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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. Grid Ref: NY 231 014 (OS96). But the end of the steep ramp is within touching distance. And yet once you get to the top, you'll realise you enjoyed every second. Afon Ddu, 7. The distinctive remnants of an ancient quarry indicate the summit. 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%. 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. Another climb with a fair bit of ascent to even get to the start. United Kingdom: Wales Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. The British is named after the massive old ironworks that once dominated this area above Pontypool. But we dare you to stand at Broad Pool, look up at the ribbon of road snaking up to Gower's highest point and not want to ride it. 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. "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. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britain's steepest hill. 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. If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? 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. 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. Ride two miles gaining 1,055 at 10.3% average grade. 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. Join the road up from Thornhill and things get a little easier before the final wall up to the main road. The hardest, most difficult and challenging cycling climbs in Wales are, in order of difficulty, 1. The Tour of Britain tackled the climb in 2010, when Swiss Michael Albasini attacked up it to take a solo win in Swansea. 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. 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. . Where Head north into the mountains from Ballater on the A939. The views? Like being first? Stunning and rugged, the Black Mountain (and you) are open to the elements. Bending right the slope immediately kicks up to around 25 per cent but this is mere childs play compared to what lies ahead. To climb from the east, begin at the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. 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. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! You have to take each and every opportunity to recover when it is presented, no matter how slight he says. The early parts of this mountain road rarely drop below 10% as the route winds its way up through the trees. 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. The gradient towards the top is, in the most part, forgiving, with the most taxing stretches found around the villages lower down. This brutal, bucket list climb invites you to tackle an incredible 48 hairpin bends between Prato and the mountain's summit. Ride 1.8 miles gaining 916 at 10% average grade. Dan tells me he brought none other than Andrew Feather (current national hill climb champion) here a few weeks back. 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. 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. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. 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. Penbarra ( Bwlch Pen barras / Bwlch Penbarras / Old Bwlch) - 258m - 11 to 25% - 2.3km #89. Thank you for signing up! Follow the road alongside the river to Llanymawddwy, pass through and begin the climb across the Pont y Pennant. Mauna Kea, 2. Where: South of Llangadog, Carmarthenshire. The Gospel Pass is 548 high. Bwlch Penbarra to Jubilee Tower, 4. Two miles up a main road at between 4% and 6% might sound easy, but that just depends on how fast you're going. 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. But, I like to think its a Sheep in Dragons clothing. Far from any major towns, the starting point is near some very old homesteads. Where Leave the A470 at Dinas Mawddwy and head north east towards Aber-Cywarch. Where Leave the A684 that runs through Hawes and head south on Gayle Lane to Gayle. The lodge helpfully is a decent cafe stop too as it happens. On the opposite side of the Blorenge to the more famous Tumble, Rhiwr Road makes that famous climb look like child's play. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. They are good people out here that enjoy a way of life much slower and unfamiliar to most others I think. 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). Afon Ddu starts abruptly from the main road and youll need just one gear, the lowest you can fit on your bike. . South Wales needs no introduction. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. 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. 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. From this page you may navigate to the top 10 most difficult bicycling climbs in Wales. Climbing for fun requires a particular type of sadism. This page provides an excellent and comprehensive summary of the top, hardest and best bicycling climbs in Wales. When: March 20-27, 2022. Approaching from either direction you see the radar station's "golf ball" glowing like a beacon on the top of the ridge. Where Leaving the A593 just south of Skelwith Bridge head west to Little Langdale. 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 makeup of land ownership at Snowdonia is as follows (Wikipedia - Snowdonia National Park). Id evaluated the merits of all contenders from Yorkshire's Rosedale Chimney to Ffordd Penllech via Bushcombe Lane and Vale Street but then came that bigger fish, then came a new vision of hell: Afon Ddu, AKA the Baby Zoncolan. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. List of - 100 Climbs Total climbing: 21,293m over 322.75km. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure. My puny cycling arms are shaking like a frightened kitten. 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. Its quite a strange effort needed to try and get the KOM, he explains. Without being too hysterical, this climb is nothing more than a joyless straight line of pain. The road levels slightly but the surface is cut up and damaged. 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. Afon Ddu from Trefriw is the toughest ascent with a difficulty score of 621. 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. It also has a very interesting motorsport history: The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. 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. 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. Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble Abergavenny. 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. Click on "Climb Page" to jump to the detail page for that particular bike climb. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. The landscape is rough, its easy to see how the area gets pounded with rain and freezing temps most of the year. 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. . . 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. Electric Mountain, 5. How many have you suffered on your way up? But one thing's for sure - Wales has some great places to do it. 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. Baniamr Aquabah Pass, 6. The road levels between the sharp bends giving you a chance to attack each wicked corner then gather yourself in time for the next. This climb isn't for the faint-hearted. We rank this monster as #2 most difficult in UK via the Fiets index. TOP 3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (FIETS INDEX), This extraordinary climb is in the northwestern section of Wales in the Snowdonia mountain region. "Take it easy now or you'll never make it." 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. 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 . Signup for our. 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. Where: Heading north-west out of Pontardawe. 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. 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. Signup for our. Bwlch y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. 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. Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). 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. The surface is rough at first and steep from the outset, but improves as you pass over a cattlegrid and approach the double hairpin. Cross the cattle grid onto a long straight 7% drag that takes you into the trees. 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. Turn away from the village of Knock and begin opposite a farm gate. 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 . You'll be counting each and every pedal rev as you slowly push your way up the scree-littered road to the summit. This is a list of all 200 climbs feature in 100 Greatest cycling climbs and also the sequel It's mentally taxing rather than a top-level physical challenge - the four miles of climbing are largely gentle in gradient terms, but difficult because of the scale of the landscape. The less celebrated of two routes up Llangynidr Mountain, the climb from Llangattock is no less difficult. (sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more). Cwm Eigiau, 6. Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. The Floor is Lava is nothing compared to this road. 2. We relied heavily on Simon Warrens Top UK Climbs Series in ranking and documenting UK bike climbs (. ) Begin the climb across the bridge at Cock Bridge just past Corgarff Castle. My knees are ready to snap. Bryn Du is a very steep climb in Aberdare, up Maerdy Mountain. It only takes 1 minute and it's completely free. We rank this monster as the #3 most difficult in Britain via the Fiets index - #2 in Wales! 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. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (, Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. 1. When we reached this last hairpin though his jaw hit the floor, he recalls. Learn More ALL TRIPS After leaving the village, you're into open moorland but don't expect a gradient in single figures. The Netherlands: A trip through the lowlands. Where From the bottom left corner of Rosedale Abbey leave the main road and turn south east on to Gill Lane, pass the giant warning sign, and head up. The wooded opening sequence and the first phases on the open hillside are where you'll really suffer. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. This featureoriginally appeared in the September 23 print edition of Cycling Weekly magazine,on sale in newsagents and supermarkets, priced 3.25. Enter the first of two sets of brutal switchbacks and wrench body and bike through the 25% corners. If any more proof was needed, this road takes no prisoners., it is utterly savage but thats what we love, right? In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Simon Warren for his books generally and for his contribution of Top 10 lists for PJAMM Cycling. Where: Between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. 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. 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. But had this happened before I hit the deck or after? 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. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. 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. Watch a gorgeous open up before your eyes as you tackle this country road that rises straight out of Pontardawe. I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. 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. The Cowlyd, 2. danevanscycling Ffordd Pen Llech This is simply a magnificent cycling experience. The Shelf - 262m - 5 to 15% - 5.1km #87. As Eryri (see above), this area has a unique place in Welsh history, tradition and culture. Photograph: Stephen Dorey/Alamy. Still, that's the least of your worries as you pass a 25% sign. 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). 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. The climb goes up a ridge to a small parking lot, where we saw two other cyclists. 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. Named Hellfire Pass by the English but better known by its Welsh name, Bwlch-Y-Groes. The photos in the collage at the top of this page are of PJAMMs Top 10 Hardest per the Fiets Index. Repeatedly, you'll think you're through the worst - only to be hit again with the next step of the staircase. 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. 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. My veins are ready to explode as I push and pull through each agonising revolution of the pedals. 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. Sign up with your email address to receive offers, news and updates. Rhiwr Road (SW #197), and 10. Favourite cycling climbs in North Wales 1 - Pen-y-Pass aka Llanberis Pass Pen Y Pass Profile. The steepest paved street in Pittsburghand one of the toughest climbs in the USmakes the top spot on our list. If you want the privilege of having ridden the highest paved road in Wales, you'll need to earn it. 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. But those who want to do climbs like Penrhys are extreme even within that bracket. Photograph: Ashley Cooper/Alamy, The radar station of top of Great Dun Fell. Luckily for us the rain was holding on our expedition. Banking right, the surface breaks up and 20% soon turns into 25%. 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. We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. Once the gradient kicks in it just gets steeper and steeper, 20% past the last of the houses, then the fun really starts. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. Wales treated us quite well on our visit in August 2018. The Tyla rounds The Blorenge Mountain from Gilwern, and its an incredibly challenging climb, mainly because of its steep lower slopes. and climbs through roadside fields. Summarized above under Fiets Top 10 Hardest], 100 Greatest Climbs - A Road Cyclists Guide To Britains Hills, Rate climbs, post comments and share your experiences on any of our climb pages, Create bucket lists of climbs & mark the dates you complete them, Weather data for all climbs - Start & Finish, Upload photos to your member page to customize your PJAMM Cycling experience, Utilize all of our interactive tools - Profile & Routes in Area. Moel Arthur - 220m - 10 to 20% - 2.2km #88. 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. We decided to opt for an even steeper summit - Cairn O'Mount. Let us know what you thought of this climb. 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. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). And Lots of them. Heave yourself round this evil corner and you're through the worst of it. Apart from the few cars that travel this route, you're more likely to have wary, onlooking deer for company, as they track your slow progress up the mountain. Inspecting my bike it appears my right pedal has partially disintegrated. One for the power climbers. Bwlch Penbarra (SW #88), 9. First off, a classic. 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. 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. Is it the suffering? It's not quite the Alps, but it's a close as it gets in South Wales. [Summarized above under Fiets Top 10 Hardest]. I snapped my chain not once but twice in my attempt to conquer this vicious stretch of tarmac. 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!! Most local riders know its here, we gave it the nickname the Baby Zoncolan but we all avoid it like the plague. #3 HARDEST WELSH CLIMB -BWLCH PENBARRA TO JUBILEE TOWER, Cycling Bwlch Penbarras to Jubilee Tower, Wales. Climbs have an average length of 4.2km and 248 meters of total ascent. | 26 regions. We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. Riding from Llangadog, you'll be climbing before you realise, but the real business starts after the woodland stops and the open mountainside starts. 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! When is the first day of spring and when do clocks go forward in 2023? When you reach the open mountaintop (after 3.4 miles), the views will take your breath away. Finish at the car park at the top of the climb. 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. 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. 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.
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