A Climber's Paradise: Exploring the Road Climbs of Monmouthshire

When Tour of Britain riders tackle the notorious Tumble twice in one stage, they'll be sampling just a taste of what makes Monmouthshire a climber's paradise. As the race prepares to take on this mighty Welsh ascent, join Lost Lanes author and Abergavenny resident Jack Thurston on a tour of the county's greatest road climbs.

At 5km long, rising 395 vertical metres up the Blorenge Mountain, the Tumble is Wales's most celebrated cycling climb. It was a Tour of Britain summit finish back in 2014, and this year's riders will double the excitement by tackling it twice. Yet before they reach the foot of the Tumble, they'll have completed an 87km loop around Monmouthshire, climbing almost 1,200 vertical metres. It's a beautifully designed route that showcases the county's abundance of cycling challenges.

Topographically, Monmouthshire is a bowl shape centred on the Vale of Usk with hilly terrain on three sides: to the east is a wooded plateau above the River Wye, to the north are the Black Mountains and the Herefordshire hills, and to the west is the former industrial heartland of the Valleys.

(A topographical map of Monmouthshire)

From the start line in Pontypool Park, the riders will head east to Usk before stretching their legs on the first categorised climb of the day. The Llangwm climb is a local favourite, offering a relatively gentle ascent of Golden Hill (7.8km, average 2.4%, max 7%) followed by a swooping, wooded descent towards Chepstow.

From Chepstow the race heads north on the B4239 for the second categorised climb to Itton Common. This ancient ridgeway route dates back to Roman times, and possibly even earlier. The Trellech plateau is dotted with Bronze Age standing stones and Iron Age hill forts, and riders will be treated to superb views across the Vale of Usk and a high speed descent into the historic county town of Monmouth.

Between Monmouth and Abergavenny, the race traces a route that’s much loved by local club riders, starting with a steady climb out of the Monnow Valley to Cross Ash then turning left onto the undulating rollers of the Old Ross Road / B4521. The third categorised climb of the race is over the shoulder of Skirrid Fawr, one of the county's most distinctively shaped hills.

(The Old Ross Road out of Abergavenny (c) Jack Thurston) 

After passing through Abergavenny, the riders will begin the first of two ascents of the Tumble, on a loop that takes them through Blaenavon and back to Pontypool before returning for a thrilling summit finish that could decide the overall outcome of the 6-day race.

(Mark Cavendish on The Tumble in 2014 - Jack Thurston)

But why stop there? The Tour of Britain route only scratches the surface of Monmouthshire's climbing riches. Here are seven more lung-busters that'll show you why this beautiful corner of Wales has hill-hungry cyclists coming back for more. And remember, what goes up must come down - the descents are every bit as thrilling.

Seven More Great Monmouthshire Road Climbs

1. The Blorenge (Advanced - prepare for punishment) Described by 100 Climbs author Simon Warren as the Tumble’s “evil twin”, this 5.2km long hidden gem has a gradient that hovers around 10%, with some sections well in excess of that. The first half is the steepest, with beech-lined holloways creating a tunnel of pain before the narrow, winding road breaks into open moorland to reveal some sensational views. This one is guaranteed to sort the sheep from the goats.

(Climbing the Blorenge)

2. The Rhiwr Road (Expert only - you've been warned) Simon Warren described this 1.6km climb as an "utter beast," and he wasn't exaggerating. At an average 13%, it's already a brute, but the middle section ramps up to a leg-shredding 21% that'll have you questioning your life choices. Starting at the bridge over the River Clydach, just off the A465, you'll pass the remains of the Clydach Ironworks before grinding through Clydach village to Waunllapria. If you somehow have energy left, you can continue to the B4248 towards Blaenavon and tackle the southern side of the Blorenge.

3. Llandogo to Beacon Hill (Advanced - a wolf in sheep’s clothing)  The River Wye and its tributaries have carved deep gorges and ravines in a limestone plateau that rises to just over 300m. The roads here offer an abundance of great climbs, and this is one of the most intense: 270 vertical metres over 3.8km. Don't be fooled by the modest 7% average gradient – this conceals some much steeper sections and the final pull up Beacon Hill is a sting in the tail. 

4. Wentwood from Llantrisant (Intermediate - forest ambush) This climb from just south of Usk into the Wentwood Forest starts innocuously enough, but features a killer middle section on a dead-straight ramp at a punishing 15%. Just when you think you've got the measure of it, it bites back hard.

5. Grosmont to Campston Hill (Intermediate - scenic brutality) With a name like Grosmont (Norman French for ‘great hill’), you'd expect good climbing nearby, and this one won't disappoint. From the B4347 southeast of the village (coming from Skenfrith), you're straight into a brutal ramp that takes you past the medieval castle, the church and the village pub. Hang a left to join the ridge road up Campston Hill, topping out at 273m. Continue westwards for dramatic views of Skirrid Fawr and the Black Mountains – if you can see anything beyond the stars dancing in front of your eyes.

(Skirrid Fawr - Jack Thurston)

6. The Sugarloaf (Advanced - dead-end difficulty) The road to the main walkers' car park is a serious challenge on two wheels. Starting from the Sugarloaf Vineyard on Pentre Lane just outside Abergavenny, you'll be instantly in the red zone as you battle to keep the wheels turning on a fearsomely steep lane. After a hairpin turn over the cattle grid, the gradient mercifully eases as you continue up beneath sessile oak trees. The views from 320m above sea level are everything you'd expect – and a worthy reward for the suffering.

7. The Kymin (Intermediate - historic heights) The Kymin is a hill overlooking Monmouth that once formed part of the Duke of Beaufort's vast Monmouthshire estates. The climb begins with a right turn off the A4136. A series of gruelling hairpins take you up and up until you reach the end of the road at the charming 18th-century Round House, Naval Temple and parklands, now cared for by the National Trust. On a clear day you can enjoy panoramic views down the Wye Valley, up into the Brecon Beacons and across to the Malvern Hills – a perfect spot to contemplate the masochistic joy of hill climbing.

Whether you're here to watch the Tour or planning your own cycling adventure, taking on  Monmouthshire's greatest cycling climbs is the perfect way to explore one of Britain's most beautiful and rewarding cycling destinations.

Jack Thurston is the author of Lost Lanes Wales, part of the Lost Lanes series of cycling guidebooks