The base of the climb is on the first right out of the village next to a farm gate. You'll find the top, most difficult, epic, scenic, hardest, challenging, extreme, inspiring, bucket list bike climbs located in Wales. and climbs through roadside fields. To climb from the east, begin at the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. Where Leave the A66 in Appleby-in-Westmorland, head north past Brampton, and left through Dufton to arrive in Knock. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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 10 Hardest Cycling Climbs in the World They are good people out here that enjoy a way of life much slower and unfamiliar to most others I think. Continue on to Fell Foot Farm and start to climb as you turn past the buildings. One for the power climbers. I say a big thank you to Dan and Jess for joining me for the morning its then that they point out to me, if you thought it was hard on the way up, just wait until you go back down. It's not quite the Alps, but it's a close as it gets in South Wales. Wales treated us quite well on our visit in August 2018. Grid Ref: SE 720 945 (OS94) Length 1430m Height gain 179m Approx climb time 9 mins, Fleet Moss, the highest road in Yorkshire, is a beast from either direction but the greater challenge lies in the route south from Hawes. We decided to opt for an even steeper summit - Cairn O'Mount. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. 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. The steepest paved street in Pittsburghand one of the toughest climbs in the USmakes the top spot on our list. These bike climbs can be viewed via google maps or by a detailed list of the climbs that can be arranged by difficulty, distance (longest climbs in Wales), altitude gained, highest elevation . A straight line of unflinching steepness of such monotony that it regularly feels like you're going nowhere. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. The surface is rough at first and steep from the outset, but improves as you pass over a cattlegrid and approach the double hairpin. VIDEO: Snowboarder Climbs Tree To Avoid Angry Moose Mauna Kea: Cycling the Hardest Climb in the World 1. Now straightening up, the next stretch is ridiculously hard, the main problem here being just staying upright while either side of the road, sheep wait to see if yet another rider falls victim to the Chimney. Bedlinog 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. The Top 5 Steepest Cycling Climbs in the UK - Laka There is no dress rehearsal for this stretch of road, this is one take and one take only. If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. We rank this monster as #2 most difficult in UK via the Fiets index. Bath 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. Our first relentless climb is Abercynafon, found between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. 1. Still, that's the least of your worries as you pass a 25% sign. View epic images taken along the climbing route. Cairn O'Mount from the south side is 3.35km with an elevation gain of 319 meters. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). "Backcountry riding and we were on a pump track to get back inbounds. This was the advice of a local man as I approached the foot of this brutal climb last year. But the end of the steep ramp is within touching distance. This leaves us with a wealth of material describing the setting and condition of the road nearly a 100 years ago (SpeedTrackTails). Moel Arthur - 220m - 10 to 20% - 2.2km #88. 10 of the UK's Toughest Cycling Climbs - Band of Climbers Cobbled and super-steep, the infamous Constitution Hill might be less than a quarter of a mile long, but it's more reminiscent of a Belgian berg than a Welsh hill. After an age on the opening steep gradient the road banks right to plateau before a brief downhill. 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. In Wales cyclists can find 74 interesting climbs between 5 and 550 meters above sea level. Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. 1. Signup for our. Read next: This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales. Newly formed Denver Disruptors and Miami Nights NCL teams will make their debut at Tucson Bicycle Classic and tackle a full season of NCL and domestic racing, By Anne-Marije Rook 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. Now round to the right, the ever steepening, increasingly lumpy surface heads into arguably the hardest section of relentlessly steep tarmac in Britain. 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. Sign up with your email address to receive offers, news and updates. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. Ride only 600 meters but at a stunning 21.3% average grade. -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . 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! If you can ride this, you can ride anything. 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. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Pass Castell Coch on your left, feel the smooth false flat underneath your wheels and the scent of wild garlic in the air, and you'll think you're in for an easy couple of miles. In front of you is the Alpine-style Ski Centre, a simply awesome ride. This climb is breathtaking and we will return and do this one again - its just that unique, inspiring and exceptional. The bottom of the Abercynafon climb - note the 20% gradient, The open countryside of the Baran Road climb, The open part of the Bedlinog climb, after leaving the village, Looking south from the climb up the Black Mountain, The profile of the Black Mountain, from Brynamman, Looking down at the upper reaches of the Black Mountain climb from Llangadog, Looking north from the top of the Black Mountain, The profile for the Black Mountain from Llangadog, The top of the British, heading out of Abersychan, Steep inclines before leaving Aberdare on the way up Maerdy Mountain, The hairpin on the climb up Maerdy Mountain from Aberdare, Descending from the Bwlch into the Afan Valley, Near the top of the Bwlch, from the Afan Valley, The profile for the climb up the Bwlch from the Afan Valley, Looking up towards the summit of the Bwlch on the way up from Treorchy, The early part of the Caerphilly Mountain climb after leaving Tongwynlais, The steepest part of the climb up Caerphilly Mountain from Tongwynlais, The profile of the climb up Caerphilly Mountain from Caerphilly, The 20% slopes of the Wenallt climb up Caerphilly Mountain, The profile of the Wenallt climb up Caerphilly Mountain, Dan Martin and Nairo Quintana lead up Caerphilly Mountain in the 2013 Tour of Britain, The final kick on the Mountain Road ascent of Caerphilly Mountain, The profile of the climb up Caerphilly Mountain from the centre of the town, The road up Cefn Bryn stretching into the distance, The higher part of the Cimla climb out of Neath, The steep and cobbled slopes of Swansea's Constitution Hill, The long stretch up to Crai reservoir from Pen y Cae, The view down from the top hairpin on the Devil's Elbow, The top section of the Gospel Pass, after the steepest parts, Climbing up alongside dry stone walls and mountain streams on Heol Lan, Looking back down the climb out of Llangattock, Looking back down from the top of Llangynidr Mountain, Llanguicke Road: Almost unimaginably steep, The views from close to the summit of Llangynidr Mountain, The climb from Llangwm towards Shirenewton, The climb to Llanwonno, shortly after leaving the houses of Graigwen Road, The forested section close to the top of the climb to Llanwonno from Pontypridd, Onto more open terrain at the top of the Maerdy Mountain, The profile of the climb up Maerdy Mountain, The Old Black Rock climb from Gilwern to Brynmawr, The relentless gradient to the top of Penrhys, One of the steepest sections of the climb up past Pontypridd Golf Club, Looking back from the top of the Pontypridd Golf Club climb, The profile for the Pontypridd Golf Club climb, The top section of the Rhigos on the north side, The profile of the Rhigos climb from Hirwaun, The profile of the Rhigos from Treherbert, Rhiwr Road is difficult from the very start, Looking back towards Monmouth shortly after leaving Mitchel Troy on the climb to Trelleck, The profile of the climb towards Trelleck from Mitchel Troy. I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. Now on Station Road, take the third left after crossing the rail line on to Bushcombe Lane between the two 25% signs. Afon Ddu starts abruptly from the main road and youll need just one gear, the lowest you can fit on your bike. It's a testing drag, with the incline quickly kicking up to 9% and staying there or thereabouts much of the way to the top. Approaching from either direction you see the radar station's "golf ball" glowing like a beacon on the top of the ridge. If someone built it we will damn well try and ride it, even if it means falling on our ass because. Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. Holding a straight line is becoming all but impossible and the effort needed is simply unsustainable. 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. On the opposite side of the Blorenge to the more famous Tumble, Rhiwr Road makes that famous climb look like child's play. On the west coast of Scotland, Bealach na B has the most elevation gain of any road climb in the UK, rising from sea level to 626m over a stretch of 9.2km. Snowdonia National Park (Welsh: Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) was established in 1951 as the third national park in Britain, following the Peak District and the Lake District. Photograph: Paul White/Alamy, Scotch mist hanging over Bealach na Ba. How steep? 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 Travel App includes many helpful travel tools, including: an itinerary, interactive map with points of interest and all loaded routes as well as navigation to each; a tracking feature that shows participant locations; records statistic for routes completed; post photos and text in real time to blog and map; and a share feature so friends, fans and family can follow you and your adventure on our interactive map. Where Head north into the mountains from Ballater on the A939. How many have you ridden? With a maximum gradient of 22% and an average gradient of 8.1% youre afforded great views of Aberdare the higher you climb. TOP 3 MOST EPIC BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN), Cycling the incomparable Stwlan Dam, Wales. Where: Between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil. 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. The first 10km climbs 800m to a small Visitor Centre, via ever steepening slopes and long 12 - 15% ramps. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. Follow the base of the ridge until you reach Asterton then turn right past the post box and head up. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. Maximum gradient: 16%. The Most Challenging Climbs in South Wales - World Cycle Tours With this in mind, I put my eyes to work scanning the gradients ahead looking for any stretch of reprieve, no matter how short, where I can take a break from the infernal torment. At the end of this long stretch, as we reach bend four of four. We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog. The Most Challenging Climbs in South Wales, West Sicily: A Journey Through Ancient Culture & History, Wales: Cycling From The Border To The Brecon Beacons, Sweden: The Kattegattleden & Halland Coast. From this page you may navigate to the top 10 most difficult bicycling climbs in Wales. If the Tumble is the famous and successful son, the Tyla is his awkward, challenging older brother. Where: Heading north out of Cymmer in the Afan Valley. We rank this monster as the #3 most difficult in Britain via the Fiets index - #2 in Wales! Afon Ddu, 7. If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. Without being too hysterical, this climb is nothing more than a joyless straight line of pain. I had to go and check it out. Gradients of around 30% are generally only found on the inside of tight bends. Penbarra ( Bwlch Pen barras / Bwlch Penbarras / Old Bwlch) - 258m - 11 to 25% - 2.3km #89. With the wind on your back, it's one that can be tackled in the big ring on a good day. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). 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. Epic Climbs in South Wales - Cardiff By Bike It also has a very interesting motorsport history: The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. 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. . Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. From the junction with Station Road, exit the village past the first 25% sign then the road bends left at a second 25% warning as if you need reminding, it's going to be hard. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britains steepest hill. Eventually you'll bend around to the left and the battered, rugged road levels for good. Gospel Pass climb via Hay on Wye | 8 km | 548 m | 5% - Climbbybike 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. 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. Heave yourself round this evil corner and you're through the worst of it. These days, cyclists have it pretty much to themselves, save for the odd bit of local traffic. The hardest part is swinging onto the six or seven kilometre climbs and seeing riders crawling up the hill ahead of you looking like ants . I slump over the bars. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. Most local riders know its here, we gave it the nickname the Baby Zoncolan but we all avoid it like the plague. But, I like to think its a Sheep in Dragons clothing. We begin this climb in the midst of lush pastureland. I dare not look up and in a situation like this it is best not to concentrate on the finish but just live in the moment, trying to stay on two wheels, preserving forward momentum. The superlative Bwlch y Groes is coincidentally ranked #2 most epic hill climb in Wales and 3 in all the UK. . | 26 regions. Since that first book, he's added 11 more, as well Ride Britain which showcases 40 inspirational road cycling routes. I did warn him how bad it was but he was like, yeah, its just another hill. Like being first? Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). 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. Click on "Climb Page" to jump to the detail page for that particular bike climb. That said, Bwlch Penbarra is certainly a top three for US. Youre not going to forget the name of this route, nor how it makes you feel! 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 . Where Leave the A470 at Dinas Mawddwy and head north east towards Aber-Cywarch. Ultra endurance cycling events: World's 10 toughest - Red Bull (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). From the long, straight opening stretch, the summit seems scarily close in distance, while worryingly far away in altitude. 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