While it takes a gravel bike to get to the top (we have done it on 28mm’s but recommend a Rouibaix with 32mm knobbies), the unobstructed views of the Sonoma and Napa Valleys at the top are unparalleled in Wine Country.Ĭycle 3.8 miles gaining 1,980’ at 9.9% average grade. This is the hardest bike climb near our hometown of Santa Rosa.
Ride 4.1 miles gaining 2,050’ at 9.5% average grade.
The climb begins at the southeastern end of Lexington Reservoir and is a very peaceful bike ride with little to no vehicular traffic. This climb ends dead ends at a locked gate, but there are three other great climbs within a couple of miles of the start that offer ample climbing in this area. Ride 5.4 miles gaining 2,415’ at 8.5% average grade. The third toughest climb in Santa Clara County. Be sure to stop and check out Alba Schoolhouse about two miles up from the start. Even with its rural location, this is a very popular climb. Located in the forested area of Ben Lomand, this climb is a distance from the hustle and bustle of the Silicon Valley. Ride only 3.8 miles but gain 2,040’ at 10.3% average grade. Ride through the redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains on this demanding climb. As for popularity, South Gate to Junction had 71,790 Strava attempts as of Septemversus only 36,589 for the equivalent segment from the north. The North Gate route to the summit is a bit more difficult to Summit Road than South Gate (7.9 versus 6.1 miles, and 5.4% versus 4.5%) and a bit more exposed with less shade.
Diablo offers the best full 360° views of anywhere in the Bay Area. Diablo in the east bay is the most popular bike climb in the Bay Area. The ride to the Beacon and Visitor Center atop Mt. Ride 12.4 miles gaining 3,680’ at 5.5% average grade. On this climb, th e grade increases with each mile – the first mile is 5.8%, mile two is 8.8%, mile three is 12.8%, and finally, the coup de grace: a whopping 13.4% for mile four. Mix Canyon is the steepest 2.5 mile bike climbing segment in California and #7 in the US. The Mix Canyon climb is along a narrow two-lane (or wide one-lane?) road in a remote area of Solano County near Vacaville. Ride 4 miles gaining 2,190’ at 10.5% average grade. Ride from the heart of wine country to 4,000’ with unobstructed views of Napa, Lake, and Sonoma Counties. In our opinion, the best views from the top of a bike climb in the Bay Area are: (1) Mt. Although the last half of this climb is on dirt and gravel (Roubaix or gravel bike with 30-32mm knobby tire in the back is recommended) do not let that deter you. Diablo offer the only true 360° views of the valleys below. Out of all the bike climbs in the Bay Area and Northern California, Mt. This is a very challenging bike climb at 11.5 miles gaining 3,815’ at 6% average grade. From the peak beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountain range can be enjoyed. Umunhum has been newly restored and revived by the Midpeninsula Open Space District (MOSD), and has been recently reopened for public access. Umunhum is one of the highest peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, and is part of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. Hicks-Umunhum South begins at the western end of Almaden Reservoir. Umunhum is the second most difficult bike climb in Santa Clara County, behind only Mt. How does Umunhum rank in Santa Clara County, California, the United States, and the world, compared to the other top bike climbs? That’s the profile of a very difficult road bike climb. Umunhum Cube, a five story Cold War era radio building built in the early 1960’s that is now out of commission. Although the climb officially ends short of The Cube, be sure to continue another 1½ miles from the finish to the Mt. This is the most difficult bike climb in the the Bay Area, and one of the most popular as well. Ride 5.1 miles gaining 2,673’ at 10% average grade. ??⛰? If you live in or spend much time in the Bay Area, be sure to ride the five climbs shown above at least once - you won’t be sorry.Ĭycling Hicks Road-Mount Umunhum from the north (the southern tip of Guadalupe Reservoir) While the Top 10 Bay Area Climbs List below is objective (based on the Fiets Index), our Fave Five (collage above) are purely subjective, but based on a lot of bike climbing in the Bay Area. Below are brief summaries of each, along with links to our climb pages for the Top 10 San Francisco Bay Area Bike Climbs. Those climbs are found in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Napa, Marin, and Sonoma Counties. We have documented all of the top climbs in California’s Bay Area. The Bay Area is a fantastic destination for climbing by bike.