Cycling Whitcomb Hill Road, Massachusetts
Ride three miles gaining 1,441’ at 9.1% average grade.
This fantastic bike climb is 10 miles from Williamstown, the cycling hub of Massachusetts. This is the #2 ranked bike climb in Massachusetts.
No distant views, but a fantastic ride, particularly during fall colors.
“Whitcomb Hill Road is a steady and solid grade ascent away from the scenic Deerfield River toward Route 2 in western Massachusetts. Good scenery and a wide and lightly travelled road make for a pleasant ascent as long as the stout (but mostly teady) grade does not deter. There are also a few switchbacks along the way to spice things up. At mile 2.5 turn right on busier Route 2 to finish over more moderate grade at the obvious summit. Due to grade Whitcomb Hill Road is also a quick and somewhat challenging descent.” (This quote is provided with the approval of John Summerson from his book, The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike) in the Northeast, pg. 75.)
Explore tunnel road and the bridge over the Deerfield River adjacent to the climb start.
PJAMM Adventure App showing stats at beginning and end of the climb.
The climb begins by riding northwest up Whitcomb Hill Road from its T intersection with River Road.
Yep, you’ll feel that way . . .
Turn right onto Mohawk Trail/Route 2 at mile 2.5.
We are on Route 2 for a half-mile at 6% to the summit.
Viewpoint and monument/placards just before the summit.
Climb’s Summit
A fun 1-2-3 punch is Whitcomb-Kingsley-Monroe Hill - three Massachusetts Top 10 bike climbs with miles of each other. Whitcomb Hill Road is six miles from Kingsley, and Monroe Hill Road is less than a mile away.
That’s a wrap!