A short flat section ramps up hard, then almost levels before ramping hard again. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Ride over Irton Pike and pass through Eskdale Green and Beckfoot to reach the base of the climb next to the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. 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. Best cycling climbs Europe: Top 10 hardest routes - Red Bull . Signup for our. 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. United Kingdom: Wales Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs. Picturesque mountains, hills, valleys and coastland define the landscape, and make the area a dream cycling location. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? Okay - sheep is not the official mascot. 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. Below, we detail 10 of the toughest climbs in the UK, and provide links to the Strava segments to help you plan your routes. 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. Horshoe Pass (Bwlch yr Oernant) - 317m - 7 to 20% - 6.1km #91. We have twice personally documented the Welsh Top 10 Hardest Climbs. It is in the Aran Mountains near the south east edge of Snowdonia (. This was the advice of a local man as I approached the foot of this brutal climb last year. We rank this monster as the #3 most difficult in Britain via the Fiets index - #2 in Wales! See where the steepest portions of the climb are located by gradient group. Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. This leaves us with a wealth of material describing the setting and condition of the road nearly a 100 years ago (SpeedTrackTails). When you reach the open mountaintop (after 3.4 miles), the views will take your breath away. Inspecting my bike it appears my right pedal has partially disintegrated. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline. The Shelf - 262m - 5 to 15% - 5.1km #87. The beautiful landscape of the Brecon Beacons. Baniamr Aquabah Pass, 6. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. Something went wrong, please try again later. He was in north Wales pinching some of my best KOMs so I thought he deserved some punishment. 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. Passo Stelvio, Italy. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). 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. Most local riders know its here, we gave it the nickname the Baby Zoncolan but we all avoid it like the plague. Two miles up a main road at between 4% and 6% might sound easy, but that just depends on how fast you're going. You have to take each and every opportunity to recover when it is presented, no matter how slight he says. As I force round this wicked right-hander, bend three, the pale, rugged and debris-strewn surface rises up like a wall through the trees. 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. 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 . 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. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. Thank you for signing up! 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! Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. 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. Have you tackled the toughest climb in your region? It was the first to be designated of the three national parks in Wales, in 1951. In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. winding route from Hay you veer right past the turn for Craswall and over a cattle grid.The road steepens here for the hardest part of the climb.After a few hundred yards you are greeted to a fantastic view of Hay Bluff and . 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. We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! View epic images taken along the climbing route. Riding alongside Dan with Jess tucked in behind we set off, all three of us understandably apprehensive of what lies ahead. Before the construction of the Heads of the Valleys road, this was the main road between Gilwern and Brynmawr. 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. This climb is breathtaking and we will return and do this one again - its just that unique, inspiring and exceptional. Thankfully it eases off as it reaches the higher levels, giving you the chance to recover before the summit while taking in stunning views of Hay Bluff and the English borders. 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 . I was to discover that there is absolutely no objection to cyclists riding it, although few would be mad enough. 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. 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. No part of it is easy, but it's the first of two hairpins that makes it notorious. The early parts of this mountain road rarely drop below 10% as the route winds its way up through the trees. A wide right-hand bend signifies the end of the toughest part, from where it's a lovely, if exactly, ride up to the top, with a hairpin halfway up affording a great view of the town you've just left. 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). 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. Ride two miles gaining 1,329 at 12.5% average grade. 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. Up and up, and then mercifully dipping, or is it just levelling? 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. A while later the utterly horrendous Cowlyd in north Wales found its way onto my radar and again the slate was wiped clean and a new standard was set. With a maximum gradient of 22% and an average gradient of 8.1% youre afforded great views of Aberdare the higher you climb. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britains steepest hill. When: March 20-27, 2022. The landscape is rough, its easy to see how the area gets pounded with rain and freezing temps most of the year. Stick with it, as eventually the one-in-three does turn into a relatively gentle one-in-six, allowing you to build a little momentum to drag your bike up on to the moor. And Lots of them. VIDEO: Snowboarder Climbs Tree To Evade Angry Moose. 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. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. 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. To climb from the east, begin at the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. 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. By the time you reach the clock tower in Pricetown, you'll have been climbing fairly constantly since Bryncethin. 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 . Essentially every turn is a blind curve. Please check your inbox to complete the sign-up process and ensure you receive emails and offers from us in the future. Over the years, I've sought to climb as many hills as possible. Wales is a wonderful country with great people, extraordinary scenery and EPIC bike climbs!! 5 Hardest Climbs In The UK - Pedalsure 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. My puny cycling arms are shaking like a frightened kitten. 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. There's still plenty of climbing to do along the way, but nothing as ugly as the severe slopes that head straight out of Ponty. The Rhigos is an altogether different proposition from the south, getting straighter rather than more meandering as it climbs. Babusar Pass, 4. You have to pace yourself because as the road progresses you hit a series of bends, coupled with a 30% gradient. 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. I snapped my chain not once but twice in my attempt to conquer this vicious stretch of tarmac. . When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Visit our corporate site. Far from any major towns, the starting point is near some very old homesteads. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. The 10 Hardest Bike Climbs in Wales - pjammcycling.com In a way. Britain's greatest cycling climbs - The Telegraph The dial might touch 10% at times here, but in reality this is a fairly gentle climb that winds gracefully up for Mitchel Troy, just outside Monmouth, to its summit close to the village of Trelleck through a pleasant mix of open fields and deciduous woodland. 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. Wrong. The lodge helpfully is a decent cafe stop too as it happens. I had to go and check it out. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. and climbs through roadside fields. Not only is this listed as the #1 most epic bike climb in Wales and #2 in the UK, we consider it a Top 25 Most Epic World Climb - its THAT AMAZING!! . Britain's top 10 toughest cycle climbs - the Guardian A pretty stone bridge over a stream takes you across the side of the hill, before a further hairpin spins you back towards the exposed top section. Its quite a strange effort needed to try and get the KOM, he explains. 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. Receive a selection of the most beautiful climbs we've added. Enter the first of two sets of brutal switchbacks and wrench body and bike through the 25% corners. 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. Wales has some gorgeous road bike climbs, and Bwlch y Groes is surely one of them! Finish at the car park at the top of the climb. Grid ref: NJ 252 118 (OS37) Length 3.01km Height gain 245m Approx climb time 21 mins, This is it: the Holy Grail, the toughest and wildest climb in Britain. Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. 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. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. (If you're cyclist in North, Mid or West Wales, we'll be. Height gain 286m Climb summary by PJAMMs Brad Butterfield who documented this climb in 2018 and again in 2022 (Wales is one of 27 countries Brad has cycled and documented for PJAMM in addition to 16 US states). This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. >>> Subscriptions deals forCycling Weeklymagazine. 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. One of the hardest climbs in the South West (Credit: Mark Percy) Dunkery Beacon is one of the toughest climbs in the south west of England with 321m of climbing over 3.1km. 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 five toughest cycling sportives in the world - The Telegraph It's not quite the Alps, but it's a close as it gets in South Wales. And yet once you get to the top, you'll realise you enjoyed every second. Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble and line the road as the Tour of Britain cyclist near the finish, Abergavenny. 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 climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. Once the gradient kicks in it just gets steeper and steeper, 20% past the last of the houses, then the fun really starts. 37 beautiful and challenging climbs in South Wales every - WalesOnline 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! All rights reserved. Bealach na B is the one most talked about, as one of few category 1 road climbs in the United Kingdom. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The Top 5 Steepest Cycling Climbs in the UK - Laka Where: Heading north-west out of Pontardawe. The Cowlyd, 2. We believe we have located and thoroughly documented the Top 10 Hardest (by Fiets and by Simon Warren) and 10 Most Epic (Simon Warren) and these are accessed via the Map or List above on the Wales Home page just above this Climb Area Summary. Is it the suffering? 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. The views? #3 HARDEST WELSH CLIMB -BWLCH PENBARRA TO JUBILEE TOWER, Cycling Bwlch Penbarras to Jubilee Tower, Wales. The road levels slightly but the surface is cut up and damaged. If there's a more brutal stretch of road anywhere in South Wales than Llanguicke Road, then it's definitely best avoided. 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. If you can ride this, you can ride anything. Snowdonia (Welsh: Eryri) is a mountainous region in north west Wales and a national park of 823 square miles (2,130 km2) in area. (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). Cross the cattle grid onto a long straight 7% drag that takes you into the trees. The 10 Hardest Cycling Climbs in the World Taking your bike up a steep climb next to Welsh dry stone walls and mountain streams on Heol Lan is an experience that will stay with you. 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. The hardest, most difficult and challenging cycling climbs in Wales are, in order of difficulty, 1. 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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.The term Eryri first appeared in a manuscript in the 9th-century Historia Brittonum, in an account of the downfall of the semi-legendary 5th-century king Gwrtheyrn (Vortigern).In the Middle Ages the title Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdonia (Tywysog Cymru ac Arglwydd Eryri) was used by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd; his grandfather Llywelyn Fawr used the title Prince of north Wales and Lord of Snowdonia.Before the boundaries of the national park were designated, "Snowdonia" was generally used to refer to a smaller area, namely the upland area of northern Gwynedd centred on the Snowdon massif, whereas the national park covers an area more than twice that size extending far to the south into Meirionnydd. Gospel Pass climb via Hay on Wye | 8 km | 548 m | 5% - Climbbybike This climb isn't for the faint-hearted. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. Llangynidr Mountain is very much a climb of two halves. Top 100 #86. Thanks to Strava for the route maps and climb profiles. It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog. 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. It's very steep into a small woodland, over a cattle grid and then you will see the enormity of your task. The climb goes up a ridge to a small parking lot, where we saw two other cyclists. Weve been crawling skyward for about two minutes, covering just 250m of tarmac as we round bend three. The Netherlands: A trip through the lowlands. 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. 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. The 10 hardest hill climbs in Wales can be viewed on this page via the map (zoom in to view climbs in particular areas), by Climb Cards (photo and stats) or by a detailed list of the climbs that can be arranged in metric or imperial units by difficulty, distance (longest climbs in the area), altitude gained, highest elevation (highest summit), average grade (sort the grades by varying distances), lowest start point, etc.