Let us know what you thought of this climb. The first 200-yard segment averages 15%, so be sure to warm up. The climb up here out of Ferndale is pretty tasty too. . Rounding the corner I spot our photographer Andy ahead and see he isnt in position. Get through this, the first of many brutal stretches, and things back off for a while before ramping up to the first of two gates. This route is an area of desolate but beautiful countryside. 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. Rhiwr Road (SW #197), and 10. The Tumble (SW #97), 8. It never relents, never lets up until you reach the bend in the shadow of a rocky outcrop, you've still got a fair bit of climbing to reach the top, but it's not as hard now. Scroll down the page to access the full Top 10 Welsh Bike Climbs on the Map below (or switch to "Table" for a detailed list). Passing farm buildings and trees, the road veers left, then a very sharp 25% right a taste of what's to come before easing as the last of the trees disappear beneath you. Scanuppia Its from here that this road separates itself from its peers, and its from here that everyone will be pushed to their limits. I snapped my chain not once but twice in my attempt to conquer this vicious stretch of tarmac. . Anything you have read or been told about this amazing road is likely to be true. Simon Warren lists this as the third hardest climb in Wales, and sixth toughest in all the UK. Where: Heading north-west out of Pontardawe. "Backcountry riding and we were on a pump track to get back inbounds. If any more proof was needed, this road takes no prisoners., it is utterly savage but thats what we love, right? This extraordinary climb is in the northwestern section of Wales in the Snowdonia mountain region. (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). Believe the hype. 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!! Passo Stelvio, Italy. Bedlinog It's a long drag, but not particularly taxing in the most part, rising through the trees with the rumbling of vehicles on the adjacent main road in the distance. The faint summit can be seen straight in front for a large part of the climb, making it easy to set an impatient tempo that'll come back to bite you later on. 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%. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (, Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. Receive a selection of the most beautiful climbs we've added. 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. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. Repeatedly, you'll think you're through the worst - only to be hit again with the next step of the staircase. Far from any major towns, the starting point is near some very old homesteads. If you want to share something you need to create an account. I slump over the bars. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. | 26 regions. The distinctive remnants of an ancient quarry indicate the summit. Dan is his normal chatty self as we hit the first ramp, our wheels getting their first taste of the ribbed and abrasive concrete surface that would do its best to hinder our progress the entire way up. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Signup for our. See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the Profile Tool button. for this page: 100 Greatest Climbs - A Road Cyclists Guide To Britains Hills; Cycling Climbs of Wales; see also https://www.100climbs.co.uk/books). When you reach the open mountaintop (after 3.4 miles), the views will take your breath away. Have you tackled the toughest climb in your region? I have purchased and relied heavily on several of these books in deciding what climbs to include on the PJAMM Website for the UK. 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. Without being too hysterical, this climb is nothing more than a joyless straight line of pain. Like being first? Heading up the Blorenge from the other side, the climb gains slightly less altitude in slightly greater distance. The superlative Bwlch y Groes is coincidentally ranked #2 most epic hill climb in Wales and 3 in all the UK. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Snowdonia (Welsh: Eryri) is a mountainous region in north west Wales and a national park of 823 square miles (2,130 km2) in area. After all that has preceded it, the finale a set of four hairpin bends may be all too much, but fear not. Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). Luckily for us the rain was holding on our expedition. A straight line of unflinching steepness of such monotony that it regularly feels like you're going nowhere. 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. Favourite cycling climbs in North Wales 1 - Pen-y-Pass aka Llanberis Pass Pen Y Pass Profile. The less celebrated of two routes up Llangynidr Mountain, the climb from Llangattock is no less difficult. 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. . She got all aggressive so we turned around and chilled for 20, walked back up the trail and she was still there . This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. 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. But one thing's for sure - Wales has some great places to do it. Climbing for fun requires a particular type of sadism. Whatever it is, it makes the stretch of climbing ahead look terrifying. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline. . Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! Climbs have an average length of 4.2km and 248 meters of total ascent. Learn More ALL TRIPS Sign up with your email address to receive offers, news and updates. Ranking list The sense of achievement? Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Something went wrong, please try again later. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Pozza San Glisente (Dos dell'Asino), 8. It is in the Aran Mountains near the south east edge of Snowdonia (The Guardian - Britains top 10 toughest cycle climbs). I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. 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. 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 . 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. Bwlch Penbarra to Jubilee Tower, 4. Here there is another leveling, a plateau of sorts before things turn from nasty to insane. The Hardest Climbs - The Steepest Roads in the World Bikes & Gear Health & Nutrition Training Repair Exclusives Subscribe Sign In 1 Five Black Women Who Rode From NYC to DCin 1928 2 18 Best. 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. It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. This leaves us with a wealth of material describing the setting and condition of the road nearly a 100 years ago (, Named Hellfire Pass by the English but better known by its Welsh name, Bwlch-Y-Groes. We parked at the Church in the town of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd (try saying that TWO times fast . Start opposite the old red telephone box, past the numerous warning signs, across the cattle grid then bend slightly left. Photograph: Paul White/Alamy, Scotch mist hanging over Bealach na Ba. 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. Click on "Climb Page" to jump to the detail page for that particular bike climb. 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 . 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. How steep? The first 10km climbs 800m to a small Visitor Centre, via ever steepening slopes and long 12 - 15% ramps. 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. 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. After a few slight rises the road surface improves dramatically and stretches far into the distance, taking the shortest route over the featureless ridge. Arguably, though, he is best known as the author of Cycling Climbs series of books. Ride two miles gaining 1,055 at 10.3% average grade. Or should we be asking, how accurate? 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. Turn left after around a mile though, and everything changes. With the wind on your back, it's one that can be tackled in the big ring on a good day. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. Afon Ddu, 7. Okay - sheep is not the official mascot. 2. Please check your inbox to complete the sign-up process and ensure you receive emails and offers from us in the future. Once past an axle weight sign the climb begins. It is really tough to crown just one climb in Wales as a favorite after riding so many over our few weeks of riding in June 2022. They are good people out here that enjoy a way of life much slower and unfamiliar to most others I think. 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. Follow the base of the ridge until you reach Asterton then turn right past the post box and head up. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. 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. This is simply a magnificent cycling experience. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. A mix of all three? Mauna Kea, 2. 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 also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. TOP 3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN). 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. In front of you is the Alpine-style Ski Centre, a simply awesome ride. This challenging route is found between between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil and is a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Enter the first of two sets of brutal switchbacks and wrench body and bike through the 25% corners. And yet once you get to the top, you'll realise you enjoyed every second. 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 Road to Hell - 353m - 3 to 20% - 11km #90. Where Leaving the A593 just south of Skelwith Bridge head west to Little Langdale. 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. You have to take each and every opportunity to recover when it is presented, no matter how slight he says. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. When we reached this last hairpin though his jaw hit the floor, he recalls. Once the gradient kicks in it just gets steeper and steeper, 20% past the last of the houses, then the fun really starts. We relied heavily on Simon Warrens Top UK Climbs Series in ranking and documenting UK bike climbs (https://www.100climbs.co.uk/books) - they are the Gold Standard for cycling climbing in the UK. 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). We rank this monster as #2 most difficult in UK via the Fiets index. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. It was the first to be designated of the three national parks in Wales, in 1951. Simon has been riding for over 30 years and has a long connection with Cycling Weekly, he was once a designer on the magazine and has been a regular contributor for many years. If you were measuring the steepest, hardest, highest or longest climbs in South Wales, this wouldn't be anywhere near it. 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. -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . All rights reserved. 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: NY 231 014 (OS96). With a maximum gradient of 22% and an average gradient of 8.1% youre afforded great views of Aberdare the higher you climb. How many have you ridden? Where Leave the A470 at Dinas Mawddwy and head north east towards Aber-Cywarch. Ride 1.8 miles gaining 916 at 10% average grade. 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. The Brecon landscape is barren but beautiful as you climb 3.5 miles in Pen-y-Cae. The road if you can call it that was built so vehicles could access the giant pipelines that draw water from Llyn Cowlyd and Llyn Eigiau to feed the Dolgarrog hydroelectric power Station and the water treatment plant that sits on its slopes. 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. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. First built in 2nd century by the Romans, the pass is unbelievably tough from both directions. 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 . From there it's a steep and tough push to reach the saddle of the pass. Through a second gate it's easy for a while then bending right once again it's leg-breakingly tough to the finish at the station, where, looking around you, you might as well be on top of the world. The climb begins as we pass a set of old farm buildings on the left. Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. Saw signs of a moose, unstrapped and started walking down the trail and saw her about 100ft up the trail. 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. 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. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. You'll probably wish you were enjoying a sedate stroll along the fairways of the adjacent golf club by the time you reach the lung-crushing gradients at the top of this punchy climb out of Pontypridd. Bending right the slope immediately kicks up to around 25 per cent but this is mere childs play compared to what lies ahead. First off, a classic. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). In a way. Holding a straight line is becoming all but impossible and the effort needed is simply unsustainable. The Cowlyd, 2. 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. Grid ref: SO 983 279 (OS 163)Length 1.54kmHeight gain 167mApprox climb time 9 mins, Named Hellfire Pass by the English but better known by its Welsh name, Bwlch-y-Groes is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales. And it's so steep, close to 25% at the point where the tall valley walls disappear and the radar slowly rises over the horizon to sit above you, tracking the remainder of your progress. 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 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. 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. When: March 20-27, 2022. Cycling apparel brand, Rapha today launched the Rapha Film Fund, a program designed to help support creatives bring their life lived by bike stories to life on Raphas YouTube.