United StatesVirginia Wintergreen Drive
Wintergreen Drive Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

7
FIETS
7.2 mi
DISTANCE
2,896 ft
GAINED
7.7 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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Page Contributor(s): John Summerson, The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike), 2nd Edition; Dan Razum, Campbel, CA, USA.

INTRO

“The climb to Wintergreen is likely the most difficult in the state of Virginia and it is one of the most difficult in the Southeast United States. Located in the central part of the state it is somewhat isolated but well worth the effort to get there. Shallow to begin, the grade gradually increases as you ride along Route 664. Through thick woods in places the grade gets steeper as you head west. Scenery and little traffic most days creates a pleasant start to the ascent…” (This quote provided with the approval of John Summerson from his book The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in the Southeast, pg. 120.)
All climb here - 7.2 miles at 7.7% average grade and 0 descent.  32% (2.3 miles) of the climb is at 0-5% grade, 33% (2.4 miles) is at 5-10%, and 35% (2.5 miles) is at 10-15% - the grade never exceeds 15%.  The steepest quarter-mile is 12.8% and there is on continuous mile at 12% grade. 

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Excellent condition.

Traffic:  Moderate the first three miles on Highway 664, moderate the next 2.8 miles to Wintergreen Resort, and mild for the last mile on Devils Knob Loop. 

Parking:  We asked to park at the gas station just before the start of the climb.  Map;  Street View. 
Provisions:  At the gas station at the start and In Wintergreen at mile six.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
This climb is near a couple of climbs on the great Blue Ridge Parkway - Use the “Routes in Area” button in the menu to see what other climbs are in the area on the BRP. 

You can stay in Wintergreen near the resort, and there are house rental options available in the area as well.

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Strenuous
5
Road
4
Traffic
3.5
Scenery

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Jan 26, 2023
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 3
traffic: 4
road: 5
Jan 26, 2023
scenery: 3
traffic: 4
road: 5
There used to be a hill climb race up this back in the 00's, I've ridden it maybe 5 times. First 3 miles from the Brewery are slowly rising, then you make a harsh right turn into the ski resort access and it's pain for 5 miles to the top. Pavement is great. No real expansive views, you're in the woods most of the time. It can be a lot colder at the top, especially in spring & fall. I last road it August 2019 as the start of a 90 mile ride that ended at Peaks of Otter to the south. I started very early, and while it was about 65 and humid at the base at 8AM, it was 40 at the top, which made the descent brutal in my summer gear. The descent is really, really fast, especially at the bottom, so will challenge your rim brakes. I've heard there is a path at the top to hike over to the BRP, otherwise it's back down the hill to the gate, then a right turn up a brutal 1.5 mile stretch to the BRP.
Oct 31, 2021
difficulty: Strenuous
scenery: 4
traffic: 4
road: 5
Oct 31, 2021
scenery: 4
traffic: 4
road: 5
Tough climb in through beautiful scenery. The halfway mark just prior to entering wintergreen is the hardest part to mentally overcome. Then wintergreen drive doesn’t really ease up until closer to the top before devils knob gives you a last good kick! Traffic is very accommodating as they are used to bikers and the road was just repaved and painted in 2021. Great climb! Not a great downhill due to the curves so I recommend the short walk to continue your ride on the blue ridge parkway.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - cyclist riding next to green sign for Wintergreen

Cycling Wintergreen to Devils Knob, Virginia.

Ride 7.2 miles gaining 2,903’ at 7.7% average grade.

This is the most difficult bike climb in Virginia. The climb starts about one mile up Route 664 from its T intersection with Route 151.  The first 3.2 miles (at 5.9%) of the climb are on Route 664 (a busy road), the next 3.5 miles are on Wintergreen Drive (at 9.4%), and the final half-mile is on Devils Knob Loop (at 8%).

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - PJAMM Adventure App shows climb grade and profile

Gradient profile as seen on the PJAMM Adventure App.

“The climb to Wintergreen is likely the most difficult in the state of Virginia and it is one of the most difficult in the Southeast United States.  Located in the central part of the state it is somewhat isolated but well worth the effort to get there.  Shallow to begin, the grade gradually increases as you ride along Route 664.  Through thick woods in places the grade gets steeper as you head west.  Scenery and little traffic most days creates a pleasant start to the ascent…” (This quote provided with the approval of John Summerson from his book The Complete Guide to Climbing by Bike in the Southeast, pg. 120.)

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - first few miles of the climb along Route 664

First 3.2 miles are on Route 664 to the Wintergreen sign.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - south fork of the Rockfish River along right of roadside at beginning of climb

During the first segment of the climb the South Fork of the Rockfish River is to our right.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - bike parked in front of old large red barn along roadside

The first part of the climb is through a rural area.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - large green side on roadside for Wintergreen

Turn right from Route 664 onto Wintergreen Drive at mile 3.2.

The steepest half-mile of the climb begins just before the turn onto Wintergreen Drive and is 12.5%.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - photo collage, turn onto Devil's Knob Loop, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Be sure to turn left onto Devils Knob Loop at mile 6.7.

I missed the turn my first go at this one!

The following write up is by PJAMM’s Dan Razum of Campbell, California, USA:

The climb starts out gently alongside a creek. The gradient picks up and gets steeper near the cutoff to Wintergreen Drive (banner photo, above). After the cutoff the road enters a forest and there are some steep sections. There is a good view partway up, you can see the upper part of Route 664, above Wintergreen Drive, going up to Blue Ridge Parkway.  

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - views along two-lane roadway, surrounded by fall foliage, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Houses start to appear as you continue climbing, there is a fairly large community around the resort and ski area at the top of the mountain. About a mile before the top, Wintergreen Drive goes to the left in a short steep section.  However, you can bear to the right on Mountain Inn Loop if you want to avoid the steep section. Mountain Inn Loop comes around to meet
Wintergreen Drive again after the steep section.  More importantly however, there is a store on Mountain Inn Loop
where you can buy drinks and snacks and replenish water.

Back on Wintergreen Drive, a little ways after the store, there is an overlook with nice views of the valley
and the ski slopes. The overlook is midway through a steep section, so it is definitely tempting to stop and
take in the views.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - bike parked at overlook at mile 6.4

Overlook at mile 6.4.

Shortly after the overlook you reach the high point of Wintergreen Drive.  However, it is not the top of the
mountain.  You can turn left and continue climbing on Devils Knob Loop for about a half a mile.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - bike parked at various points and next to various road signs along climb route

The full climb ends at Devils Knob Loop and Fern Court.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - two PJAMM Cyclists stand with bikes at climb finish next to tall trees on road side, fall foliage

Finish at Fern Court.

Cycling Wintergreen, Virginia - view from overlook past climb's finish overlooking Devils Knob

View for overlook past the finish on Devils Knob.

Route 664 and Blue Ridge Parkway are visible.

Bonus: Instead of returning the way you came, you can continue on Devils Knob Loop, which turns into Laurel
Springs Drive. Follow Laurel Springs Drive for about a mile and a half and there will be a small path on the
left. The path is just before a sign that says road ends in 0.5 mile. The path is not rideable, you have to walk
your bike over some stones and logs but after a couple hundred yards it comes out on Blue Ridge Parkway. You can
then ride Blue Ridge Parkway back to Route 664 and descend back to Route 151. If you can walk a couple hundred yards
in your bike shoes this little side trip is well worth it, there are some beautiful sweeping views along Blue
Ridge Parkway.

Traffic and Roadway Surface Report: The road surface is good throughout the entire ride, but there is little to no shoulder and a moderate amount of traffic, due to all the houses and condos around Wintergreen Resort.  However, the traffic we encountered was slow and courteous and the ride felt safe the whole way.