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Box Hill (SW #14) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

Box Hill (SW #14)

United Kingdom

Olympic history here.

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Climb Summary

Cycling Box Hill - one-lane roadway with stencil painted on saying "I [oak leaf symbol in place of a heart] BOX HILL", lined with dense tall grasses   

Cycling Box Hill, England.

                                                                                   

Simon Warren (Britain Cycling Bible, 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs, p. 37) calls Box Hill “The Alpe d’Huez of the south-east [England],” so it’s no wonder that this is the most scenic of the London area climbs.  While most of the climbs around here have either no or very minimal distant views throughout the ride, Box Hill allows us about a half kilometer of beautiful open views near the top, where there is a lookout on the switchback overlooking the climb and the farmlands below. This ride is one of the most iconic climbs in Britain, due to its accessibility to London and allowance for every type of cyclist.  This climb is challenging, while at the same time being manageable for most casual cyclists.  

Cycling Box Hill - photo collage, wooden sign saying "The National Trust Box Hill", stretch of nicely paved two-lane roadway, bike leaning against white brick wall with "Box Hill" painted on it, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Parking at the bottom is difficult, but if you drive to the top you can park there. At the summit there is a well equipped cafe with friendly workers.  The road quality is pristine and we met a few other cyclists the morning we rode. Box Hill is a very popular climb, although a fairly short and easy ride.

Cycling Box Hill - photo collage, one lane road with "I [oak leaf] box hill" stenciled on it, bike parked along sidewalk next do roadway, large oak tree, national trust signs for Box Hill, sharp "U" shaped turn in roadway, PJAMM cycling logo in corner


 

Steepest ½ kilometer begins at km 1.7 (6%).

Cycling Box Hill - densely tree-lined roadway, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner 

Start of steepest half km.

Box Hill was included in the 2012 Olympic Road Race -- nine times up Box Hill in a race that left the greatest Olympic Cycling Team ever short of the podium (Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish -- charted for the gold medal,  David Millar, and Ian Stannard).

Cycling Box Hill - white brick wall with "Welcome To Box Hill" painted on it, road bike leaning against wall next to drinking faucet

Climb Finish.

This climb is in the Surrey Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty:

The highest summit of the Surrey Hills AONB, Leith Hill near Coldharbour, is 294 metres (965 ft) above sea level. It is part of the Greensand Ridge, which traverses the AONB from west to east, and is the highest point in southeast England. These hills are formed mostly by chalk and greensand providing a habitat for rare plants and insects (Surrey Hills AONB).

Cycling Box Hill - wooden sign for The National Trust Box Hill

Part of the National Trust of the UK.