Anyone who talks about mountain biking in the United Kingdom will immediately mention Box Hill. This decisive climb, which was featured in the 2012 Olympic road race and the Prudential London Ride, is undoubtedly one of the most famous mountain bike climbs in the United Kingdom. But there are many other, lesser-known, climbs in the area that are just as beautiful in their own right. Unique challenges, unique views, and perhaps even more challenging than the climb south of London. In this article, we compare Box Hill with five other less well-known mountain bike climbs in the United Kingdom.
Read also:
- Surrey: the cycling area south of London
- Peak hunting: Cycling in the Peak District
- LEJOG is a challenge like no other
Preparation
When you go cycling in the United Kingdom, it’s useful to think about where you want to go. The island is quite large, and although you can cover a lot in a few days, choosing an area is a good idea. Think of the Lake District, the Peak District, Scotland, Wales or South England. Also bear in mind that the roads in the United Kingdom may be a little different from what you are used to. Also, driving on the left in the United Kingdom and you really need to take the weather into account. So if you are going cycling in the UK, you will need a good Packing list. Also plan your trip with hotels in advance
5 alternative climbs to Box Hill
Ditchling Beacon
Ditchling Beacon, located in Sussex, is a popular climb among cyclists. The sign at the start of the climb with ‘careful, 10%’ should be an indication. The average remains just under that, but the climb has a maximum gradient of up to 16%! You can also take in the Hever Hills landscape from the top here. Although not as famous as Box Hill, Ditchling Beacon is a beautiful climb in its own right.
Holme Moss
The Peak District, one of the most beautiful areas in England, is so beautiful just for the name alone. Peak hunting in the Peak District, and you automatically encounter Holme Moss, a challenging climb with gradients of up to 14%. The climb offers a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape and is regularly featured in the Tour of Yorkshire. That’s certainly a measure of quality. With 4.7 kilometers and an average of seven percent, it wasn’t for nothing that it was in the Tour de France and therefore in the TdY.
The Cat and Fiddle
The Cat and Fiddle, located in the Peak District, is a popular climb for cyclists. The climb has slopes of up to 10% and offers a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. With a length of ten kilometers and an elevation gain of a total of 333 meters, it is not the steepest climb in the world, but the length and the view make up for a lot! And keep in mind, the wind makes a big difference here. If you face it, you’ll be puffing and groaning on the bike. If you bring it along… you get the idea.
The Lecht
There is almost no more rugged area than the Scottish Highlands. We would like to cycle in this beautiful region again. If you are there, you will encounter a challenging climb with ‘The Lecht’, where you will have to put in a good effort. The climb has an average gradient of 20%. The climb offers a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and is a popular destination for road cyclists, gravel riders and mountain bikers. The climb is about four kilometers long and has an average gradient of about six percent.
Gospel Pass
Whether you will call for help from above when you see the name, I don’t know. Maybe you’ll get images of a swinging gospel choir in your head. You could just get into the right rhythm. Located in Wales, Gospel Pass is a challenging climb with slopes up to 12%. The climb offers a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape and is a popular destination for cyclists.
When you go cycling in the United Kingdom, we can certainly recommend one of these lesser-known climbs. Whether you’re a racing cyclist or a gravel biker, you can really let off your steam here. Here’s a nice route you can take to climb this pass.
Hotels and accommodation
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Questions & tips
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