Essentially every turn is a blind curve. It also has a very interesting motorsport history: The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. The early parts of this mountain road rarely drop below 10% as the route winds its way up through the trees. Follow the base of the ridge until you reach Asterton then turn right past the post box and head up. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? Cross the cattle grid onto a long straight 7% drag that takes you into the trees. In many ways, the quintessential Welsh mountain road - wild, remote, desolate and endearingly featureless. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. In front of you is the Alpine-style Ski Centre, a simply awesome ride. Top 100 #86. In Wales cyclists can find 74 interesting climbs between 5 and 550 meters above sea level. Maximum gradient: 16%. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The Great Orme from Llandudno via Marine Drive, The Great Orme from Llandudno via Ty Gwyn Road. Rhiwr Road (SW #197), and 10. Stwlan Dam. Plus detailed bike, kit and accessory reviews from the experts. The surface is rough at first and steep from the outset, but improves as you pass over a cattlegrid and approach the double hairpin. After a few slight rises the road surface improves dramatically and stretches far into the distance, taking the shortest route over the featureless ridge. Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. The Netherlands: A trip through the lowlands. Or should we be asking, how accurate? We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. South Wales needs no introduction. Now on Station Road, take the third left after crossing the rail line on to Bushcombe Lane between the two 25% signs. Let us know your thoughts about this page. 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. Newly formed Denver Disruptors and Miami Nights NCL teams will make their debut at Tucson Bicycle Classic and tackle a full season of NCL and domestic racing, By Anne-Marije Rook This climb was renowned throughout the 1970s and 80s as the most challenging climb used in the Milk Race round-Britain cycle race (Wikipedia). But its trajectory means that the damage is done on the brutally steep lower slopes. It's all a bit of an optical illusion though. As Eryri (see above), this area has a unique place in Welsh history, tradition and culture. 2. Where Head north into the mountains from Ballater on the A939. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britains steepest hill. Get info and context about new features. Al Jaadah Pass, 3. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. The makeup of land ownership at Snowdonia is as follows (Wikipedia - Snowdonia National Park). 1. Baniamr Aquabah Pass, 6. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. The landscape is rough, its easy to see how the area gets pounded with rain and freezing temps most of the year. Picturesque mountains, hills, valleys and coastland define the landscape, and make the area a dream cycling location. Eventually you'll bend around to the left and the battered, rugged road levels for good. for this page: ). View PJAMM Cycling's collection of the highest ranked climbs in Wales. Where: Heading north out of Nantymoel in the Ogmore Valley. You have to pace yourself because as the road progresses you hit a series of bends, coupled with a 30% gradient. This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. Bwlch Penbarra to Jubilee Tower, 4. 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. After an age on the opening steep gradient the road banks right to plateau before a brief downhill. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. The climb goes up a ridge to a small parking lot, where we saw two other cyclists. 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. The views? If someone built it we will damn well try and ride it, even if it means falling on our ass because. 37 beautiful and challenging climbs in South Wales every - WalesOnline 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. Heading up the Blorenge from the other side, the climb gains slightly less altitude in slightly greater distance. 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. Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. 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. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us. Wales has some gorgeous road bike climbs, and Bwlch y Groes is surely one of them! ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! Ride 1.8 miles gaining 916 at 10% average grade. I can see why. The road levels slightly but the. As Dan waltzes off ahead I am beginning to falter. Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. On the opposite side of the Blorenge to the more famous Tumble, Rhiwr Road makes that famous climb look like child's play. 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. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. 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. This is a list of all 200 climbs feature in 100 Greatest cycling climbs and also the sequel This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. This is largely due to its length of 9.32km. Do not attempt to ride here in unfavourable conditions. As of 2022, Simon Warren has published 12 cycling climbing books - 10 focusing on the UK, one on TdF and the other on the Giro. The road levels slightly but the surface is cut up and damaged. Is it the suffering? The Tour of Britain tackled the climb in 2010, when Swiss Michael Albasini attacked up it to take a solo win in Swansea. Who knows. 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. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! Where: Heading north out of Cymmer in the Afan Valley. My bike is creaking. Its from here that this road separates itself from its peers, and its from here that everyone will be pushed to their limits. If you can ride this, you can ride anything. Two miles up a main road at between 4% and 6% might sound easy, but that just depends on how fast you're going. Signup for our. 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. 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). 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. Check the forecast before you head out and be prepared for harsher weather at the top. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. At this point, the climb would get significantly worse! Leave the A470 at Dinas Mawddwy and head into the Afon Dyfi Valley. 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. Heave yourself round this evil corner and you're through the worst of it. By the time you reach the clock tower in Pricetown, you'll have been climbing fairly constantly since Bryncethin. I can now hear Jess approaching from behind, her 34 x 32 slightly more suited to the venue than my 34 x 28, judging by her colourful language I assume I am in her way. Even though its very short you have to go so slowly at first. 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. TOP 3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (FIETS INDEX), This extraordinary climb is in the northwestern section of Wales in the Snowdonia mountain region. From the long, straight opening stretch, the summit seems scarily close in distance, while worryingly far away in altitude. 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. After leaving the village, you're into open moorland but don't expect a gradient in single figures. La Muerte, 9. Okay - sheep is not the official mascot. World Cycle Tours, Nutterswood Cottage, Nutters Wood, Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3PZ, United Kingdom. Climb the Gospel Pass via Hay on Wye by bike. 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. It starts steep from the village of Clydach and beats you up for a whole mile before easing just a touch. . This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. 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. 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! She got all aggressive so we turned around and chilled for 20, walked back up the trail and she was still there . -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . 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. Where: South of Llangadog, Carmarthenshire. and climbs through roadside fields. Britain's top 10 toughest cycle climbs - the Guardian These days, cyclists have it pretty much to themselves, save for the odd bit of local traffic. Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our. Don't let the urban nature of this climb fool you - it's not easy. TOP 3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN). Simon Warren lists this as the third hardest climb in Wales, and sixth toughest in all the UK. The full climb might be 2.4km, but that doesn't even nearly tell the full story. Cwm Eigiau, 6. ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. There's something evil lurking in the woods at the top of this climb in rural Monmouthshire. 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. An altitude gain of 620ft in just a mile gives a clue about what kind of climb this is. Its quite a strange effort needed to try and get the KOM, he explains. We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. The hardest, most difficult and challenging cycling climbs in Wales are, in order of difficulty, 1. United Kingdom: England's Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs, United Kingdom: Hardest and Epic Bike Climbs, United Kingdom: Scotland's Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs. I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. How many have you ridden? Join the road up from Thornhill and things get a little easier before the final wall up to the main road. Follow the road alongside the river to Llanymawddwy, pass through and begin the climb across the Pont y Pennant. Reaching new heights - tackling 100 toughest cycling climbs Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. Our first relentless climb is Abercynafon, found between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. When you reach the open mountaintop (after 3.4 miles), the views will take your breath away. 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. Straining to reach each successive crest burns more matches then to further compound the difficulty the act of zig zagging, (the practice where the cyclist tries to marginally reduce the severity of the slope by riding left to right) is rendered impossible by the unbroken line of slippery debris that runs along the roads centre. Britain's greatest cycling climbs - The Telegraph 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.