Distance 2 miles for the crux of the climb, 2.85 to junction at Rosedale Head

Max Gradient 20 to 25% (the sign says 25%)

Where do you find it?

You will probably have done the first two Westerdale climbs (elsewhere on the Hill Climb section), although you have the option of joining it from Castleton via New Road. After the descent from Hob Hole the first bit of this final ascent starts just before Westerdale Village.

Description

However you’ve ended up here, other than by car in which case you’re cheating, you will have already done several tough climbs, so this final Westerdale climb is always going to be a hard one. It’s long, exposed and if there is a brisk southerly wind it will have you on your knees. If you took an average gradient over its entire length I suspect that it would probably only come out around 5-6%. But that only tells part of the story as there are some really steep sections of around 20%. These are interspersed with sections where it is less steep where you can get some recovery and this is what saves you from…well, extreme pain.

After the short steep bit at around 15% just before the village the gradient then eases and you can fully recover as you leave the village and the road descends for a short while (it’s a bit like tackling Newlands Pass in the Lakes if you know it, though thankfully not quite as hard). Here the fun stops. Now prepare yourself for some hard work. The next section around 0.6 miles into the climb starts at around 12-15%, before going up to 20% for a short section, it then eases slightly before steepening again. The gradient varies all the way up the climb. After about 1.2 miles you get to another steep section, again around 20% for about 100 metres before it eases to maybe 5%.

Eventually… eventually, you crest this final steep section at around the 2 mile point and you can see the end at the top of Rosedale Head. There follows a mixture of long drag, almost flat for a while, before a final little steep section, not to be underestimated if you are on your knees into a headwind, brings you to the junction with the Castelton to Hutton le Hole main road just north of Ralph’s Cross. You can now enjoy the descent back to Castleton, the shorter journey to the Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge Top or you can extend your ride and descend into Rosedale if you fancy a bit more punishment!

A great descent this, you can see the road ahead quite clearly, it’s twisty, but not too twisty, so you can carry reasonable speed at least until the village, it is very steep in sections though so you need your wits about you.

Photos

The start, pace yourself

The first really tough section, steeper than it looks on the photo, the sheep aren’t so much of a problem going up, but going down

The last steep section, after this you’re nearly there, honest!

The top, right for the Lion Inn, left for the descent and Castleton Tea Rooms, don’t feel guilty you’ve earned your tea cake or pint, maybe both!

Our Ratings and Comments

Paul - 8. Can be a real slog, especially if you’re not on top form, always hard however you’re feeling

Dave - 8. Always a feared climb and an eye brow raiser! And it's a good test just to get there. I would agree it's probably not as steep as 25% But if you’re not on a great day the length begins to take its toll, once over the top it's a long drag to Ralph’s Cross, very difficult if there's a head wind, then it's all down hill to Castleton, just to note Westerdale is a very fast descent going back down and not for the faint hearted, 50mph + easily achievable

Note, the ratings are :

10 - Fetch a nurse!

9 - Dinner plate required

8 - Licking the front wheel

7 - Handlebar snapper

6 - Light up all the boilers!

5 - It's a difficult one (a homage to Sean Kelly)

4 - Dancing on the pedals

3 - Big ring

2 - No problem

1 - Where's the slope?