9.9
PDI
3.5 mi
DISTANCE
1,460 ft
GAINED
8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): John Summerson, The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike), 2nd Edition.
INTRO
This is the third hardest bike climb in New Hampshire and may be the most scenic -- particularly during leaf peeping season. It is said that on a clear day the skyscrapers of Boston can be seen 80 miles away. While we could see Boston from Wachusett Mountain on our trip there, we couldn't spot it from Mt. Kearsarge on the October day we rode this beauty. Mt. Kearsarge is the southernmost of New Hampshire’s top bike climbs located in the White Mountains.
8% average grade for 3.5 miles. 39% of the climb is at 5-10% grade, 34% is at 10-15%, and 1.5% is at 15-20%. The steepest quarter-mile is 13.6% and steepest mile 11.4%.
See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway: Narrow two-lane road with no center stripe that is in good condition - beware of debris on the descent.
Traffic: Minimal.
Fee: $4 for cyclists as of 2020 - check here for updates.
Parking: Just before the toll booth and the start of the climb - Map; Street View.
Provisions: None on the climb. There are plenty of places to eat or get food and beverages in Warner, five miles south of the start of the climb (Map).
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 a bit of an outlier in relation to other New Hampshire bike climbs. Most of the top bike climbs in the state are north of Kearsarge. That being said, this climb is worth going out of your way for. Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar above to see other bike climbs in this area.
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DustinStory
This blacktop is God-tier right now. I road from Market Basket by the freeway (There is also a Park & Ride) which made for 2600 ft of gain in 19 mile round trip. Loved riding through the trees but couldn't catch any views through the clouds. Showed up to the booth at 4pm and the ranger waved me through. You get the hard stuff out of the way here, then it gets tamer. Awesome descent!
robertcarter10058
WARNING: UNHOLY GRADIENTS!
Great 20-40min climb about 90 minutes from the Boston Area. I started from a nearby Market Basket parking lot at 7AM on a Monday and it worked great. $4 entry fee but the ranger let me go for free. Gate is closed until 9AM but on my bike I just went around and I was the only human on the road for the entire ride.
8% average gradient does not accurately convey the sheer brutality of this mountain road. A small descent section not shown on the profile tool skews the average dramatically. The first mile or so of the road past the gate must have been carved out of the mountain by Satan himself. Map says steepest 0.25mi is 13.6% but I'd say the steepest 0.20mi sections average 16% and it felt like there were at least 3 of them. With no climbing chainrings it was a grind.
The view from the top was great! The descent was REALLY fun and felt totally safe, on NEWLY PAVED roads!
Fun morning! The nearby McDonalds was of excellent quality, great service too.
Mikey62481
One of my favorite mountain climbs in the New England area! I've done this twice, most recently in June 2021...
PROS:
The mountain road is pretty isolated with very little traffic or people walking, at times feels like you have the mountain to yourself;
Not too far a drive from the Boston area;
A sustained challenging grade…averages 8%, nothing really past 15% but a good workout nonetheless:
Great views throughout!
CONS:
can be buggy;
Is not free… 2 ppl in one car to park cost us $9 or so (that's not bad tho);
The road condition isn't the best on the descent, it's fine just bit bumpy but good overall
