By Alex Post
Last month we reviewed the Most Epic Climbs in the US , and now this month we expand to the world. There are of course numerous rides that could be included, but here we’ll follow the list created by the nicely done pjammcycling.com, which focuses on cycle climbing. This is purely their subjective opinion, but includes among other things, the length, vertical gain, average percent grade, and scenery.
The details for each of the 10 rides can found here.
https://pjammcycling.com/zone/216.Most-Epic-World-Climbs
Death Road, Bolivia
38.7 miles, 11,624 ft gain, 5.5% avg grade
I’ve seen pictures of this road before, with cars barely fitting along the cliff edge. But a bike, an easy fit! 12,624 feet of vertical gain though, not as easy. Combined with the beautiful jungle scenery, Pjamm ranks this as a truly exceptional and epic ride.
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Punta Olimpica, Peru
28.9 miles, 6,958 ft gain, 4.5% avg grade
In addition to the physical challenge, this climb is described as stunningly scenic, with mountains, glaciers, and lakes.
Passo dello Stelvio, Italy
14.8 miles, 5,972 ft gain, 7.6% avg grade
With 48 hairpin turns, it’s considered one of the most famous climbs in the world, and has been featured numerous times in the Giro d’Italia race.
Wuling Pass East, Taiwan
54.3 miles, 11,239 ft gain, 3.5% avg grade
Starting at near sea level, up to over 11k foot altitude, Wuling Pass is considered the second longest climb in the world, second only to Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea, Hawaii
42.5 miles, 13,755 ft gain, 6.1% avg grade
According to Pjamm, Mauna Kea is flat out the hardest climb anywhere in the world. A mind boggling ascent of 13,755 feet. Starting at the ocean and at the top having 42% less oxygen in the air.
Alpe d'Huez, France
8.7 miles, 3,543 ft gain, 7.7% avg grade
Considered the most famous climb in the world, it’s been featured 32 times in the Tour de France. It’s 21 dramatic hairpin turns have a beautiful mountain backdrop.
Hwy 27 - Atacama, Chile
21.4 miles, 7,410 ft gain, 6.5% avg grade
At over 15k foot altitude, this is the highest paved pass in the Americas. I’m the high Andes desert with little vegetation, it’s described at dramatically beautiful.
Al Jaadah Pass, Saudi Arabia
7.7 miles, 5,777 ft gain, 14.3% avg grade
With a brutal 14.3% average grade, Pjamm ranks this as the second most difficult climb in the world, second only to Mauna Kea HI.
Gotthard Pass, Switzerland
7.8 miles, 2,858 ft gain, 7% avg grade
The most famous pass in Switzerland, it has connected northern and southern Switzerland since medieval times. A couple miles of it is still cobblestone.
Pikes Peak, Colorado
24.2 miles, 8,007 ft gain, 6.1
One of the most iconic climbs not just in the US but the world, Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs is a long steep climb averaging 6.1%, and if not counting the couple small descents, it averages 7.9%.
