Just 1.3 km long but climbing to a 33% gradient in places, Rosedale Chimney Bank has earned a reputation as the steepest road in the North York Moors, nicknamed “The Chain Breaker” by local cyclists.
An extreme gradient over a very short distance
From Rosedale Abbey, it’s 1.3 km for 173 m of elevation gain, averaging around 13%, with sections reaching 33% in places. The single-track road crosses the moorland of the North York Moors, a national park with well-preserved heritage.
A pass with a competitive history
The road hosted the British National Hill Climb Championship in 1987, where Paul Curran beat a young Chris Boardman by just 0.2 seconds, one of the closest hill-climb races in British cycling history.
Getting the ride right
An extra-wide gear range is almost essential for any hope of clearing the 33% sections without putting a foot down, as the climb’s brevity leaves no room to pace the effort gradually.
When to go
May to September, since the road surface can become dangerous when wet or icy on such an extreme gradient.
Good to know
Rosedale Abbey, the small village at the foot of the climb, makes a pleasant base for exploring the North York Moors, while Hutton-le-Hole, a few kilometres away, rounds out the ride with a typical Yorkshire village.
