Blue Knob State Park (Pavia Road) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

3.4
FIETS
4.4 mi
DISTANCE
1,640 ft
GAINED
7 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): John Summerson, The Complete Guide to Climbing (By Bike), 2nd Edition.

INTRO

Pavia Road, located in Blue Knob State Park, is the most difficult bike climb in Pennsylvania. While the grade never reaches the intolerable levels of the extremely difficult climb category, there are certainly challenging segments on this climb. The steepest quarter-mile is 11% and the steepest half mile 9.6%. This scenic bike climb is in the Alleghenies (Allegheny Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range).
This climb has a 7% average grade.  55% of the climb is at 5-10% and 18% is at 10-15% grade.  The steepest quarter-mile is 10.9%.

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Two lane road in good condition with a double yellow center stripe and no shoulder.

Traffic:  Minimal.

Parking:  We parked at the top and did both sides of the mountain (included Overland Pass & Pavia Roads).  You could also park at the state park office 2/10ths of a mile north of the climb start (MapStreet View). 
Provisions:  None on the climb.  Closest food and beverages are in Pleasantville nine miles south (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.
Pavia is a very quaint town to ride around and enjoy before you begin your climb (see Full Summary).  Also consider staying at Blue Knob All Seasons Resort which has plenty to do during the summer, including, "golf, swimming and a multitude of trails for hiking, running and mountain biking. We have trails for various abilities, both within the boundaries of the resort and in gorgeous Blue Knob State Park. And don’t forget the beautiful autumn season in the Alleghenies when you’ll want to join us just for the views," (Google Map + Reviews).

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Not Yet Rated
-
Road
-
Traffic
-
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

PJAMM TRIPS ADVENTURE STARTER BUNDLES

Check out PJAMM Adventure's prepackaged (self-guided) cycling trips. They will help you plan, document and conquer your next adventure.
ALL TRIPS
Browse all of our prepackaged trips and find your next adventure!
Northeast Fall Colors
United States (MA,ME,NH,NY,VT)
24 ROUTES
37 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
98
mi
DISTANCE
35,116
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
No Climbs Found

MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

Let us know what you thought of this climb. Signup for our FREE membership to write a review or post a comment.
Already have an account?
ROUTE MAP
PROFILE TOOL
Route Data
S.G. (%)
hide
Segment Data
hide

Climb Profile Not Found
CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Blue Knob/Pavia Road, Pennsylvania - bike parked in center of grassy field with large oak tree, blue sky and hillsides behind in distance

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania

Ride 4.4 miles gaining 1,633’ at 7% average grade.

Pavia Road, located in Blue Knob State Park, is the most difficult bike climb in Pennsylvania.  While the grade never reaches the intolerable levels of the extremely difficult climb category, there are certainly challenging segments on this climb.  The steepest quarter mile is 11% and the steepest half mile 9.6%.  This scenic bike climb is in the Alleghenies (Allegheny Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain Range).

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - photo collage, garmin device reading 15%, signs for Blue Knob State Park, cyclist riding on yellow center road divider line, bike parked next to tree in grassy field, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

“The approach to Blue Knob State Park from the west is a contender for the most difficult in Pennsylvania.  Located in the south central part of the state, you ride among small homes and over moderate grade to begin.  Soon the houses disappear as you enter thick forest and steeper grade appears.  About 2 miles into the ascent you encounter a switchback and continued stout grade.  Soon after a descent appears which lasts for 0.4 miles.  Climbing resumes for a short distance and at mile 3.7 turn right to continue up the mountain.  The grade is fairly stout but steady here over this final section as several switchbacks take you to the summit at the top of a ski area.”  (This quote is provided with the approval of John Summerson from his book, The Complete Guide to Climbing (by Bike), 2nd Edition, pg. 98.)

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - bike parked next to small white building with sign reading "Pavia Election House, Built 1895," American flag, marquee sign at a church

Climb begins just after passing through the small, charming and well kept township of Pavia

(settled 1794; population 276).

Input from Rob Virelli who drove nearly 6 hours round trip from Exton, PA to do these climbs:  “I did climbs yesterday - parked at the state parks office. It was awesome, did the climb 5 times - 3 on pavia road, 2 on overland pass.  I liked the contrast of the two roads, climbs weren't terribly different in terms of stats, but totally different vibes.”  

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - photo collage, historical buildings of Pavia, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

The quaint township of Pavia, Pennsylvania.

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - bike parked in center of old historical dark wood buildings at Blue Knob State Park Headquarters, informational signs, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Blue Knob State Park Headquarters on the right just after the start of the climb.

Blue Knob State Park was established in 1945 and consists of 6,128 acres.

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - cyclist climbing on steep stretch of straight, two-lane road covered in foliage, road sign reads "Steep Grade," PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Steepest quarter mile begins half a mile into the climb.

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - Blue Knob State Park

Scenic bike climb.

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - cyclist turns at Stop Sign to stay on Pavia Road

Turn right to stay on Pavia Road at mile 3.2.

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - PJAMM Adventure App showing climb grade and profile

PJAMM App shows climb details and elevation profile.

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park, Pennsylvania - two PJAMM Cyclists stand with bikes in front of Blue Knob All Seasons Resort

Finish the climb at the Blue Knob All Seasons Resort.

Traffic and Roadway Surface Report:  Traffic is light and slow moving on this climb.  The roadway was in excellent condition as of September 2020.

That’s a wrap!

Access to full Climb Summary requires a PJAMM Cycling PRO Membership!

It takes less than a minute to sign up & with your PRO membership you can:
  • Rate climbs, post comments and share your experiences on any of our climb pages
  • Create bucket lists of climbs & mark the dates you complete them
  • Weather data for all climbs - Start & Finish
  • Upload photos to your member page to customize your PJAMM Cycling experience
  • Utilize all of our interactive tools - Profile & Routes in Area
  • Download climb route .gpx files
LEARN MORE
SIGN UP

Already have an account? LOG IN HERE