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| Great Climbs of the UK Much of the fun comes when the road goes up, though some of my friends do take exception to this view. And whilst I would be the first to admit that riding a bike up hill is hard work, the real fun comes when you get to the top and it's time to come back down. Many of the climbs feature in a recommended publication, 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs by Simon Warren.
Early days yet, but what I hope to build up here is an eclectic view of my own favourite climbs of the UK. I feel sure there will be those of you who will shout vociferously that I have omitted many of your favourites. But this is MY list, and I make no apologies for it.
So, here goes...
The Cat & Fiddle (1).
This has to be one of my favourite UK climbs, especially given the number of times I head south to ride it! The road heads east out of the centre of Macclesfield, Cheshire, starting at a modest
141m and climbing to the infamous Cat & Fiddle pub at the summit, reaching 515m over an 11km climb. After the initial 3km which is fairly steep, the gradient eases. At halfway you get a first glimpse of the top, still 5.5km away, but by then the hard part is over. There is even a downhill section after about 6km. Then it is onto the big ring and power to the summit. Whilst not especially difficult, it is a lovely climb with expansive views over the Cheshire countryside. Do it!
Total ascent: 417m
Distance: 11.4km
Average gradient: 3.7% The Cat & Fiddle (2).
The beauty of the Cat and Fiddle is that there are so many ways to climb to the summit. Perhaps the most enjoyable and scenic is up through the beautiful Goyt Valley. The single track road from the Goyt Valley Reservoir winds its way up through heather and bracken lined moorland at a gradient that is a joy to ride, until the last 1.5 km where the road does a sharp right at Derbyshire Bridge over a cattle grid and rises up at 10% before you finally see the pub on the skyline ahead. On a fine summer evening this has to be one of the most delightful climbs around. The trick is to join it up with the climb above to make it into a great evening ride. Total ascent: 225m
Distance: 6.4km
Average gradient: 3.5% Best time: 19' approx
Hartside.
This seminal climb up onto the roof of the Pennines, east of Penrith is one of our major hill-climb time trials. The climb proper starts in Melmerby on the main Penrith-Alston road, at 156m, climbing steadily to the Hartside cafe high up at 580m. As with the Cat & Fiddle, this is not a hard climb, but rather is steady all the way. As you climb through the trees lower down, the views across to the Lake District fells open out. The summit does not come into view until the last 2km or so, and there is a final 180 degree hairpin before the final ramp to the summit. As with the Cat & Fiddle, it is the length which makes this climb.
Total ascent: 424m
Distance: 8km
Average gradient: 5.3% Best time: 25' 37"
Stats link: click here
Bealach na Ba This must be one of the most amazing roads in Britain, indeed rated 11 out of 10 in the aforementioned book. It climbs from sea
level to over 2000 feet in just 6 miles, and winds its way through truly superb mountain scenery on the north-west coast of Scotland. The climb starts innocently enough, with a gentle ramp for the first couple of kilometers, then gradually the gradient steepens as the scenery gets more and more in your face. The last kilometer or so before the hairpins near the summit is horrendously steep at about 20% and seems to go on forever. The hairpins provide some respite and finally you top out and collapse to draw breath. Awesome. Don't forget to take in the views back down the pass. And if you can, try the Bealach sportive to get a taste of this magnificent climb. Total ascent: 616m Distance: 9km Average gradient: 6.8% Best time: 43' 1" Stats link: click here Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen Climbing north out of Llangollen on the road to Ruthin, Bwlch yr Oernant, or the Horseshoe Pass, is a dramatic climb featuring a
huge loop as it gets near the summit (hence the name). The climb proper starts at Pentrefelin, some 2 miles out of Llangollen and after a gentle section ramps up past the Britannia Inn. The climb is never truly steep but there are a couple of pitches that test the legs, and its length is enough to keep the lungs working. After the horseshoe, it eases and reveals dramatic views back down whence you've climbed. The final bend takes you to the summit of the climb with a sign for the ubiquitous photo. Total ascent: 317m Distance: 5.9km Average gradient: 5.4% Best time: 21' 10" Stats link: click here Great Dun Fell The north Pennines, east of Penrith in Cumbria features some big hills, notably Cross Fell (the roof of the Pennine chain) and neighbouring Great Dun Fell, more famously known for the golf ball structure on the summit.
At 847m, and with tarmac going all the way to the summit, it is a worthy challenge. Some might even say brutal. The ascent is essentially a there and back ride, rising from the village of Knock, near Dufton. Approaching Knock from the Eden valley, the golf ball hill dominates the countryside around and the hill looks incredibly intimidating. The road climbs almost immediately, and steepens in sections to what must be approaching 25%. Once above the cattle grid at about third distance the land opens out and the views over the Eden valley distract the mind from the pain. But there is little respite (a short flat section at about two-thirds distance) before the final steep section through a gully and suddenly the summit is near. There is still a little sting in the tail before the legs finally can rest. And then, of course, there is the glorious descent. Total ascent: 630m Distance: 7.6km Average gradient: 8.3% Best time: 37' 46" Stats link: click here Mennock Pass Scotland's Southern Uplands may not be the most dramatic of hills, but they have a scenic beauty which makes them well worth a visit. And the Mennock Pass, north of Dumfries, is certainly a climb to be tried and savoured.
It has featured on the Tour of Britain and is a real test, almost Alpine in it's nature. The climb from the west starts at the junction of the A76 at Mennock and the B797, heading up Mennock Water to Wanlockhead, reputedly Britain's highest village at some 1500 feet. The early part of the climb winds through a forested river valley before the hills suddenly rise up and you find yourself in a splendid winding gorge. Now the character of the climb changes as the gradient kicks up and it is time to work. The climb is never steep and it is possible to find a good rhythm for much of the ascent, until the final drag to Wanlockhead itself. The road now flattens through the houses before one last push up to the summit of the climb, at 470m. For the real masochists it is possible to continue the climb to the top of Lowther Hill at 725m, but this is a closed road and is rarely open to cyclists (or any other traffic). Total ascent: 360m Distance: 11km Average gradient: 3.3% Best time: 31' 50" Whinlatter Pass The Lake District has many high road passes, some far fiercer than Whinlatter it has to be said. This climb appeals due to its proximity and the fact that it is used as a hillclimb time trial by VC
Cumbria, thus allowing us to test ourselves regularly. The climb proper starts from just north of Lorton village, on the western flank, and eases its way up through High Lorton and into Whinlatter Forest. After about 2km it flattens, lulling the unwary into a false sense of security before a steep kick up and the lungs start to scream. The final 2km are easier and, with a tailwind, you can find yourself flying up through the upper reaches of the Forest to the summit, just before Whinlatter Visitor Centre. The views add to the pleasure of the climb, except in those time trials. And if you really fancy it, the climb from Braithwaite to the east is a real leg-breaker too, shorter at 3km but MUCH steeper. Total ascent: 246m Distance: 6km Average Gradient: 4.1% Best time: 18' 03 Kirkstone Pass Perhaps Lakeland's toughest pass, certainly the highest at 1492ft, this is a real tester of the legs and your willpower. Rising between the Windermere and Ullswater valleys, the A592 takes traffic from Windermere over to
Penrith. The climb from Patterdale in the north deceptively steep and there is the added 'bonus' that the climb is in full view all the way to the summit. Starting at Hartsop, the climb starts gently enough, but once past the Brotherswater Inn the serious work begins as the gradient kicks up. The sign stating 20% in 1 mile is a warning of what's to come, and it does not lie. If you get the chance take a peek over your shoulder cos the views back down the valley to Brotherswater are stunning. And it helps take your mind off the suffering. Finally, after a seemingly excruciating last 200m the gradient finally eases and the summit is reached. The Kirkstone Inn provides a welcome opportunity to recover! There are two routes up from the south, either the long drag up the A592 or the far harder grunt up the Struggle from Ambleside. But it is the climb from Patterdale which seems the most aesthetically pleasing. Total ascent: 295m Distance: 5km Average Gradient: 5.9% Best time: Approx 22'
Blackstone Edge, Yorkshire The Pennine moors south of the Calder Valley are high and rolling, in places almost inaccessibly steep. The B6138 which climbs south up Cragg Vale out of Mytholmroyd, east of Hebden Bridge, is an exception and offers a wonderful long and well-graded climb up onto the wilds of Blackstone Edge. The first few kilometres climb through wooded villages before the road finally emerges out onto open moorland. On a warm summer day this is hospitably good climbing, in the bleak midwinter it is exposed and not quite so friendly. The last 4 kilometers keep climbing relentlessly until the summit is finally reached at Blackstone Edge Reservoir. Good Alpine practice. Total ascent: 272m Distance: 8km Average Gradient: 3.4% Best time: 25' 55
Nick O'Pendle, Lancashire Used on the Tour of Britain in previous years this is a great little climb south of Clitheroe, taking the road over the Nick O'Pendle
before plummeting down to Sabden. Having crossed the A59 the climb begins immediately up the minor road onto Pendleton Moor. Gradually it ramps up with a couple of steeper sections as it crosses a cattle grid onto open moor. Here it hits a short 25% section which saps the tiring legs before a final push to the "nick" and a sprint round the final bend. The climb features in the Pendle Pedal sportive, and is a real tester coming late in the day. And one final noteworthy point, both Malcolm Elliot and Chris Boardman have won the National Hillclimb champs here in 1980 and 1988 respectively. Total ascent: 185m Distance: 3km Average Gradient: 6.2% Best time: 11' 25sec
Bollihope Common, Stanhope, Weardale This is a climb of two halves and rivals some European climbs in its length and difficulty. Taking the B6278 south out of Stanhope it is easy to be lulled into a false sense of security as the road
meanders alongside the river for a kilometre or so. Then the road takes a sharp right turn and heads into the sky. Brutal? Just a touch. This is Unthank Bank. The next 500m is a real wakeup call with hairpins and real out-of-the-saddle effort before it eases and you can settle into a bit of rhythm. Now the real climb begins as the road heads up onto Catterick Moss and open moorland. Real Pennine country, wild with it. Having reached the 400m contour after some 4.2km of climbing the road now plummets down to the Bollihope Burn and then rises once again on to Bollihope Common itself. This last part of the climb is almost Alpine in its nature and saps the legs before you finally top out at 511m and can take in the awesome wild views. Total ascent: 450m Distance: 9.5km Average Gradient: 4.7% Best time: Approx 35'
Buttertubs Pass, Swaledale Another Yorkshire climb, this is another classic and has featured in a number of national events including the Etape du Dales.
The climb south from Thwaite in Swaledale is, in my view, the harder and makes heavy demands on the legs with two steep 20% sections. The start is innocent enough, as the road drags up out of Thwaite village at a steady gradient before rounding a sharp right and then ramping up. This is hard. Having struggled up this section you could be forgiven for thinking the worst is over but another steady section with even a cheeky bit of downhill only softens you up before the final haul to the summit of the pass and collapse! The views back down into Swaledale make it all worthwhile (well, almost). Total ascent: 260m Distance: 4km Average Gradient: 5.6% Best time: Approx 15'
Bwlch Penbarras, Ruthin This can only be described as a brute of a climb. Short but not sweet, the climb starts at a minor road turn off the main A494
road to Mold and climbs through trees before opening out over a cattle grid. At this point a tough climb becomes brutal as the roads steepens to close to 30% and the legs scream. This continues for 250m before a left hairpin where the gradient is unrideable on the apex of the bend, the only option is to take it wide. After this it eases to a "gentle" 10% or so before the road swings back round the hillside and the summit comes into view. Now the sting in the tail as it pitches up again, never as steep as before, but enough to have you asking why, oh why you came this way! Then, finally, you crawl over the summit and collapse to recover. Great climb!! Total ascent: 249m Distance: 2.3km Average Gradient: 10.9% Best time: 14'56"
Moel Arthur, Ruthin As with Bwlch Penbarrra, this is another real brute. The Clwyd hills present a very steep approach from the west, there really is no easy way over them. Moel Arthur is no exception. Different in character, rougher and less well frequented than Penbarras, it offers a real challenge, especially to tired legs! It starts from the crossroads at Groes-Fawr, on a minor road north of Ruthin and the climb begins in earnest straightaway. Then it gets worse. Two sections of 25% test the willpower, before it eases and the slopes of Moel Arthue (the hill) hove into view. The last 600m or so are decidedly easier but the legs by now have little left to offer. The cattle grid at the summit is a welcome sight indeed. The views are good though!! Total ascent: 218m Distance: 2.3km Average Gradient: 9.5% Best time: 15' 05" | |
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