The climb up here out of Ferndale is pretty tasty too. Named after the huge old ironworks that once dominated this hillside above Pontypool, there's little to suggest the majesty of this climb's top section when you turn onto its lower slopes off the A4043 through Abersychan. 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. "Backcountry riding and we were on a pump track to get back inbounds. 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. Pass Gairnshiel Lodge and Colnabaichin. To climb from the east, begin at the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. Finish at the car park at the top of the climb. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. 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. 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. 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. As Eryri (see above), this area has a unique place in Welsh history, tradition and culture. Whatever it is, it makes the stretch of climbing ahead look terrifying. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. Wales has some gorgeous road bike climbs, and Bwlch y Groes is surely one of them! Our preloaded PJAMM Adventure App trip pages Wales and the UK are accessed by clicking the purple PJAMM Trips button above. Region: South West Length: 3.1km Average gradient: 10% Elevation: 321m 1. 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. This climb has the steepest 500 meter segment in all the UK. Repeatedly, you'll think you're through the worst - only to be hit again with the next step of the staircase. This climb comes with the steepest 500 meters in all of the UK at 25%, and it comes at the beginning of the climb so be prepared to strain at the outset. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. 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. This route is an area of desolate but beautiful countryside. Thank you for signing up! Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our. Wales treated us quite well on our visit in August 2018. When we reached this last hairpin though his jaw hit the floor, he recalls. 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. And Lots of them. 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 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. 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. The sign reading 20% as you cross a stream on the beautiful valley road from Talybont-on-Usk is the first hint of the lung-busting effort that awaits you. Bwlch Penbarra to Jubilee Tower, 4. Pass through the village, over the river, turning right to find the base of Beggarmans Road and head for the sky. 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. 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. Let us know what you thought of this climb. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. Simon and Dan get to grips with Pythagoras Theorem. 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. 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 parked at the Church in the town of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd (try saying that TWO times fast . My puny cycling arms are shaking like a frightened kitten. Continue on to Fell Foot Farm and start to climb as you turn past the buildings. A straight line of unflinching steepness of such monotony that it regularly feels like you're going nowhere. 2. The Tyla rounds The Blorenge Mountain from Gilwern, and its an incredibly challenging climb, mainly because of its steep lower slopes. List of - 100 Climbs Total climbing: 21,293m over 322.75km. Unceremoniously I hit the floor and proceeded to tumble southwards just missing Jess by millimeters (how she stayed upright Ill never know and sincerely I apologise for ruining her QOM attempt). Within a few hundred feet of the start point, a switchback of over 20% warns you of the battle to come. (If you're cyclist in North, Mid or West Wales, we'll be. As Dan waltzes off ahead I am beginning to falter. Photograph: Ashley Cooper/Alamy, The radar station of top of Great Dun Fell. Don't let the urban nature of this climb fool you - it's not easy. You'll find the top, most difficult, epic, scenic, hardest, challenging, extreme, inspiring, bucket list bike climbs located in Wales. Im now trapped on a two foot wide strip of rippled 30 per cent concrete fighting for survival. It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. 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. Heres how it works. First built in 2nd century by the Romans, the pass is unbelievably tough from both directions. The wooded opening sequence and the first phases on the open hillside are where you'll really suffer. Watch a gorgeous open up before your eyes as you tackle this country road that rises straight out of Pontardawe. 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. Read next: This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales. This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. Bealach na B is the one most talked about, as one of few category 1 road climbs in the United Kingdom. Want the best food, film, music, arts and culture news sent straight to your inbox? This climb truly is beauty and the beast. If you want to share something you need to create an account. Luckily for us the rain was holding on our expedition. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. Penbarra ( Bwlch Pen barras / Bwlch Penbarras / Old Bwlch) - 258m - 11 to 25% - 2.3km #89. If there's a more brutal stretch of road anywhere in South Wales than Llanguicke Road, then it's definitely best avoided. The full climb might be 2.4km, but that doesn't even nearly tell the full story. I have purchased and relied heavily on several of these books in deciding what climbs to include on the PJAMM Website for the UK. The average gradient might "only" be 8.3%, but that's reduced by the steady stretch of false flat that precedes the summit. He was in north Wales pinching some of my best KOMs so I thought he deserved some punishment. 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. Climb summary by PJAMM Cyclings Brad Butterfield - he climbed this one in 2018 and 2022. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britain's steepest hill. The Gospel Pass is 548 high. The Brecon landscape is barren but beautiful as you climb 3.5 miles in Pen-y-Cae. 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. The bike climbs we have documented are in the slideshow above. Signup for our. 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. What comes next will take your breath away. 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. Through the gate, straight over a cattle grid and into more hard work, the road bending left past a stone shelter, a sure-fire signal although you are nowhere near the top yet that you're heading into truly hostile country. View PJAMM Cycling's collection of the highest ranked climbs in Wales. It's very steep into a small woodland, over a cattle grid and then you will see the enormity of your task. Afon Ddu starts abruptly from the main road and youll need just one gear, the lowest you can fit on your bike. It is in the Aran Mountains near the south east edge of Snowdonia (. Gwent The toughest climb in south Wales Where Heading west on the A465 from . 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. Not here. 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. If the Tumble is the famous and successful son, the Tyla is his awkward, challenging older brother. Turn away from the village of Knock and begin opposite a farm gate. But its trajectory means that the damage is done on the brutally steep lower slopes. 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. 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. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Ride two miles gaining 1,055 at 10.3% average grade. The Rhigos is an altogether different proposition from the south, getting straighter rather than more meandering as it climbs. Where Leave the A684 that runs through Hawes and head south on Gayle Lane to Gayle. The road levels between the sharp bends giving you a chance to attack each wicked corner then gather yourself in time for the next. But those who want to do climbs like Penrhys are extreme even within that bracket. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. 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. El Torneado, and 10. Since that first book, he's added 11 more, as well Ride Britain which showcases 40 inspirational road cycling routes. Plus detailed bike, kit and accessory reviews from the experts. "Take it easy now or you'll never make it." Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. Llangynidr Mountain is very much a climb of two halves. of course, ride the toughest cycling climbs across the UK and Europe. 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. The base of the climb is on the first right out of the village next to a farm gate. Named after the river beside it, the Afon Ddu (Welsh for black river) which flows down from Llyn Cowlyd I ask Dan how he first came across it. Before the construction of the Heads of the Valleys road, this was the main road between Gilwern and Brynmawr. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. She got all aggressive so we turned around and chilled for 20, walked back up the trail and she was still there . 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. I did warn him how bad it was but he was like, yeah, its just another hill. 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. In fact the Welsh flag has an imposing Dragon on it. But the end of the steep ramp is within touching distance. Scotland Bealach Na Ba Bealach na B is arguably the toughest climb in Britain. And yet once you get to the top, you'll realise you enjoyed every second. Below is a list of Simons choices for Wales Top 10 Hardest and Top 10 Most Epic. The end of the dry stone wall alongside you signifies the top of the climb, from where there are beautiful views north towards the western Brecon Beacons. 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. 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. 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. Most local riders know its here, we gave it the nickname the Baby Zoncolan but we all avoid it like the plague. 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. Simon Warren lists this as the third hardest climb in Wales, and sixth toughest in all the UK. It's all a bit of an optical illusion though. We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. If someone built it we will damn well try and ride it, even if it means falling on our ass because. How steep? 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 . 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. 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). 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 . is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (, Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. And don't even think about putting a foot down - you'll never get started again. Dan tells me he brought none other than Andrew Feather (current national hill climb champion) here a few weeks back. 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. danevanscycling Ffordd Pen Llech We have twice personally documented the Welsh Top 10 Hardest Climbs. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. 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. -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . Snowdonia (Welsh: Eryri) is a mountainous region in north west Wales and a national park of 823 square miles (2,130 km2) in area. The Great Orme from Llandudno via Marine Drive, The Great Orme from Llandudno via Ty Gwyn Road. and climbs through roadside fields. 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. After a few slight rises the road surface improves dramatically and stretches far into the distance, taking the shortest route over the featureless ridge. 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. Leave the head of Loch Kishorn, turn left and you're on your way, soon passing the large sign warning of the various dangers that lie ahead. At this point, the climb would get significantly worse! But I have to keep fighting. Al Jaadah Pass, 3. 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! On the opposite side of the Blorenge to the more famous Tumble, Rhiwr Road makes that famous climb look like child's play. 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. If you were measuring the steepest, hardest, highest or longest climbs in South Wales, this wouldn't be anywhere near it. Over the course of the slog, you'll climb . Picturesque mountains, hills, valleys and coastland define the landscape, and make the area a dream cycling location. The maximum gradient is 13%. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. The sheer length of this steep section is what sets this climb apart, there's just nowhere to recover. . See where the steepest portions of the climb are located by gradient group. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. This climb is breathtaking and we will return and do this one again - its just that unique, inspiring and exceptional. 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. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! Babusar Pass, 4. Length 2.25km Height gain 298m Approx climb time 15 mins, If Hardknott is the king of climbs, then Wrynose is its queen; slightly softer at the edges but no less ruthless. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. 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. 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. When: March 20-27, 2022. On our climb, we encountered a car and had to back up nearly a kilometer to find a place where they could pass. Start opposite the old red telephone box, past the numerous warning signs, across the cattle grid then bend slightly left. The Tyla rounds the Blorenge from Gilwern, Heading into the trees on the Wentwood Ridge climb just where it starts to get really steep. Still, that's the least of your worries as you pass a 25% sign. Saw signs of a moose, unstrapped and started walking down the trail and saw her about 100ft up the trail. Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. Afon Ddu, 7. 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. 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. 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. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. 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. World Cycle Tours, Nutterswood Cottage, Nutters Wood, Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3PZ, United Kingdom. BA1 1UA. Pozza San Glisente (Dos dell'Asino), 8. Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. 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. Now very narrow and lined with snow poles, the climb is so well surfaced it resembles a two-metre-wide carpet. Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. 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. After leaving the village, you're into open moorland but don't expect a gradient in single figures. Bryn Du is a very steep climb in Aberdare, up Maerdy Mountain. I was to discover that there is absolutely no objection to cyclists riding it, although few would be mad enough. . . I slump over the bars. 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. >>> Subscriptions deals forCycling Weeklymagazine. 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. 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. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). Who knows. Where: Between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil. 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. VIDEO: Snowboarder Climbs Tree To Evade Angry Moose. Climbs have an average length of 4.2km and 248 meters of total ascent. This challenging route is found between between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil and is a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). 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