Climb the Gospel Pass via Hay on Wye by bike. Ride two miles gaining 1,055 at 10.3% average grade. 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. 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. Okay - sheep is not the official mascot. Wrong. Bryn Du is a very steep climb in Aberdare, up Maerdy Mountain. Believe the hype. 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. 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. Climbing for fun requires a particular type of sadism. BA1 1UA. Before the construction of the Heads of the Valleys road, this was the main road between Gilwern and Brynmawr. Over the years, I've sought to climb as many hills as possible. 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. Click the CONTRIBUTE button to share your thoughts with us. Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! Grid ref: NJ 252 118 (OS37) Length 3.01km Height gain 245m Approx climb time 21 mins, This is it: the Holy Grail, the toughest and wildest climb in Britain. It's not quite the Alps, but it's a close as it gets in South Wales. The Guardian - Britains top 10 toughest cycle climbs, 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. 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). It starts from the village of Porlock and climbs an average of 10% gradient towards the top of Exmoor. Mauna Kea, 2. 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 (The Guardian - Britains top 10 toughest cycle climbs). It also has a very interesting motorsport history: The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch-y-Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. What follows is a brief levelling out but you can't put off what lies ahead for long. We have twice personally documented the Welsh Top 10 Hardest Climbs. 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. It is an incredible climb both ways but the road from Tornapress, heading north-west, is just awesome. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (100 Greatest Cycling Climbs - Britain). This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. 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. 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. 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). (sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more). Three Cycling UK members have successfully completed an epic challenge to tackle 100 of the UK's most iconic climbs in one mammoth month-long road trip. The Tumble (SW #97), 8. 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. The Cowlyd, 2. That said, Bwlch Penbarra is certainly a top three for US. Continue on to Fell Foot Farm and start to climb as you turn past the buildings. 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. Click on "Climb Page" to jump to the detail page for that particular bike climb. It's a very tough mile though, averaging somewhere around 9% as it cuts its way up the side of Maerdy Mountain. 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. Ride 1.8 miles gaining 916 at 10% average grade. 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. Riding alongside Dan with Jess tucked in behind we set off, all three of us understandably apprehensive of what lies ahead. Im now trapped on a two foot wide strip of rippled 30 per cent concrete fighting for survival. 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. Where: Heading north-west out of Pontardawe. The base of the climb is on the first right out of the village next to a farm gate. 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. We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. South Wales needs no introduction. Here are some of the UK's other toughest ascents. 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. But, I like to think its a Sheep in Dragons clothing. Weve been crawling skyward for about two minutes, covering just 250m of tarmac as we round bend three. It's a brave soul who doesn't find the site of the Bwlch summit towering above them as they set out from Treorchy slightly daunting. The distinctive remnants of an ancient quarry indicate the summit. And don't even think about putting a foot down - you'll never get started again. Cwm Eigiau, 6. 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. Stay up to date with the latest developments. 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 simply a magnificent cycling experience. A headwind, on the other hand, and it can be a real grind. Cape Epic. Round the end of Loch Kishorn and follow the signs to Applecross, up and over Bealach-na-Ba. Holding a straight line is becoming all but impossible and the effort needed is simply unsustainable. Now very narrow and lined with snow poles, the climb is so well surfaced it resembles a two-metre-wide carpet. If a man with legs as strong as Dans struggles up a climb then what chance do us mortals have? How many have you ridden? Snowdonia (Welsh: Eryri) is a mountainous region in north west Wales and a national park of 823 square miles (2,130 km2) in area. When is the first day of spring and when do clocks go forward in 2023? The Tour of Britain tackled the climb in 2010, when Swiss Michael Albasini attacked up it to take a solo win in Swansea. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Passo Stelvio, Italy. 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. 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 is the highest paved road and hardest bike climb in Wales. Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. Afon Ddu, 7. Llangynidr Mountain is very much a climb of two halves. Pozza San Glisente (Dos dell'Asino), 8. 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. Thanks to Strava for the route maps and climb profiles. But I have to keep fighting. United Kingdom: Wales Hardest and Most Epic Hill Climbs. Between the narrow road, the rutted surface and the severity of the slope, this is one seriously tough climb. 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Maximum gradient: 16%. The Floor is Lava is nothing compared to this road. All rights reserved. Its quite a strange effort needed to try and get the KOM, he explains. 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. ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! VIDEO: Snowboarder Climbs Tree To Evade Angry Moose. Climbing into the Aran Mountains on the edge of Snowdonia, its a road of outstanding beauty rough, weathered and remorselessly steep. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! How steep? Height gain 286m Gradients of around 30% are generally only found on the inside of tight bends. 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. If someone built it we will damn well try and ride it, even if it means falling on our ass because. Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). The Great Orme from Llandudno via Marine Drive, The Great Orme from Llandudno via Ty Gwyn Road. ANDY! I scream, we are coming. Thanks to the help of Strava, we've selected the top five hardest climbs in the UK: Fford Penllech - Wales Hardknott Pass - England Bealach-na-Ba - Scotland Rosedale Chimney - England Trooper. You can also subscribe to the magazine, save on the cover price and get it delivered every Thursday. 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. We decided to opt for an even steeper summit - Cairn O'Mount. Since that . Our preloaded PJAMM Adventure App trip pages Wales and the UK are accessed by clicking the purple PJAMM Trips button above. 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. First off, a classic. I asked. When: March 20-27, 2022. We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. 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!! Another climb with a fair bit of ascent to even get to the start. La Muerte, 9. Now round to the right, the ever steepening, increasingly lumpy surface heads into arguably the hardest section of relentlessly steep tarmac in Britain. If the Tumble is the famous and successful son, the Tyla is his awkward, challenging older brother. It covers 827 square miles (2,140 km2), and has 37 miles (60 km) of coastline. Having left the steep streets of Upper Brynamman behind, the road dissects the open mountainside, tussock-covered hillsides on both flanks. Something went wrong, please try again later. This challenging route is found between between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil and is a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). 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 . 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. 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 . Published 2 March 23. But those who want to do climbs like Penrhys are extreme even within that bracket. And Lots of them. . ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. Stunning and rugged, the Black Mountain (and you) are open to the elements. 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. Scanuppia 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. Dan is still chatting away but Ive fallen silent - there is no space to fit words in-between breaths. Simon ranked Bwlch y Groes as the fourth hardest climb in Wales (7 UK) and second most epic in Wales (after Stwlan Dam). 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. Ride two miles gaining 1,329 at 12.5% average grade. An altitude gain of 620ft in just a mile gives a clue about what kind of climb this is. The average gradient might "only" be 8.3%, but that's reduced by the steady stretch of false flat that precedes the summit. This climb has one very steep segment near the beginning of the climb: a full half-mile at 16.5%. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Where Leave the A684 that runs through Hawes and head south on Gayle Lane to Gayle. 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. It is in the Aran Mountains near the south east edge of Snowdonia (. 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. 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. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Wales is a wonderful country with great people, extraordinary scenery and EPIC bike climbs!! The Tyla rounds the Blorenge from Gilwern, Heading into the trees on the Wentwood Ridge climb just where it starts to get really steep. We relied heavily on Simon Warrens Top UK Climbs Series in ranking and documenting UK bike climbs (. ) A few weeks later I arrive with our photographer Andy, Dan and his wife Jess - a hill climb champion in her own right - to share the experience with them and get the local low down on this insane 700 metres of vertical concrete. 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. Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. 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. My puny cycling arms are shaking like a frightened kitten. - they are the Gold Standard for cycling climbing in the UK. But as the road heads into the trees, it rears up sharply, and doesn't drop below 12% until the very top. Let us know your thoughts about this page. This climb has the steepest 500 meter segment in all the UK. This is a list of all 200 climbs feature in 100 Greatest cycling climbs and also the sequel 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 y Groes means Pass of the Cross.. Pass Gairnshiel Lodge and Colnabaichin. 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. 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. I slump over the bars. Youll see the Foel Y Gordd formation as you enter the canyon area. I have purchased and relied heavily on several of these books in deciding what climbs to include on the PJAMM Website for the UK. I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. 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. Once past an axle weight sign the climb begins. 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. It was the first to be designated of the three national parks in Wales, in 1951. Visit our corporate site. 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. But what is the attraction? Unlike national parks in other countries, Snowdonia (and other such parks in Britain) are made up of both public and private lands under central planning authority. TOP 3 HARDEST BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN). The sense of achievement? Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. And yet once you get to the top, you'll realise you enjoyed every second. The route hugs the side of the steeply sided valley, following the contours of the hillside as it heads towards the summit. I was to discover that there is absolutely no objection to cyclists riding it, although few would be mad enough. 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 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. This featureoriginally appeared in the September 23 print edition of Cycling Weekly magazine,on sale in newsagents and supermarkets, priced 3.25. Where Leaving the A593 just south of Skelwith Bridge head west to Little Langdale.
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