. Whatever it is, it makes the stretch of climbing ahead look terrifying. Increasing in steepness as it passes old industrial relics, the road winds its way up the side of a breathtaking gorge, with just a few boulders between separating you and the 10% gradient from the edge. The views? Three Cycling UK members have successfully completed an epic challenge to tackle 100 of the UK's most iconic climbs in one mammoth month-long road trip. The 5 hardest cycling climbs in the UK (Please link to Pedalsure.com if using elsewhere) Bealach na B Bealach-na-Ba 9.2km at 6.8% (Grid: 1 km) -25% -10% 0% 10% 25% View full details on The closest to an Alpine mountain climb that the UK has to offer is Bealach na B ("Pass of the Cattle" in Scottish Gaelic) on the west coast of Scotland. If someone built it we will damn well try and ride it, even if it means falling on our ass because. We asked Simon Warren to provide us with lists of both the Top 10 Hardest, and Top 10 Most Epic bike climbs in England, Wales, Scotland, and the UK. 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. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. | 26 regions. If any more proof was needed, this road takes no prisoners., it is utterly savage but thats what we love, right? Click on "Climb Page" to jump to the detail page for that particular bike climb. Finish at the car park at the top of the climb. Begin the climb across the bridge at Cock Bridge just past Corgarff Castle. He wasn't wrong. We decided to opt for an even steeper summit - Cairn O'Mount. He was in north Wales pinching some of my best KOMs so I thought he deserved some punishment. - they are the Gold Standard for cycling climbing in the UK. Factoring in a pretty torrid road surface too means reaching the top of this wall is an achievement few will ever accomplish. But amongst the legendary Welsh valleys, beaches and mountains found in the south of the country, where can you find the most challenging climbs on two wheels? An altitude gain of 620ft in just a mile gives a clue about what kind of climb this is. Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our. It's all a bit of an optical illusion though. Rounding the corner I spot our photographer Andy ahead and see he isnt in position. ALL CLIMBS PJAMM TRIPS MEMBER COMMENTS Climb List: (sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more) PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. Between the narrow road, the rutted surface and the severity of the slope, this is one seriously tough climb. Over the years, I've sought to climb as many hills as possible. Mauna Kea, 2. A long, long stretch of wickedly steep tarmac lies ahead, hugging the side of the mountain, with a slight levelling halfway but steeper still after that. By the time the open mountain top is reached, things are much more benign. You have to pace yourself because as the road progresses you hit a series of bends, coupled with a 30% gradient. From the long, straight opening stretch, the summit seems scarily close in distance, while worryingly far away in altitude. Hit the opening 12% slope too hard and you're finished - because it's followed by a sequence of bends with gradients rising above 30%. Llangynidr Mountain is very much a climb of two halves. "Cycling in south Wales is a completely different story. The Shelf - 262m - 5 to 15% - 5.1km #87. 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. A little bit about Simon Warren - We contacted Simon Warren with our request for his Top 10 lists because we consider him the Gold Standard and cyclist with the most thorough and comprehensive knowledge of hill climbing by bike in the UK. Anything you have read or been told about this amazing road is likely to be true. I asked. We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. This climb was renowned throughout the 1970s and 80s as the most challenging climb used in the Milk Race round-Britain cycle race (Wikipedia). Our preloaded PJAMM Adventure App trip pages Wales and the UK are accessed by clicking the purple PJAMM Trips button above. 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 . In Wales cyclists can find 74 interesting climbs between 5 and 550 meters above sea level. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. And don't even think about putting a foot down - you'll never get started again. 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. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. 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. We begin this climb in the midst of lush pastureland. Pass Gairnshiel Lodge and Colnabaichin. How many have you suffered on your way up? South Wales needs no introduction. Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble Abergavenny. If you want the privilege of having ridden the highest paved road in Wales, you'll need to earn it. In an attempt to move right, my front wheel lifts, there is a bang, my right foot instinctively unclips and that was it, I am gone. Round the end of Loch Kishorn and follow the signs to Applecross, up and over Bealach-na-Ba. If you can ride this, you can ride anything. Watch a gorgeous open up before your eyes as you tackle this country road that rises straight out of Pontardawe. 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. If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? It starts from the village of Porlock and climbs an average of 10% gradient towards the top of Exmoor. South Africa's Cape Epic is the only MTB stage race classed as 'hors categorie' (beyond category) by the UCI, and upon looking at the eight days of riding . It might be less than a mile, but make no mistake - this is the one of the toughest climbs in South Wales, with the gradient hovering around 15% virtually all the way until it finally shows some mercy in the last couple of hundred metres. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. Favourite cycling climbs in North Wales 1 - Pen-y-Pass aka Llanberis Pass Pen Y Pass Profile. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). Afon Ddu, 7. Ffordd Penllech in Harlech is the UK's steepest road (Pic: Stephen Elwyn Roddick, via Wiki Commons) Jenkin Road was the final climb of stage two of this year's Tour de France (Pic: Marc, via. 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. A headwind, on the other hand, and it can be a real grind. 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. F. J. Only two miles, but one of those climbs that feels like it goes on forever. Ride two miles gaining 1,329 at 12.5% average grade. The Tour of Britain tackled the climb in 2010, when Swiss Michael Albasini attacked up it to take a solo win in Swansea. I have purchased and relied heavily on several of these books in deciding what climbs to include on the PJAMM Website for the UK. It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. Bwlch Penbarras from Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd, The Road to Hell from Denbigh via Nantglyn, Llanberis Pass / Pen-y-Pass from Nant Peris. Let us know what you thought of this climb. In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. As Eryri (see above), this area has a unique place in Welsh history, tradition and culture. The hardest, most difficult and challenging cycling climbs in Wales are, in order of difficulty, 1. That said, Bwlch Penbarra is certainly a top three for US. and climbs through roadside fields. Where Leave the A684 that runs through Hawes and head south on Gayle Lane to Gayle. 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. We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. Get the arrow-straight, slightly soul-destroying drag past Tower Colliery out the way and enjoy the way this climb gently curves its way across the front of the mountain. Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. The climb begins as we pass a set of old farm buildings on the left. Start opposite the old red telephone box, past the numerous warning signs, across the cattle grid then bend slightly left. Banking right, the surface breaks up and 20% soon turns into 25%. 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. Things start off fairly easily, but get harder and harder and harder again by the time you near the summit of Cefn Eglwysllan, with a lovely 20% ramp greeting you to the very top. Riding alongside Dan with Jess tucked in behind we set off, all three of us understandably apprehensive of what lies ahead. The first time I went up was on a mountain bike and even that proved almost impossible, however, once I got to the top I knew I had to return on a road bike to see how fast I could ride it, he recalls. 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. In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. Passo Stelvio, Italy. If you were measuring the steepest, hardest, highest or longest climbs in South Wales, this wouldn't be anywhere near it. When we reached this last hairpin though his jaw hit the floor, he recalls. . Our first relentless climb is Abercynafon, found between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . The Tyla rounds the Blorenge from Gilwern, Heading into the trees on the Wentwood Ridge climb just where it starts to get really steep. The road to get to this climb is brutally narrow with thick shrubs blocking the views ahead. Or should we be asking, how accurate? I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. Riding from Llangadog, you'll be climbing before you realise, but the real business starts after the woodland stops and the open mountainside starts. You have to take each and every opportunity to recover when it is presented, no matter how slight he says. In fact the Welsh flag has an imposing Dragon on it. If there's a more brutal stretch of road anywhere in South Wales than Llanguicke Road, then it's definitely best avoided. The climb is really unique. . 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. Al Jaadah Pass, 3. Zig-zag past cascading waterfalls, amidst the brief protection of rocky outcrops to exit this tangle of tarmac and round one final left hand to finish. Most local riders know its here, we gave it the nickname the Baby Zoncolan but we all avoid it like the plague. This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. The Gospel Pass is 548 high. The Brecon landscape is barren but beautiful as you climb 3.5 miles in Pen-y-Cae. before our second trip to document the UKs top climbs in 2022 -- thus, its The Real Deal! ) A few weeks later I arrive with our photographer Andy, Dan and his wife Jess - a hill climb champion in her own right - to share the experience with them and get the local low down on this insane 700 metres of vertical concrete. Thank you for signing up! You will, however, be able to reacquaint your backside with the saddle for the final push to summit on the approach to the gliding club.Where To reach the base turn north away from the A489 at Plowden. This route is an area of desolate but beautiful countryside. The road levels slightly but the. And yet once you get to the top, you'll realise you enjoyed every second. 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. A flat lakeside hairpin two thirds of the way up should give you the slingshot needed for the last push, with the road cutting through rock on its final approach to the summit. Signup for our. . Not here. They are good people out here that enjoy a way of life much slower and unfamiliar to most others I think. The landscape is rough, its easy to see how the area gets pounded with rain and freezing temps most of the year. It's all fairly steady going as the climb starts just off the A449. 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. Still, that's the least of your worries as you pass a 25% sign. 1. 1. Even though its very short you have to go so slowly at first. How many have you ridden? Get info and context about new features. Horshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant) - 317m - 7 to 20% - 6.1km #91. We have had the great fortune of documenting the most epic and hardest climbs in Wales in both 2018 and 2022. Grid Ref: NY 231 014 (OS96). 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. United Kingdom: Wales Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs. This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. Rising 859ft over 2.7 miles actually makes for a fairly manageable gradient most of the way up, and there's more road on which to gain altitude than it might look initially. This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales, Huge vintage clothing warehouse where you can get designer brands at a fraction of the price, The Thrift operates over a huge 12,000 sq ft and stocks big brands as well as a value section, Superdrug anti-aging cream called 'botox in a tub' by shoppers, Optimum Collagen Day cream is priced at 14.99. How steep? Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. Is it the suffering? One for the power climbers. I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. For a while there I thought Id settled it. Sign up with your email address to receive offers, news and updates. In many ways, the quintessential Welsh mountain road - wild, remote, desolate and endearingly featureless. Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. Straining to reach each successive crest burns more matches then to further compound the difficulty the act of zig zagging, (the practice where the cyclist tries to marginally reduce the severity of the slope by riding left to right) is rendered impossible by the unbroken line of slippery debris that runs along the roads centre. This challenging route is found between between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil and is a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). 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. The Road to Hell - 353m - 3 to 20% - 11km #90. Learn More ALL TRIPS Wales has some gorgeous road bike climbs, and Bwlch y Groes is surely one of them! A mix of all three? This leaves us with a wealth of material describing the setting and condition of the road nearly a 100 years ago (SpeedTrackTails). Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble and line the road as the Tour of Britain cyclist near the finish, Abergavenny. This climb has the steepest 500 meter segment in all the UK. Two miles up a main road at between 4% and 6% might sound easy, but that just depends on how fast you're going. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britain's steepest hill. Approaching 20%, you crawl through harsh, boulder-littered scenery, a massive slog to the briefest of levels where the classification of the road changes public cars are allowed no further. Where Head north into the mountains from Ballater on the A939. TOP 3 MOST EPIC BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN), Cycling the incomparable Stwlan Dam, Wales. ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! Best time to cycle J F M A M J J A S O N D Ranking list Wales Difficulty points Gradient Length Total ascent 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. It's a very tough mile though, averaging somewhere around 9% as it cuts its way up the side of Maerdy Mountain. Do not attempt to ride here in unfavourable conditions. 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. Follow the base of the ridge until you reach Asterton then turn right past the post box and head up. This featureoriginally appeared in the September 23 print edition of Cycling Weekly magazine,on sale in newsagents and supermarkets, priced 3.25. Grid ref: SO 403 918 (OS 137)Length 0.96kmHeight gain 163mApprox climb time 7 mins, You're spoilt for choice when it comes to climbing Cleeve Hill. The first 10km climbs 800m to a small Visitor Centre, via ever steepening slopes and long 12 - 15% ramps. 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. Babusar Pass, 4. Afon Ddu starts abruptly from the main road and youll need just one gear, the lowest you can fit on your bike. Im now trapped on a two foot wide strip of rippled 30 per cent concrete fighting for survival. A short flat section ramps up hard, then almost levels before ramping hard again. Something went wrong, please try again later. Wales treated us quite well on our visit in August 2018. Wrong. Stunning and rugged, the Black Mountain (and you) are open to the elements. Thanks to Strava for the route maps and climb profiles. (If you're cyclist in North, Mid or West Wales, we'll be preparing similar articles for your area - and there's a form at the bottom to send your suggestions). 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.