England · United Kingdom
Rosedale Chimney Bank
Rosedale Abbey to Hutton-le-Hole
A 1-in-3 climb out of Rosedale Abbey, 173 metres gained in just over a mile, with a hairpin near the top. Cyclists call it the Chain Breaker for a reason.
This minor road climbs out of Rosedale Abbey toward Hutton-le-Hole, gaining 173 metres in just over a mile and reaching a 1 in 3 gradient that ranks it among England’s steepest. The short brutal ascent is known to cyclists as the Chain Breaker before the road levels onto open North York Moors heather. Mind the sustained 33 percent gradient, hairpin near the top and the advisory against caravans.
Scenery
Best seasons
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Where it runs1.2 mi · point to point
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Character
Steeper than 9 in 10 roads here in the catalogue.
Corners
busiest around mile 1Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%155.4 – 261.4 mPoints of interest2 stops
- Rosedale Incline ChimneyLandmark1.2 mi in
- Abbey HeadsViewpoint0.3 mi in
Hazards
- 1-in-3 gradient
- Tight hairpin near summit
- Not suitable for caravans or HGVs
Sources
“The tarmac road approaching the pass is one of the steepest, toughest, and most spectacular climbs in Europe, with a gradient of 33%.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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