7 Highest Climbs In Europe - Europe's Most Epic Climbs By Bike

We scoured maps and race results to find the seven highest paved road climbs in Europe. Let us know your most epic climb in the comments!
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Whether you're riding up your local hill or one of the Cols of the Tour de France, you really get a sense of achievement when you climb by bike. But, what about the climbs that are so hard, so long and so high that they're rarely used in pro cycling? Here are the seven highest roads in Europe - have you climbed any of them?
If you're attempting any of these climbs, you'll probably need a compact chainset and a bigger cassette...
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Watch more on GCN...
How to train for long climbs ▶︎ gcn.eu/1NatKWJ
The ten toughest climbs in the United States ▶︎ gcn.eu/1qJJzth
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Photos: © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphot... & ©Tim De Waele / www.tdwsport.com
Additional Photo Credits:
Kaunertal Photos (via Flickr creative commons)
© Kurt Rietzler [flic.kr/p/9pfBGF]
creativecommon...
© Carsten - check out his album here: flic.kr/s/aHsi...
creativecommon...
Stelvio
© Jussarian - check out his album here: flic.kr/s/aHsj...
creativecommon...
© FORPRESIDENT MELONI [flic.kr/p/aPatP2]
creativecommon...
© Andrew and Annemarie [flic.kr/p/d63M4Q]
creativecommon...
Col de L’Iseran
Col de la Bonette
© Rafal Zelazko [flic.kr/p/h4ASzZ]
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© BMR & MAM [flic.kr/p/oYXNPc]
creativecommon...
By Ulflulfl - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Ötztal Glacier Road
By Themenmixer [flic.kr/p/6VrKgT]
creativecommon...
© Ötztal Tourismus
Pico de Veleta
Por los caminos de Málaga - album here: flic.kr/s/aHsk...
creativecommon...
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Leave us a comment below!

[@ikilledosama88]

This video is proof that we need to see more pro cycling in Austria

[@KeithFlint350]

this is THE reason why I moved there. Beautiful country. Perfect for cycling!

[@stickyschannel8497]

@@KeithFlint350 what's your opinion about it after 2 years? and from which country did you move from?

[@rik5384]

I am now 15 years old, but when I was 13 years old, I climbed the Veleta together with my father and a Belgian guy. We started at camping Las Lomas and went through Güejar Sierra, but the best part is that we did it on our mountainbikes

[@sanderkommeren2848]

Last December I climbed the Haleakala Volcano on Maui. Now that was an epic climb: from sea level to just over 3000 meters (or 10.000 feet) in 58 km. Unfortunately the weather turned for the worst after 40k, but i refused to give up. I was so cold that in the last 2 km I had to get into the car and warm up for half hour. But i made! #GCNepicride

[@SwedishHouseFifa]

My epic climb to my home, 430 meters long (yes i have made a exact measurment) and 3.4% average, EPIC!

[@gamma_dablam]

😅

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

Grossglockner in Austria. 41 km climb to around 2500 meters. The last bit on cobbles. Views are stunning.

[@sammyngichabe8355]

Grand St Bernard..40 km climb...last 6km most brutal before dropping into Italy in Àosta.I loved it

[@PeLuK2303]

Cerro de la Muerte (Mountain of Death) 3491 mts Costa Rica Length:48 km Avg Gradient: 6% You start in a super hot weather (30ºC - 39ºC) and finish with a cold weather (1ºC-13ºC) EPIC CLIMB!

[@SSEF15]

When is GCN going to attempt the Angliru? Bring Lasty

[@fabiancancellara1]

Teide in Canarias (Spain) is 50 km long

[@santiagostozitzky262]

Hello! I wanted to say that according to my understanding in Colombia (I am from there) there is the hardest climb in the world that has been part of a professional race. It is called Alto de Letras from Mariquita. It starts in Mariquita, a little town with about 600 m above sea level and ends in Alto de Letras in the Andes at 3500m above sea level. It is about 80 km long!! You should come and try it some day!! The gradient is close 6%-7% all long with maximum 10% I think for some kms

[@mennodejonge173]

Kitzbüheler Horn: Avg: 12.9%, Length: 9.7km

[@KinrossSkate08]

That's a fun one

[@AlexandruNicolaePatrascuMiclut]

Transfagarasan (Romania) 120 km, 24 km of hard climb on each part, avg 6,5%, max grade 33.3%, elev. gain. 2622m, highest point 2066m. Transalpina - Romania (from Novaci to Sebes) 135 km, you have 4 hard climbs, first: avg climb 8%, max grade 15% and you reach from 490 m to 1568 m, the climb has 15 km, second: avg climb 9%, max grade 13,6% and you reach from 1595 m to 2111 m, the climb has 10 km, third: avg climb 5%, max grade 10% and you reach from 1925 m to 2100 m, the climb has 3 km, fourth: avg climb 5%, max grade 11,8% and you reach from 1342 m to 1686 m, the climb has 8 km.

[@dylanwillick7919]

The most epic climb I've ever heard of goes from Hilo to Mona Kea on the big island in Hawaii, it is 42.6 Miles long, has 14,056 ft of elevation gain and averages 6.1%. It goes from sea level to 14 thousand feet

[@passageweather]

What about Teide in Tenerife? It's 36.7km up a 6% gradient (11% max) from sea level to 2,190m...

[@gamma_dablam]

That’s not that high That’s a ‘tall’ climb. Not a high one

[@slimjimmypage]

Haleakalā has to be the most epic climb in the world. 35 miles up a volcano from just above sea level to over 10,000 feet without any descents. The worst part is at the top, too. The road gets steeper in the last 10 miles (about 10% average if I recall correctly) and then it throws in a series of switchbacks. It's often referred to as the longest paved climb in the world. I think a Hawaii trip is in order.

[@DezGP]

+slimjimihendrix Hands down Haleakala is the most epic.

[@quarkonium3795]

If you're looking for the longest continuous paved climb in the world then Mauna Loa is actually almost twice as long as Haleakala-62 miles from the ocean to the summit. It's closed right now but Wuling Pass East is 54 miles

[@jamesnickless7664]

Now make Lasty cycle up them all!!!!

[@NielsHeldens]

Poor Lasty, the guy never gets a easy day doesn't he.

[@gcn]

+James Nickless Definitely!!

[@oscarlaight6493]

+Global Cycling Network hmm.... Guys, I'm starting to think lasty is becoming a sort of 'toy' that you throw up the hills😂 poor guy

[@rikkiola]

+RTD RD Tha Vegan Not sure that was just his climbing face

[@jamesnickless7664]

+rikkiola 50 Shades of Last

[@tonniebittburg5310]

Definitely not the hardest, but I think the old road tot the Gotthard Pass in Switzerland, The via Tremolla, is pretty epic! It runs over cobbles and there's a lot less traffic than on the main road

[@gneinful]

Wuling pass in Taiwan. 3,275 metres at the top. I've done it twice and thinking about a third time later this year. You can actually climb it from near sea level from Taroko.

[@allanullmann299]

Climbed Pico de Valeta this July, brutal.

[@luismen2409fer]

Collado del Condor, Venezuela.. goes from 500 metres from sea level to 4100 in 120 kms of climb... 120kms!!

[@mediumrick7667]

Onion Valley Road in California's Eastern Sierra. Length: 12.5 miles Average Grade: 7.8% Elevation Gain: 5169ft. Altitude at Summit: 9200ft.

[@quarkonium3795]

I love that climb. Did it over the past summer and it was absolutely beautiful. It's relentless too; there's never a flat section where you can catch your breath which makes it harder than the nearby Horseshoe Meadows

[@nzti325]

Pikes Peak in Colorado! Tops out at 14,000+ feet!

[@redauwg911]

+Patrick Brandt Yes, Pikes peak 4267 meters

[@liamvf1069]

Mount Evans in Colorado is almost 50 meters higher and Trail ridge road in Colorado is also over 3500 meters

[@kamolhengkiatisak1527]

Taiwan KOM Challenge was first held a few years ago, starting from the sea level (at the beach front town) rising steadily to the peak of HeHuan mountain at 3275 meter high for a distance of 105 km. I was told about this from my friend and googled it and found it quite challenging in youtube. From my home country, a climb of 48 km from the town of Chomthong, Chiang Mai to the peak of Doi Intanon at 2565 meters is quite a challenge. My best record when I was 55 was 5 hours and when I was 60 was 6.01 hours. The best record was held by a French man who has a wife locally and now lives in the north of Thailand, Peter Pouley, was held this year at exactly 2 hours!

[@Maxmaxz]

Hi GCN, I'm looking for a job, and wondered if you were hiring for the position of Deputy 'Guy who Places the Subscribe Globe at the End of Videos'. It looks like an awful lot of fun, and I think I've got a very marketable skillset for it. Looking forward to hearing from you, M

[@CONTMPORARY]

Mount Evans. The highest paved road in North America and tops off at 4,310 meters, around 1000m higher than the highest road in Europe! It is 45 km long and has 2100 meters of climbing.

[@pspboyplayer24]

heyy!! you guys could do a series of videos about climbs in each country that you ride like top 5 climbs from Spain, italy etc.. or you could get well inform and talk with your viewers and chose climbs, one form each country following the video top ten countrys to ride!!

[@JuanCardonaMuriel]

Alto de letras, Colombia. Length: 80,7 km. Average gradient: 3,95%. Max. gradient: 11%. 3187 m elevation climb, peak at 3677 meters.

[@CB19655]

Roque de los Muchachos 41 km from the harbour of Santa Cruz de la Palma up to 2426 m - epic and sooo beautiful :-))

[@experiment54]

GCN Does The 7 Highest Climbs In Europe For Charity - All Whilst Broadcasting Each And Everyday

[@jimmycrackedcorn226]

+experiment54 Only if Lasty does the climbs! His suffer face is priceless

[@experiment54]

jimmycrackedcorn226 they all do the climbs. Thats the point of my post.

[@FranciscoGarcia-ze5hg]

Alto de La Linea (Colombia) from the west: 21,7 km / starting altitude 1653 m / finish at 3265 m / 7,62% average (13% max).; from the east: 23,35 km / starting altitude 1.412 m / 6,05% average (14% max).

[@RM-mx3tk]

Agnello done several times - Stelvio done - Bonette done, several times . Not bad... ;-)

[@ufae0441]

Taiwan KOM , 105 KM , 0-3272 meters.

[@simonrano8072]

+Ayrton Chen Mauna Kea, 69 km, 1-4192 m a bit steeper ;)

[@memorablename5187]

Transfăgărășan in Romania is a cool climb, I have been up it in a car. its 60miles long 2100meters high. theres a really weird lake at the top above the clouds its quite eerie.

[@memorablename5187]

+Raymond Berry you would probably die going up it on a bike in the winter, its pretty much arctic up there in winter

[@l0ckpEEk]

i've cycled that pass and it was definitely not 60 miles. and the peak is around 2030 I believe.

[@miguelba13]

Mauricio Soler! Colombian Climber! great to see his picture on this GCN video. One of the greatest Colombian riders!

[@finnnation]

ALI SAN in Taiwan, 54km. Done it two times in the Tour de Taiwan, both times about 30c at the bottom and near freezing at the top!

[@h4nn0S]

From Bolzano to the Passo di Pennes. It's a climb over ca. 2000 meters on ca. 45 km, if you start outside Bolzano. Take care of the tunnels!

[@manoX1234567]

I dont wana be rude but you described here only roads where main races are. You didint mentioned transfagarashan in romania. 61km one sine 36km other side. Trans alpina etc. last year i whent on stelvio and is less hard then transfagarashan. Sorry for my english maybe i mad mistekes here and there in spelling. English is not my native.

[@quarkonium3795]

Those are not as high though. These are the highest climbs in Europe

[@TheLightning14]

Mount Lemon in Tucson, Arizona USA. 30 Miles of climbing 4.3 % average grade with 7000 feet of elevation gain. Tops out at 2773 meters of altitude or 9100 ft.

[@jacopobilli]

Colle del Nivolet, Piemonte, Italy. More than 40 kms climb and beautiful landscape!

[@sameddy7560]

Epic climb: Mt Baw Baw, Victoria, Australia 6.5km 10%+ max grade 22%

[@MangoMamaa]

Sweet! But nothing compared to Colombia! There's hundreds of climbs and quite a few of them are pretty epic! The advantage over here though is, that you'll have nice weather year round!

[@gukakmakuk]

+Mango Mama , there´s in vuelta a colombia.. "paramo de letras"52 kms. alto de minas ,48km. la linea22km(very steep), alto del tigre , alto del trigo, etc

[@MangoMamaa]

gukakmakuk I've done Letras, La Linea, el Trigo! Check out the videos on my channel! I've just recently done a tour and climbed up all these hills! :)

[@gukakmakuk]

+Ronald Schuetz what is the average inclination for "letras"

[@MangoMamaa]

gukakmakuk Letras only has about 4%. There's quite a few parts going downhill in the beginning, but the last 20km's are the hardest at an average at 7% and 8%.

[@MangoMamaa]

***** I always wanted to go to El Ruiz, but I don't have a mountain bike! I think my next tour will be to the coast and back, via B/manga and Medellín! :)

[@posung7356]

Taiwan KOM Challenge, From Sea level (0 m) to Peak of the mountain (3275 m) total distance 105km. AVG Gradient 5%, Greatest Gradient 27.3%.

[@AdriWestSide]

Officially the Col d'Agnel is 21km length, but in reality it's begin to climb 22km deepest : you must have to climb 20-25km at 3%, 10-12km at 6% and the 9 last km are at 9,3% !! It's really one of the 20 more difficults european cols! (but very far of the difficulty of Angliru, Kitzbuhel Horn or Zoncolan 😇) (sorry for my frenchy english 🙈)

[@RM-mx3tk]

Among those 3, the most impressive is the Bonette from St. Etienne. Just go there in a late July Monday morning. It will be just you, your bike and no one else for 25 km, up to the Moon.

[@SuperMeatyhead]

Must include tiede in Tenerife because this is where all the pros train ready for the coming season therefore it is the most common climb in Europe

[@andrepaiva7393]

Serra da Estrela, Portugal 1993 metters 32km 8.6%

[@woozertoo]

Only heard of the Stelvio Pass after seeing the Top Gear episode, but I didn't know cyclists rode there too--wow!

[@rafael-mihaigrigoriu6870]

Don't forget the Transfagarasan climb . 25 km and beautiful view...It is most epic climb from est Europe , and is in Romania .!

[@Wouteratutube]

Isla La Palma, Roque de los muchachos (northwest Side) 30,8km, 7,3%, 2.265m

[@rory5342]

Editor mugged you off at the end there Si

[@GBWallace]

In Slovenia, Mangrt climb from 300 up to 2000m in 17,5km. There is even a race once a year

[@rik5384]

the steepest points of the veleta get till 23% gradient, measured by the organisors of the Vuelta

[@liambarber9036]

GCN should climb the steepest climb in Washington state, Hurricane Ridge. great views.

[@socrmania3]

The Mt. Evans Scenic Byway in Colorado. From Idaho Springs to the top of Mt. Evans the road stretches 28 miles, climbs more than 7,000 feet and tops out at 14,130 feet above sea level. It is the highest paved road in North America. There is a Gran Fondo and a Pro Race to the top every year. bicyclerace.com/

[@liviulucan]

Guys, you should try the Transfagarasan road in Romania; Top Gear has an episode presenting the road.

[@mateagoston7113]

Further interesting fact about Stelvio Pass can be that it's mostly on the Top 10 list of the most dangerous public roads in the world.

[@MannuelCorona]

See as you GCN enjoys Glendora Mountain Road in California you guys should try going to Crystal Lake. If the name doesn't sound scary enough it's over 30 km from Azusa canyon (the 39) to the little store that sells a great chili.

[@driewiel]

The Mountain Street in my village. Almost 20mtrs high. If you ever come to the Netherlands it should be on your list!

[@gukakmakuk]

Alto del escobero , held on vuelta a colombia , only 7 km long but one of the steepest anywhere (mountain bike gearing)

[@matthewstewart4469]

You guys should check out Clingmans dome in Tennessee. It's part of the great smokey mountains almost 5000', over a 20 mile climb...having done it I would certainly call it epic!

[@CJC94]

There's a climb in Colombia called the Alto de Letras which is a whopping 80km long at an average of 4% gaining 3,800m in altitude, maybe one for GCN's epic climbs???

[@pedrorodrigues3342]

There are some good climbs in Portugal. The ascent to the Trevim (27km 4%) and Serra da estrela, Torrer (28km with 5% gradient with 2 km downhill ) there is some nasty parts in this climb...

[@radog7769]

Khardung La, 5400 m, India. Did it back in 2004 alongside other 5000+ passes

[@quarkonium3795]

Isn't Umling La now paved to almost 5900 m?

[@NeoDerGrose]

Passo Stelvio has the last remaining summer ski resort in all of Europe. By that I mean you could only go there from spring to autumn, it's closed during the winter. No wonder it's cold up there.

[@mrwhiteshorts]

Come on GCN, you better do a top 10 climbs in the UK! (make sure you fully explore Scotland before making a video) :) cheers

[@davidhellyer5353]

Sonora Pass California. Several spots over 23% Top is at 9800'

[@estebantamayo6720]

As epic climbs go, you can't miss two monsters in Colombia. The more famous one, "Letras" (strava segment: www.strava.com/segments/5608251 ) is 80km long with 3200 vertical metres gained, topping out at close to 3700 meters above sea level. Then, a less travelled one is "El Crucero" (no strava segment yet! I'll be mapping it next month!, so see here: www.altimetrias.net/usuarios/graficos/Elcrucerocompleto00.gif ) is an insane 95km climb, also gaining 3200 vertical meters, and topping off at 3450 above sea level.

[@estebantamayo6720]

+Esteban Tamayo Definitely will be hurting after these two.

[@Ride4Fun]

I just bought a book with 50 the most known climbs in Europe ... this vid came just in time :)

[@AngelValdovinos]

L.A. TO BAKERSFIELD THROUGH THE 5, BRUTAL

[@bogdan123si]

quoting Top Gears @Clarkson for Transfagarasan road in Romania. "This is the best road in the world". Have a look on it :)

[@ochai2055]

I have climbed the Stelvio Pass. It was the one where I crash badly on the descend.

[@matiashenriquez6749]

Check out "escalera al infierno" in México, 20 kms over 10% average gradient

[@albertomoralesesteban3976]

YES, YES. YES . VELETA SIERRA NEVADA 3.400Mt good documental, GCN up!

[@pablogubert]

Estrada da Graciosa in Brazil. Around 1000 elevation gain on cobbles.

[@LaughingSaint66]

Halekala on Maui and Mauna Kea on big island two hardest climbs in the world !

[@vegforce4518]

The most epic climb I know: Ecuador, Parque Las Cajas from 100m to 4100m. Around 60km. 30°C to 7°C. Excellent road surface. Café above cloud level at around 2000m.

[@jasonstevenson110]

4100m is completely insane.

[@SlowBoyAthlete]

brilliant video, thanks!

[@laugierarthur10]

If you go in France do the Mont Ventoux !!

[@howardkam4476]

Haleakala on Maui is a serious epic climb!

[@liocla2331]

Did L'Iseran from Bonneval, and oh dam the opening 2 kms were hard, still it was fun

[@Nikhil4827]

try the Himalayas its much more grueling u can't rate any grades or name any climbs but if u actually try to plan a ride the problem would be the lack of facilities and weather and other stuff

[@carlosormani9082]

Hi GCN, staying in Europe, check Mt. Zoncan. And of course the Giro's legends such as Gavia, etc.

[@carlosormani9082]

Typo: Zoncolan

[@schumi246]

You guys still have to come do Pikes Peak, it may not start until 6600 feet (2000m), but it goes all the way to 14,110 feet (4275m). My garmin was saying 9-11% for the top half of the climb.

[@squatchy69]

+schumi246 Yea. It's a tough haul. I've ridden to the top of Mnt Evans as well. Even higher.

[@TheSergihf]

Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga, Bola del Mundo... Spain should have at least 3 climbs in this video..

[@ananthaviswanathan918]

khardung la pass ( 40kms 5.5% avg.) 3300m to 5500m in India 😊

[@TheJackhomie]

Taiwan K.O.M. He Huan Mt. climb 3275meters of vertical ascending. starting from sea level to the highest paved road in Taiwan.

[@dco1884]

Mt. Palomar, CA (south grade) lots of turns and switchbacks

[@noblewinestunbridgewells6487]

Agnel in September *and 13 other minor lumps, can....not....wait!

[@commendario]

Monte Grappa in Veneto (Italy)!!

[@tanducnguyenthu2356]

last should try all of them!

[@mateuszzdyb3547]

pico de areiro in madeira, 1800 odd elevation, with avg gradient i think over 10% AND SECTIONS WITH OVER 20% gradient. brutal.

[@vladthebikeguy4763]

Transalpina or Transfăgărășan in Romania, a good challenge for your climbing skills

[@Matthias947]

Already did some of them. Great roads!

[@lisagoulet138]

Col du Tourmalet - it may not be the highest but sure is challenging.

[@dul22]

Did the Agnel (french side), best thing I ever seen ! And no trafic at all

[@cbgr27]

Lacets de Mont Vernier, France

[@debitoews5832]

Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park in Washington State.

[@colombianflag717]

cool videos guy's keep the good work

[@jackwu2199]

torqueback I started cycling more seriously about a year ago but have found that i get bored of the same roads. At first i loved exploring and discovering new roads, especially country lanes and now i have been cycling for a while, i have lost that feeling of exploring new places. I have tried to experiment with different routes but recently i have noticed that i have been on all the roads suitable for cycling near my area several times already. How can i be less bored on the bike and less bored with using the same roads (without going on an expensive training camp)?

[@giorgiocomande1855]

Etna, catania, Sicily, sea level to-3200m !!! enjoy