Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure! We completed this jewel in August 2018 and because it is so epic, came back for a second go in June 2022. We parked at the Church in the town of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd (try saying that TWO times fast . ANDY! I scream, we are coming. 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. It is really tough to crown just one climb in Wales as a favorite after riding so many over our few weeks of riding in June 2022. . Where To find Hardknott Pass leave the A595 and head east towards Eskdale. 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. Where Turn off the A896 and head east just before Tornapress. The gradient towards the top is, in the most part, forgiving, with the most taxing stretches found around the villages lower down. Begin the climb across the bridge at Cock Bridge just past Corgarff Castle. After an age on the opening steep gradient the road banks right to plateau before a brief downhill. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the canyon as you pass Wales mascot - Sheep! Just keep going, then head down the terrifying descent. Grid Ref: NY 231 014 (OS96). Published 2 March 23. How many have you ridden? My knees are ready to snap. Receive a selection of the most beautiful climbs we've added. He wasn't wrong. 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. A straight line of unflinching steepness of such monotony that it regularly feels like you're going nowhere. The three vicious ascents leaving Woodmancote all offer a fantastic challenge, and of the three it's Bushcombe Lane that stands apart. Signup for our. 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. Zig-zag past cascading waterfalls, amidst the brief protection of rocky outcrops to exit this tangle of tarmac and round one final left hand to finish. 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. To climb from the east, begin at the warning sign at Jubilee Bridge. . 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. But one thing's for sure - Wales has some great places to do it. Where: Between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. 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. 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. BA1 1UA. Between the narrow road, the rutted surface and the severity of the slope, this is one seriously tough climb. 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. is the highest tarmacked pass in Wales (, Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. 1. But its trajectory means that the damage is done on the brutally steep lower slopes. 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. Whatever it is, it makes the stretch of climbing ahead look terrifying. Select a portion of the route to retrieve climb & profile data for that segment. The Brecon landscape is barren but beautiful as you climb 3.5 miles in Pen-y-Cae. By the time you reach the clock tower in Pricetown, you'll have been climbing fairly constantly since Bryncethin. 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). Let us know what you thought of this climb. Leave the A470 at Dinas Mawddwy and head into the Afon Dyfi Valley. I cant say for sure but I decide to stick with before to salvage what I can of my fragile ego. . Continue on to Fell Foot Farm and start to climb as you turn past the buildings. Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. If there's a more brutal stretch of road anywhere in South Wales than Llanguicke Road, then it's definitely best avoided. South Africa's Cape Epic is the only MTB stage race classed as 'hors categorie' (beyond category) by the UCI, and upon looking at the eight days of riding . Don't let the urban nature of this climb fool you - it's not easy. 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. The northern ascent of the Black has a very different character to its southern counterpart. We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. Simon Warren has published many books on cycling climbing in the UK (e.g. Rhiwr Road (SW #197), and 10. Al Jaadah Pass, 3. Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our. Each country has her crowned Jewel and Bwlch y Groes makes a good argument for taking that award for the Welsh territory. 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. Okay - sheep is not the official mascot. Abercynafon Our first relentless climb is Abercynafon, found between Talybont-on-Usk and Pontsticill. The climb is really unique. Views and scenery during the middle of the climb. We've collected 37 of the hardest, most beautiful, steepest, highest and longest climbs in South Wales. F. J. 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 first 10km climbs 800m to a small Visitor Centre, via ever steepening slopes and long 12 - 15% ramps. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you survive the absolute wall out of Pontypridd along Graigwen Road, you'll be treated to one of the most beautiful routes in this part of South Wales as the road follows a ridge high above Taff Valley to the historic church of Llanwonno. 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! 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. Llangynidr Mountain is very much a climb of two halves. 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. 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. Check the forecast before you head out and be prepared for harsher weather at the top. Baniamr Aquabah Pass, 6. After all that has preceded it, the finale a set of four hairpin bends may be all too much, but fear not. (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). In Welsh, the area is named Eryri. The Tumble (SW #97), 8. For a while there I thought Id settled it. 1. "Cycling in south Wales is a completely different story. Windswept and remote this climb begins in Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, and goes for 3.7 miles with a 12% gradient. 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 . This climb has the steepest 500 meter segment in all the UK. You'll find the top, most difficult, epic, scenic, hardest, challenging, extreme, inspiring, bucket list bike climbs located in Wales. 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. The English name for the area derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 ft (1,085 m). Two miles up a main road at between 4% and 6% might sound easy, but that just depends on how fast you're going. Heading up the Blorenge from the other side, the climb gains slightly less altitude in slightly greater distance. 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%. I can see why. Even though its very short you have to go so slowly at first. 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. We decided to opt for an even steeper summit - Cairn O'Mount. As Dan waltzes off ahead I am beginning to falter. Bending right the slope immediately kicks up to around 25 per cent but this is mere childs play compared to what lies ahead. No part of it is easy, but it's the first of two hairpins that makes it notorious. 2. Its found as you head north-west out of Pontardawe. After around 50 metres the second bend arrives where on the corner there is a slight leveling, Dan immediately heads to the shallower part of the corner here to catch a few seconds respite. What comes next will take your breath away. Heres how it works. 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. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. 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. danevanscycling Ffordd Pen Llech Where Leave the A66 in Appleby-in-Westmorland, head north past Brampton, and left through Dufton to arrive in Knock. 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. Once the gradient kicks in it just gets steeper and steeper, 20% past the last of the houses, then the fun really starts. Learn More ALL TRIPS When we reached this last hairpin though his jaw hit the floor, he recalls. This intimidating wall achieves virtually all of its 150m altitude gain in the space of a fearsome 1.2km, at an average gradient of nearly 13%. The makeup of land ownership at Snowdonia is as follows (Wikipedia - Snowdonia National Park). Where Leaving the A593 just south of Skelwith Bridge head west to Little Langdale. TOP 3 MOST EPIC BIKE CLIMBS IN WALES (SIMON WARREN), Cycling the incomparable Stwlan Dam, Wales. 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. If you have any information regarding this climb, we'd like to hear from you. -- Climbs taken from 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs (8.99, . Bath 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. . before our second trip to document the UKs top climbs in 2022 -- thus, its The Real Deal! ) 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. When: March 20-27, 2022. It's very steep into a small woodland, over a cattle grid and then you will see the enormity of your task. Repeatedly, you'll think you're through the worst - only to be hit again with the next step of the staircase. Baran Road is arguably the most beautiful of all the tough climbs were listing here. Climbing for fun requires a particular type of sadism. The top few miles of the Swansea Valley take you up the steady slopes of a wide and straight main road up to the beautiful Crai Reservoir. 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. "Take it easy now or you'll never make it." In fact the Welsh flag has an imposing Dragon on it. Where: Heading north out of Nantymoel in the Ogmore Valley. ranks this as the hardest climb in Wales and he will get no argument from us on that front! Youre not going to forget the name of this route, nor how it makes you feel! Since that . This is the story of how he found it and just how painful it is to ride. 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. 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. 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 hardest, most difficult and challenging cycling climbs in Wales are, in order of difficulty, 1. Our preloaded PJAMM Adventure App trip pages Wales and the UK are accessed by clicking the purple PJAMM Trips button above. First off, a classic. You have 50 climbs on your lists, if you want to add more you can do so with climbfinder+. Up and up, and then mercifully dipping, or is it just levelling? This featureoriginally appeared in the September 23 print edition of Cycling Weekly magazine,on sale in newsagents and supermarkets, priced 3.25. 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. Cyclist and spectators make their way up The Tumble Abergavenny. The steep, consistent gradient hovers around 15% all the way, making it one of the most challenging climbs in South Wales. Deep in the dark heart of Wales, climbing nut Simon Warren thinks he has discovered Britains steepest hill. 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 . 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 . The distinctive remnants of an ancient quarry indicate the summit. Read next: This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales. We believe we have located and thoroughly documented the Top 10 Hardest (by Fiets and by Simon Warren) and 10 Most Epic (Simon Warren) and these are accessed via the Map or List above on the Wales Home page just above this Climb Area Summary. Where: Between Ystrad Mynach and Merthyr Tydfil. "Backcountry riding and we were on a pump track to get back inbounds. 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). View epic images taken along the climbing route. The Hardest Climbs - The Steepest Roads in the World Bikes & Gear Health & Nutrition Training Repair Exclusives Subscribe Sign In 1 Five Black Women Who Rode From NYC to DCin 1928 2 18 Best. 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. Cape Epic. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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). I slump over the bars. 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 . 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. 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. The road levels slightly but the. Dan is still chatting away but Ive fallen silent - there is no space to fit words in-between breaths. Also known as Hellfire Pass, Bwich-Y-Groes is the highest paved road in Wales. 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. I asked. The British is named after the massive old ironworks that once dominated this area above Pontypool. Another climb with a fair bit of ascent to even get to the start. Scotland Bealach Na Ba Bealach na B is arguably the toughest climb in Britain. It's not quite the Alps, but it's a close as it gets in South Wales. The climb up here out of Ferndale is pretty tasty too. It's also available via Apple Newsstand and Readly. Climb summary by PJAMMs Brad Butterfield who documented this climb in 2018 and again in 2022 (Wales is one of 27 countries Brad has cycled and documented for PJAMM in addition to 16 US states). 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. 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. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. The climb is tough right away, then gets tougher still as you bend right into what is a small taste of things to come. The climb goes up a ridge to a small parking lot, where we saw two other cyclists. This page provides an excellent and comprehensive summary of the top, hardest and best bicycling climbs in Wales. 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. 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. (sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more). The surface is rough at first and steep from the outset, but improves as you pass over a cattlegrid and approach the double hairpin. The Netherlands: A trip through the lowlands. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Pass Gairnshiel Lodge and Colnabaichin. I was to discover that there is absolutely no objection to cyclists riding it, although few would be mad enough. Bwlch Penbarra to Jubilee Tower, 4. The Shelf - 262m - 5 to 15% - 5.1km #87. 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. Sign up with your email address to receive offers, news and updates. Most local riders know its here, we gave it the nickname the Baby Zoncolan but we all avoid it like the plague. Without being too hysterical, this climb is nothing more than a joyless straight line of pain. There is no dress rehearsal for this stretch of road, this is one take and one take only. ), and I recommend parking there and not attempting to traverse any part of the actual climb route in a car. You have to take each and every opportunity to recover when it is presented, no matter how slight he says. The superlative Bwlch y Groes is coincidentally ranked #2 most epic hill climb in Wales and 3 in all the UK. By the time that respite comes, you've climbed nearly 800ft. Visit our corporate site. The 1.9 mile route is memorable for its scary hairpin climb. But the end of the steep ramp is within touching distance. 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. Get info and context about new features. Approaching 20%, you crawl through harsh, boulder-littered scenery, a massive slog to the briefest of levels where the classification of the road changes public cars are allowed no further. Im now trapped on a two foot wide strip of rippled 30 per cent concrete fighting for survival. This spectacular virtual fly-through shows the stunning route of the 2016 Velothon Wales, Huge vintage clothing warehouse where you can get designer brands at a fraction of the price, The Thrift operates over a huge 12,000 sq ft and stocks big brands as well as a value section, Superdrug anti-aging cream called 'botox in a tub' by shoppers, Optimum Collagen Day cream is priced at 14.99. Since that first book, he's added 11 more, as well Ride Britain which showcases 40 inspirational road cycling routes. The climb lasts for almost a mile and has an elevation gain of 180 metres. 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. 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! But what is the attraction? 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. Over the course of the slog, you'll climb . 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. 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. for this page: 100 Greatest Climbs - A Road Cyclists Guide To Britains Hills; Cycling Climbs of Wales; see also https://www.100climbs.co.uk/books). While our Fiets list overlaps Simons for some climbs, the 2 lists do give you a nice sense of the objective and subjective Top 10 hardest Welsh climbs. Now on Station Road, take the third left after crossing the rail line on to Bushcombe Lane between the two 25% signs. #3 HARDEST WELSH CLIMB -BWLCH PENBARRA TO JUBILEE TOWER, Cycling Bwlch Penbarras to Jubilee Tower, Wales. On our climb, we encountered a car and had to back up nearly a kilometer to find a place where they could pass. Over the years, I've sought to climb as many hills as possible. Wales treated us quite well on our visit in August 2018. At this point, the climb would get significantly worse! 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. - they are the Gold Standard for cycling climbing in the UK. We relied heavily on Simon Warrens Top UK Climbs Series in ranking and documenting UK bike climbs (https://www.100climbs.co.uk/books) - they are the Gold Standard for cycling climbing in the UK. Stwlan Dam. This climb is simply a monster with several stretches in the red zone - above 16%, including one massive stretch at 20% for 200 yards. After a few slight rises the road surface improves dramatically and stretches far into the distance, taking the shortest route over the featureless ridge. Please check your inbox to complete the sign-up process and ensure you receive emails and offers from us in the future. It's a long drag, but not particularly taxing in the most part, rising through the trees with the rumbling of vehicles on the adjacent main road in the distance. If you want the privilege of having ridden the highest paved road in Wales, you'll need to earn it. The road to get to this climb is brutally narrow with thick shrubs blocking the views ahead. Have you tackled the toughest climb in your region? Bedlinog 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 Gospel Pass is 548 high. Snowdonia (Welsh: Eryri) is a mountainous region in north west Wales and a national park of 823 square miles (2,130 km2) in area. I'd waited a long time to ride this road, initially put off by its "private" status. With the wind on your back, it's one that can be tackled in the big ring on a good day. An altitude gain of 620ft in just a mile gives a clue about what kind of climb this is. It's all a bit of an optical illusion though. At the end of this long stretch, as we reach bend four of four. Mauna Kea, 2. 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. This was the advice of a local man as I approached the foot of this brutal climb last year. 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. This is largely due to its length of 9.32km. World Cycle Tours, Nutterswood Cottage, Nutters Wood, Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3PZ, United Kingdom.