5th hardest hill climb in Scotland.

Cycling Bealach Udal

Ride 2.5 miles gaining 900’ at 6.8% average grade.

 Man oh man, it is simply impossible to pick a favorite Scottish climb. They all bring the heat and Bealach Udal is no exception. The climb is on the picturesque eastern corner of the Isle of skye. The startpoint of our climb is also the pickup and drop off location for a small ferry that runs between the Isle and the mainland. There are some homesteads that are sprinkled on the lower hillside, but little other development in the area. Traffic will come in short waves as the ferry comes and goes, dropping three or four cars per go. The road is narrow, but not steep for most portions. The views get progressively better from the bay below and jagged mountains that surround our climb. Near the summit point, the road is charred into the side of the rocky mountain and has a significant dropoff beyond the guardrail. This is one of the most epic roads in all of the United Kingdom, in my humble opinion.

Take the Skye Ferry from Bernera to the ferry launch at Kylerhea across the Strait of Kyle Rhea.

This climb is on the Isle of Skye which is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Inner Hebrides (archipelago) of Scotland.  Skye has been occupied since the Middle Stone Age.

It’s a quick and fun ferry ride across the Straight.

You are leaving “civilization” behind at this point . . .

A lonely, yet epic, road.

Simon Warren ranks Bealach Udal as the 5th hardest bike climb in Scotland.

Stunning views along the climb.

Nearing the finish.

Finish

That’s a wrap!!