hardest cycling climbs in wales hardest cycling climbs in wales

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. If you can ride this, you can ride anything. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. . 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. When: March 20-27, 2022. Now round to the right, the ever steepening, increasingly lumpy surface heads into arguably the hardest section of relentlessly steep tarmac in Britain. It is in the Aran Mountains near the south east edge of Snowdonia (. Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. Climb the Gospel Pass via Hay on Wye by bike. But as the road heads into the trees, it rears up sharply, and doesn't drop below 12% until the very top. Moel Arthur - 220m - 10 to 20% - 2.2km #88. 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. The 1.9 mile route is memorable for its scary hairpin climb. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. Explore the climbing route via Google Street Views. 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. At the end of this long stretch, as we reach bend four of four. Plus detailed bike, kit and accessory reviews from the experts. 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. But what is the attraction? The climb is really unique. The Gospel Pass is 548 high. I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Factoring in a pretty torrid road surface too means reaching the top of this wall is an achievement few will ever accomplish. 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. 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! Its quite a strange effort needed to try and get the KOM, he explains. 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. 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. Ranking list Wales has some gorgeous road bike climbs, and Bwlch y Groes is surely one of them! #3 HARDEST WELSH CLIMB -BWLCH PENBARRA TO JUBILEE TOWER, Cycling Bwlch Penbarras to Jubilee Tower, Wales. Before the construction of the Heads of the Valleys road, this was the main road between Gilwern and Brynmawr. Grid Ref: NY 231 014 (OS96). Bwlch y Groes (SW #91), 3. 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. Grid Ref: SE 720 945 (OS94) Length 1430m Height gain 179m Approx climb time 9 mins, Fleet Moss, the highest road in Yorkshire, is a beast from either direction but the greater challenge lies in the route south from Hawes. Please check your inbox to complete the sign-up process and ensure you receive emails and offers from us in the future. 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. If the Tumble is the famous and successful son, the Tyla is his awkward, challenging older brother. This was the advice of a local man as I approached the foot of this brutal climb last year. With a maximum gradient of 22% and an average gradient of 8.1% youre afforded great views of Aberdare the higher you climb. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. But one thing's for sure - Wales has some great places to do it. The first 200-yard segment averages 15%, so be sure to warm up. This climb has the steepest 500 meter segment in all the UK. Height gain 286m By the time you reach the clock tower in Pricetown, you'll have been climbing fairly constantly since Bryncethin. 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. 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. You'll be counting each and every pedal rev as you slowly push your way up the scree-littered road to the summit. We rank this monster as the #3 most difficult in Britain via the Fiets index - #2 in Wales! 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. Where To find Hardknott Pass leave the A595 and head east towards Eskdale. The traditional Snowdonia thus includes the ranges of Snowdon and its satellites, the Glyderau, the Carneddau and the Moel Siabod group. 1. 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. Ride only 600 meters but at a stunning 21.3% average grade. Since that first book, he's added 11 more, as well Ride Britain which showcases 40 inspirational road cycling routes. 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 . Who knows. View PJAMM Cycling's collection of the highest ranked climbs in Wales. 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. A straight line of unflinching steepness of such monotony that it regularly feels like you're going nowhere. Read next: This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales. Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. Its gradient maxes out at 37 percent, with an . 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. Cwm Eigiau, 6. The steepest paved street in Pittsburghand one of the toughest climbs in the USmakes the top spot on our list. There is no dress rehearsal for this stretch of road, this is one take and one take only. . 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. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! But had this happened before I hit the deck or after? The route hugs the side of the steeply sided valley, following the contours of the hillside as it heads towards the summit. The best advice for anyone heading uphill out of Aberdare - don't put yourself in the red too early. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Only two miles, but one of those climbs that feels like it goes on forever. 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). 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 it the suffering? It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. The maximum gradient is 13%. Now climbing steeply, this slither of rough road clinging precariously to the mountainside bends hard right to deliver you into a true wilderness. 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. From there it's a steep and tough push to reach the saddle of the pass. Between the narrow road, the rutted surface and the severity of the slope, this is one seriously tough climb. 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. By the end of this section, you'll have ridden c.84km from the coast and will have climbed 2,800m from sea level. It's that steep much of the way. Dan tells me he brought none other than Andrew Feather (current national hill climb champion) here a few weeks back. Round the end of Loch Kishorn and follow the signs to Applecross, up and over Bealach-na-Ba. -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . [Summarized above under Fiets Top 10 Hardest]. (sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more). The hardest, most difficult and challenging cycling climbs in Wales are, in order of difficulty, 1. 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. 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. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Climbing for fun requires a particular type of sadism. The early parts of this mountain road rarely drop below 10% as the route winds its way up through the trees. 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. 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. Thanks to Strava for the route maps and climb profiles. A mix of all three? It does not include the hills to the south of Maentwrog. The Gospel Pass is situated in Wales. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). Babusar Pass, 4. 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. It's very steep into a small woodland, over a cattle grid and then you will see the enormity of your task. The Brecon landscape is barren but beautiful as you climb 3.5 miles in Pen-y-Cae. I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. 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. 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. But its trajectory means that the damage is done on the brutally steep lower slopes. 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! I have purchased and relied heavily on several of these books in deciding what climbs to include on the PJAMM Website for the UK. Heres how it works. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. 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. 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 distinctive remnants of an ancient quarry indicate the summit. The first time I went up was on a mountain bike and even that proved almost impossible, however, once I got to the top I knew I had to return on a road bike to see how fast I could ride it, he recalls. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). Whatever it is, it makes the stretch of climbing ahead look terrifying. ANDY! I scream, we are coming. What comes next will take your breath away. Each country has her crowned Jewel and Bwlch y Groes makes a good argument for taking that award for the Welsh territory. Approaching from either direction you see the radar station's "golf ball" glowing like a beacon on the top of the ridge. Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble and line the road as the Tour of Britain cyclist near the finish, Abergavenny. Grid Ref: NY 277 027 (OS90) Length 2.52km Height gain 278m Approx climb time 15 mins, This is the greatest climb in England, this is our Mont Ventoux, it has no peers, there is no comparison: Great Dun Fell is simply unique. 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. | 26 regions. Check the forecast before you head out and be prepared for harsher weather at the top. Holding a straight line is becoming all but impossible and the effort needed is simply unsustainable. and climbs through roadside fields. 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. Bwlch Penbarra to Jubilee Tower, 4. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. The Tyla rounds The Blorenge Mountain from Gilwern, and its an incredibly challenging climb, mainly because of its steep lower slopes. Saw signs of a moose, unstrapped and started walking down the trail and saw her about 100ft up the trail. As Dan waltzes off ahead I am beginning to falter. 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. I asked. Named Hellfire Pass by the English but better known by its Welsh name, Bwlch-Y-Groes. To climb from the east, begin at the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. 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. When is the first day of spring and when do clocks go forward in 2023? I was to discover that there is absolutely no objection to cyclists riding it, although few would be mad enough. This is simply a magnificent cycling experience. Do not attempt to ride here in unfavourable conditions. 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. For more epic hill climbing data, visit our Top 10 Most Epic UK and also our Top 10 Most Epic Welsh hill . 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. 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! 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 . Hit the opening 12% slope too hard and you're finished - because it's followed by a sequence of bends with gradients rising above 30%. 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). The top 10 hardest cycling climbs around the globe, all of which we have personally documented, are: 1. 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. Heave yourself round this evil corner and you're through the worst of it. We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (, Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. Climbs have an average length of 4.2km and 248 meters of total ascent. The road to get to this climb is brutally narrow with thick shrubs blocking the views ahead. Gwent The toughest climb in south Wales Where Heading west on the A465 from . 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. It's all a bit of an optical illusion though. Click on "Climb Page" to jump to the detail page for that particular bike climb. 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. The Shelf - 262m - 5 to 15% - 5.1km #87. The road levels between the sharp bends giving you a chance to attack each wicked corner then gather yourself in time for the next. 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. 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. And Lots of them. Riding from Llangadog, you'll be climbing before you realise, but the real business starts after the woodland stops and the open mountainside starts. Gradients of around 30% are generally only found on the inside of tight bends. 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? 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. 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. But I have to keep fighting. Turn left after around a mile though, and everything changes. The first 10km climbs 800m to a small Visitor Centre, via ever steepening slopes and long 12 - 15% ramps. (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). The surface, just wide enough for a single car, is smooth at the edges but little more than gravel and moss in the centre. Simon Warren lists this as the third hardest climb in Wales, and sixth toughest in all the UK. 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. View epic images taken along the climbing route. F. J. Below is a list of Simons choices for Wales Top 10 Hardest and Top 10 Most Epic. Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. Bwlch Penbarra (SW #88), 9. Signup for our. 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. 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. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. Where: Between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. Having featured as a summit finish for the Welsh Nationals and the Tour of Britain, as well as being the signature climb for Velothon Wales, the Tumble is easily one of the most famous climbs in Wales. ALL CLIMBS PJAMM TRIPS MEMBER COMMENTS Climb List: (sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more) PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips.