United Kingdom Nick of the Balloch
Nick of the Balloch Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

4.9
PDI
2.1 mi
DISTANCE
791 ft
GAINED
7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

Simon Warren ranks this as the 7th Most Epic Road Bike Climb of Scotland - the top 10 are: (1) Bealach na Ba, (2) Maovally, (3) The Wall of Talla, (4) The Lecht, (5) Mull of Kintyre, (6) The String, (7) Nick of the Balloch, (8) Ben Lawers, (9) Quiraing, and (10)  Lowther Hill. 

Visit our Top 10 Most Epic UK and also our Top 10 Most Epic Scottish hill climbs pages for photos, summaries and statistics for their respective top epic hill climbs. 

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CLIMB SUMMARY

one-lane narrow roadway next to green road sign for Balloch 

Cycling Nick (notch) of the Balloch, Scotland

Ride 2.1 miles gaining 791’ at 7% average grade.

The number one thing we can say about this climb is WOW!  This is the Pass of Balloch in the Carrick District of South Ayrshire in Southwestern Scotland, 55 miles south of Glasgow in Galloway Forest Park. After passing the only structure for miles around, you are completely on your own on this climb.

photo collage shows tiny, one-lane roadway, green pastureland, green informational sign for Galloway Forest Park, pink foxglove flowers

Nick of the Balloch is situated deep in the backcountry of Scotland. The road to the base of the climb is an amazing, one-lane, twisting road through pine trees and tall mountains. I parked just up from the start point of the climb on a large dirt section by the side of the road. Once on the climb proper, the road rises up out of the thick foliage and into the misty mountaintop air. Although the climb only rises about 700 feet, it has a high mountain feel as the top portion of the road is etched precariously into the mountainside with a guardrail protecting you from a steep dropoff. This scenery is truly jaw-dropping and screams “Scotland” around every turn. While the grade and distance of the climb is moderate, the scenery of this area makes the trip well-worth it.

street sign reads "Single Track Road"

The sign tells the tale of this route.

photo collage shows various greenery along roadway

It doesn’t get much greener or lusher than this one.

photo collage shows aerial drone views of narrow country road cutting into hillside, foggy conditions and guardrail to protect climbers from veering off road

Don’t fear, there’s a guardrail lest you stray too far towards the cliff.

aerial drone view of PJAMM Cyclist climbing alone up the roadway, snaking through the green Scottish hillsides

This is a desolate, lonely ride - it is absolutely EPIC!!

aerial drone views of dense, green forestation along the climb route

Unbelievably thick forest along the route.

bike parked against stone in green hillside at climb finish, foggy day

Finish - you are definitely alone on this one - and we loved it!

That’s a wrap!