The 5 hardest cycling climbs in the UK (Please link to Pedalsure.com if using elsewhere) Bealach na B 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. 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. Gradients of around 30% are generally only found on the inside of tight bends. Photograph: Stephen Dorey/Alamy. of course, ride the toughest cycling climbs across the UK and Europe. The famous hairpin means you've broken the back of it, and by the time you're onto the tree-lined final straight, you'll virtually be able to taste the ice cream from the van in the layby at the summit. The climb begins as we pass a set of old farm buildings on the left. He wasn't wrong. Visit our corporate site. Penbarra ( Bwlch Pen barras / Bwlch Penbarras / Old Bwlch) - 258m - 11 to 25% - 2.3km #89. It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. 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. 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. Now climbing steeply, this slither of rough road clinging precariously to the mountainside bends hard right to deliver you into a true wilderness. Have you tackled the toughest climb in your region? If the Tumble is the famous and successful son, the Tyla is his awkward, challenging older brother. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. 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 covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline.The park is governed by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, which is made up of local government and Welsh representatives, and its main offices are at Penrhyndeudraeth. 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. Who knows. Click on "Climb Page" to jump to the detail page for that particular bike climb. Up ahead, eventually the final bends come into view, just as the gradient gets brutal on the long weather-beaten 20% slope that tests your legs to the limit. 1. 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. It then all but levels off as you pass various farm buildings, where the surface is broken and covered with the mud and debris from passing tractor tyres. Wales is a wonderful country with great people, extraordinary scenery and EPIC bike climbs!! The maximum gradient is 13%. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. A great alternative to the Cray climb (see above) - this starts from the same point, but instead of taking the main road, bears left up a narrow lane into a desolate moment top. "Take it easy now or you'll never make it." Over the course of the slog, you'll climb . Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. We begin this climb in the midst of lush pastureland. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. 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's neither steep or particularly tough, but the constant sequence of false summits can make it a heartbreaking experience for an already fatigued rider. Stay up to date with the latest developments. ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. On my first climb up Bwlch y Groes in 2018 I got a flat tire on my vehicle that was parked in front of one of these homesteads and was assisted in fixing the flat by the old-timer that lived nearby. You have to take each and every opportunity to recover when it is presented, no matter how slight he says. 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. This page provides an excellent and comprehensive summary of the top, hardest and best bicycling climbs in Wales. You'll find the top, most difficult, epic, scenic, hardest, challenging, extreme, inspiring, bucket list bike climbs located in Wales. It was the first to be designated of the three national parks in Wales, in 1951. 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. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. Maximum gradient: 16%. Let us know your thoughts about this page. Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. Simon Warren (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, UK) ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! The Brecon landscape is barren but beautiful as you climb 3.5 miles in Pen-y-Cae. But, I like to think its a Sheep in Dragons clothing. Holding a straight line is becoming all but impossible and the effort needed is simply unsustainable. Now round to the right, the ever steepening, increasingly lumpy surface heads into arguably the hardest section of relentlessly steep tarmac in Britain. Theres always a bigger fish. Thats what the ancient proverb says, and just when I thought Id ridden the steepest road in Britain, and put the matter of determining the country's toughest cycling climb to bed once and for all, up popped another hideous incline to further move the goalposts and redefine suffering. The climb goes up a ridge to a small parking lot, where we saw two other cyclists. The average gradient might "only" be 8.3%, but that's reduced by the steady stretch of false flat that precedes the summit. But as the road heads into the trees, it rears up sharply, and doesn't drop below 12% until the very top. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. 1. The British is named after the massive old ironworks that once dominated this area above Pontypool. On the opposite side of the Blorenge to the more famous Tumble, Rhiwr Road makes that famous climb look like child's play. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. The sheer length of this steep section is what sets this climb apart, there's just nowhere to recover. >>> Subscriptions deals forCycling Weeklymagazine. Favourite cycling climbs in North Wales 1 - Pen-y-Pass aka Llanberis Pass Pen Y Pass Profile. How many have you suffered on your way up? We parked at the Church in the town of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd (try saying that TWO times fast . But one thing's for sure - Wales has some great places to do it. 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! A straight line of unflinching steepness of such monotony that it regularly feels like you're going nowhere. -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . 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. I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. Finish at the car park at the top of the climb. With one and a half pedals and dented pride I manage to make it to the top to join Dan and Jess at the finish outside the water treatment works. Thank you for signing up! Populated by wandering sheep, the road steepens relentlessly, offering nowhere to hide as you click through the gears hoping to find a large enough sprocket just to keep moving. ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). The base of the climb is on the first right out of the village next to a farm gate. This is largely due to its length of 9.32km. 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 When we reached this last hairpin though his jaw hit the floor, he recalls. Based in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Simon continues to keep riding his bike uphill and guides rides, hosts events and gives talks on climbing hills on bikes! We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. 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. Plus detailed bike, kit and accessory reviews from the experts. See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the Profile Tool button. Bwlch y Groes is rich in history and strong on inspiring, if not breathtaking, scenery. Enter the first of two sets of brutal switchbacks and wrench body and bike through the 25% corners. Ranking list Turn away from the village of Knock and begin opposite a farm gate. Its so incredibly steep that even 10 seconds of going too hard early on and youll blow it, you really have to measure it just right., Dan Jones's climbing prowess and local knowledge showing on the steeper sections of Abdon Ddu. Horshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant) - 317m - 7 to 20% - 6.1km #91. Learn More ALL TRIPS But its trajectory means that the damage is done on the brutally steep lower slopes. Not here. It also has a very interesting motorsport history: The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. The distinctive remnants of an ancient quarry indicate the summit. But those who want to do climbs like Penrhys are extreme even within that bracket. Stunning and rugged, the Black Mountain (and you) are open to the elements. I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. One of the longest climbs in South Wales, the road through the Afan Valley is generally in an upward direction from the time it leaves Port Talbot, but it's after going through Cymmer that the climb begins in earnest. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. 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. 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. Receive a selection of the most beautiful climbs we've added. Or should we be asking, how accurate? We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. Scotland Bealach Na Ba Bealach na B is arguably the toughest climb in Britain. Is it the suffering? 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 Llangynidr Mountain is very much a climb of two halves. Average gradient: 6.5% Another 100 Greatest Cycling hills 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs at Amazon.co.uk Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs at Waterstones Another 100 climbs include: Longest Hill Climb Cragg Vale - The longest continuous ascent in England - 9.1 km. We decided to opt for an even steeper summit - Cairn O'Mount. TOP 3 MOST EPIC BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN), Cycling the incomparable Stwlan Dam, Wales. Babusar Pass, 4. . Heave yourself round this evil corner and you're through the worst of it. Youll see the Foel Y Gordd formation as you enter the canyon area. Bwlch y Groes (SW #91), 3. There is also now a Welsh Climbs book 100 greatest cycling climbs is a list of some of the hardest climbs in the UK from Constitution Hill to Kirkstone Pass and Ditchling Beacon. WOW - enough said! As Eryri (see above), this area has a unique place in Welsh history, tradition and culture. Just keep going, then head down the terrifying descent. 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 traditional Snowdonia thus includes the ranges of Snowdon and its satellites, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and the Moel Siabod group. Al Jaadah Pass, 3. The sense of achievement? Now on Station Road, take the third left after crossing the rail line on to Bushcombe Lane between the two 25% signs. This climb has one very steep segment near the beginning of the climb: a full half-mile at 16.5%. Since that . Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. 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. Grid Ref: NY 231 014 (OS96). The surface, just wide enough for a single car, is smooth at the edges but little more than gravel and moss in the centre. Ride 1.8 miles gaining 916 at 10% average grade. 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. Length: 64.8km Maximum gradient: 13% Vertical: 1,785m Hazards: Heat exhaustion and death America's Death Valley is not generally known as a great place to ride. Weve been crawling skyward for about two minutes, covering just 250m of tarmac as we round bend three. 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. . Whatever it is, it makes the stretch of climbing ahead look terrifying. 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. The Tumble (SW #97), 8. WOW - enough said! View epic images taken along the climbing route. Saw signs of a moose, unstrapped and started walking down the trail and saw her about 100ft up the trail. The Rhigos is an altogether different proposition from the south, getting straighter rather than more meandering as it climbs. For a while there I thought Id settled it. Where Head north into the mountains from Ballater on the A939. 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. Within a few hundred feet of the start point, a switchback of over 20% warns you of the battle to come. Banking right, the surface breaks up and 20% soon turns into 25%. From this page you may navigate to the top 10 most difficult bicycling climbs in Wales. There is still some way to go but you can click through the gears before finishing just after a gaping cattle grid adjacent to a small car park.Where Head east from the A435 through the village of Bishop's Cleeve on Finlay Way. 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. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. Its quite a strange effort needed to try and get the KOM, he explains. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. Constant variations in gradient make finding a rhythm a tough task and there are significant stretches in excess of 10%. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). Riding from Llangadog, you'll be climbing before you realise, but the real business starts after the woodland stops and the open mountainside starts. This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. This is a list of all 200 climbs feature in 100 Greatest cycling climbs and also the sequel But had this happened before I hit the deck or after? 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. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. The king of climbs and arguably the hardest road in the land, the legendary Hardknott Pass is an amazing sliver of tarmac. Named Hellfire Pass by the English but better known by its Welsh name, Bwlch-Y-Groes. . Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britain's steepest hill. The Gospel Pass is situated in Wales. Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! 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. This intimidating wall achieves virtually all of its 150m altitude gain in the space of a fearsome 1.2km, at an average gradient of nearly 13%. Stwlan Dam. The Shelf - 262m - 5 to 15% - 5.1km #87. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. 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. The full climb might be 2.4km, but that doesn't even nearly tell the full story. Electric Mountain, 5. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. The Great Orme from Llandudno via Marine Drive, The Great Orme from Llandudno via Ty Gwyn Road. Start opposite the old red telephone box, past the numerous warning signs, across the cattle grid then bend slightly left. This extraordinary climb is in the northwestern section of Wales in the Snowdonia mountain region. Dan is still chatting away but Ive fallen silent - there is no space to fit words in-between breaths. The superlative Bwlch y Groes is coincidentally ranked #2 most epic hill climb in Wales and 3 in all the UK. Rounding the corner I spot our photographer Andy ahead and see he isnt in position. I can see why. I did warn him how bad it was but he was like, yeah, its just another hill. Cape Epic. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. One for the power climbers. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. 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. What follows is a brief levelling out but you can't put off what lies ahead for long. This is simply a magnificent cycling experience. 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. And Lots of them. This climb isn't for the faint-hearted. Cwm Eigiau, 6. 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. How steep? We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. 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. First off, a classic. Bwlch Penbarra to Jubilee Tower, 4. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. All rights reserved. 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 . 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? Height gain 286m Believe the hype. 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. In front of you is the Alpine-style Ski Centre, a simply awesome ride. This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. As Dan waltzes off ahead I am beginning to falter. Staring with 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs in 2010, Simon has set out to chronicle and, of course, ride the toughest cycling climbs across the UK and Europe. Photograph: Paul White/Alamy, Scotch mist hanging over Bealach na Ba. Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. The views? 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). I was to discover that there is absolutely no objection to cyclists riding it, although few would be mad enough. In fact the Welsh flag has an imposing Dragon on it. Apagua, 5. After an age on the opening steep gradient the road banks right to plateau before a brief downhill. 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. 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. . There's a choice towards the top between turning right down towards Llangynidr or carrying on along the road to Rassau to complete the full climb. After all that has preceded it, the finale a set of four hairpin bends may be all too much, but fear not. Now very narrow and lined with snow poles, the climb is so well surfaced it resembles a two-metre-wide carpet. Where: Between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil. Only two miles, but one of those climbs that feels like it goes on forever. 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. He was in north Wales pinching some of my best KOMs so I thought he deserved some punishment. Climbs have an average length of 4.2km and 248 meters of total ascent. From there it's a steep and tough push to reach the saddle of the pass. In many ways, the quintessential Welsh mountain road - wild, remote, desolate and endearingly featureless. If you want to share something you need to create an account. The makeup of land ownership at Snowdonia is as follows (Wikipedia - Snowdonia National Park). The gradient on the inside of the bend is estimated to be somewhere in excess of 30%, and while you'd be daft to try riding over that bit, the outside isn't exactly a piece of cake either. Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. "Cycling in south Wales is a completely different story. F. J. The best advice for anyone heading uphill out of Aberdare - don't put yourself in the red too early. Want the best food, film, music, arts and culture news sent straight to your inbox? The climb is really unique. Over the years, I've sought to climb as many hills as possible. Pass through the large orange gates used to close the road in winter proof, if you hadn't twigged already, that you're heading into serious country. Afon Ddu starts abruptly from the main road and youll need just one gear, the lowest you can fit on your bike. 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. 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. 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. Arguably, though, he is best known as the author of Cycling Climbs series of books. 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. It starts steep from the village of Clydach and beats you up for a whole mile before easing just a touch. Check the forecast before you head out and be prepared for harsher weather at the top. Wales treated us quite well on our visit in August 2018. Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. "Backcountry riding and we were on a pump track to get back inbounds. It's mentally taxing rather than a top-level physical challenge - the four miles of climbing are largely gentle in gradient terms, but difficult because of the scale of the landscape. By the time the open mountain top is reached, things are much more benign. From bend two the road swings left, kicks up then eases back to rumble across a cattle grid and so far, so pretty ordinary but then, up ahead the road arcs away to the right and here it begins to look serious. Moel Arthur - 220m - 10 to 20% - 2.2km #88. Climbing for fun requires a particular type of sadism. Select a portion of the route to retrieve climb & profile data for that segment. Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. If there's a more brutal stretch of road anywhere in South Wales than Llanguicke Road, then it's definitely best avoided. 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 . Don't let the urban nature of this climb fool you - it's not easy. Between bend three and four the pitch increases to a brutal 30 per cent then backs off slightly so we can recover for an instant before it kicks up again. Between the narrow road, the rutted surface and the severity of the slope, this is one seriously tough climb. Below, we detail 10 of the toughest climbs in the UK, and provide links to the Strava segments to help you plan your routes.
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