Bwlch Penbarras Climb from Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd

A vicious climb from Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd which rises at 12% for 2km. Permanent climbing - and one bite will be sure to take any energy out of the legs.

It’s a pretty tough climb there are 2 routes to reach the pass. From the west side (from Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd) the road gains 260 metres (853 feet) in altitude in just 2.25km (1.4 miles), the first half of which is at a gradient approaching 25%, followed by an even-steeper hairpin bend before the gradient finally eases slightly. More than two kilometres in length, the climb is introduced softly but very quickly begins to rise steeply, reaching a fearsome crescendo as it bends left on a huge 25 per cent hairpin. The other route, the east side, has a less severe gradient, but from the summit it is dead-straight for over a mile downhill, which provides an exhilarating descent for cyclists who have struggled up the pass from Llanbedr. Its location also makes it an ideal segment to link up with other climbs in the area, including The Shelf and Horseshoe Pass.

Bwlch Penbarras is a mountain pass in the Clwydian Range, North-East Wales at 1,181 ft (360 m).

Besides being absolutely spectacular, it has been made very popular with cyclists and walkers, as a great place to either cycle up to on the road, or take the many gravel tracks from this point to one the summits, for example Moel Famau.

You'll find this pass on Simon Warren's 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs at number 88.