Magnificently tough from either side, the climb from Garsdale Head station is iconic. The road has been resurfaced in 2017 and is now one of the best quiet stretches in the Cold Dark North.

Roadie Steve 🚴‍♂️

September 7, 2018

Road cycling

Difficult climb, important to get your gearing right (depending on your level of fitness). From Dent the climb maxes out at around 24%, the steepest part being early in the climb. It is a popular climb, also used in the annual Coal Road Challenge sportive.

Al Salter

September 11, 2020

Road cycling

Great challenge in either direction. Personally, I find the climb out of Dentdale the harder direction. It is steep at the start and is sustained climbing for a long way. The wind usually assists, but not much!

Routes here

Best routes to The Coal Road Climb

riders

1. Etape du dales north loop - Yorkshire Dales National Park

101km

05:26

1,820m

This difficult 62.8-mile road cycling route in Yorkshire Dales National Park features 5964 feet of climbing and scenic views.

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Hard

107

riders

2. Ribblehead Viaduct – Barbon Dale Road loop from Horton-in-Ribblesdale

107km

05:17

1,350m

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

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Hard

103

riders

3. Ribblehead Viaduct – Barbon Dale Road loop from Lancaster

123km

05:49

1,410m

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

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Hard

Details

Informations

Elevation 570 m

Weather

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Wednesday 4 March

12°C

1°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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Take Me There

Location: Garsdale, South Lakeland, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Newby Head Pass

Mallerstang Valley Road in Yorkshire Dales National Park

Deepdale Head Waterfall

Greensett Moss Tarn

Dales High Way

Ingleborough Summit

View of Dent Head Viaduct

Ribblehead Viaduct

Harper Gill Bridge

Whernside Trig Point

The Coal Road Climb

1. Etape du dales north loop - Yorkshire Dales National Park

2. Ribblehead Viaduct – Barbon Dale Road loop from Horton-in-Ribblesdale

3. Ribblehead Viaduct – Barbon Dale Road loop from Lancaster

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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