![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand narrow two-lane roadway on hillside, Summit Road West]()
Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand
Ride 5.6 kilometers gaining 538 meters at 9.7% average grade.
This is a must-do bike climb on New Zealand’s South Island and is the second hardest bike climb all of New Zealand.
![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand photo collage, road signs for Long Bay Road, Eastern Bays via Summit Road, aerial drone views of roadway]()
![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand road signs for Long Bay Road, Eastern Bays, Summit Road, winery, Christchurch]()
The climb begins by riding east on Long Bay Road from Akaroa on Banks Peninsula on the east side of South Island, New Zealand.
Climb summary by PJAMM’s Brad Butterfield.
This is one of those climbs where every single factor that could possibly come together on one mountain, does. The result is an unforgettable, albeit tough climb up from the bay near Akaroa up the “Summit Road.” The climb is exposed for the duration, offering postcard views of the surrounding jagged mountains, the serpentine bay, and the small wineries and farms sprinkled along the hillside. The climb is a wall from start to finish. There are a few sections which “ease up” but in the context of the climb, this still means six or seven percent.
![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand picture perfect views along the climb, green hillsides, blue skies, sign for wineries]()
![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand photo collage shows picturesque views looking back over Takamatua Bay from the climb]()
Views back to Takamatua Bay as we climb.
![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand photo collage shows more picture perfect views on the climb: green hills, blue skies, rolling hillsides]()
![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand photo collage shows signs for Long Bay Road, Akaroa Tourist Drive]()
Bear left onto Summit Road from Long Bay Road at kilometer 5.
![Cycling Summit Road West, New Zealand PJAMM Cycling's Brad Butterfield stands at climb summit with bike, giving thumbs up]()
That’s a wrap!