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Cycling Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts
Ride 1.8 miles gaining 768’ at 8.1% average grade.
Photo: Mass.gov
This is a challenging albeit short bike climb to the peak of Mount Holyoke (935’) in Skinner State Park. Be sure to warm up for this one as its most difficult quarter mile (12.3%) begins almost immediately.
The road is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
“Mount Holyoke is a short and steep ascent within Skinner State Park that dead ends very close to the top of the mountain. Through dark woods for the most part, the hill begins over shallow and gradually increasing grade. As you swing 90 degrees to the left the slope picks up to double digit for a stretch. It then becomes variable, including a small descent, and the route twisty. Toward the top are several S bends to negotiate with a bit more stout grade. A final right hand turn leads to double digit grade and a small parking area and views. Keep riding beyond, right up to roads end for the full climb.” (This quote is provided with the approval of John Summerson from his book, The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in the Northeast, pg. 82.)