![Bike climb of Mombacho Volcano - soccer field with volcano in background]( "Steepest Mile in the World - Mombacho Volcano")
Cycling Mombacho Volcano -- One of the steepest climbs in the world!
We have documented all 10 of the world’s steepest miles -- and we’ve lived to tell about it 👍😅. Below are the Top Ten 1 Mile and Top Five 2 Kilometer Steepest Road Bike Climbs in the World. Note that the gradient is so extreme that the quarter-mile difference between one mile and two kilometers dramatically rearranges the order of the World Steepest List.
THE WORLD’S STEEPEST PAVED MILE
SCANUPPIA, ITALY
![Photo collage shows road signs for 45% grade, PJAMM bike leaning against closed gate across roadway]( "Scanuppia, Italy")
Scanuppia averages 18% for 4.5 miles (7.24 kilometers).
45%! We have never encountered a sign with a gradient this high.
Scanuppia edges out Rdom Pass, Saudi Arabia for the coveted #1 World’s Steepest Mile trophy by 0.7%, at 26.7% versus 26%. While we have climbed Scanuppia twice without incident, we must forewarn of the “No Bikes” sign near the start of the climb.
![cyclist climbs on 30%+ grade]( "Scanuppia, Italy")
That’s what a 30%+ grade looks like . . . 😓
![Climbing Scanuppia Italy by bike - no bike sign]( "Cycling Scanuppia")
THE WORLD’S SECOND STEEPEST PAVED MILE
RDOM PASS, SAUDI ARABIA
![Cycling Rdom Pass, Asir Mountains, Saudi Arabia - cyclist climbs and extremely steep segment of roadway along a switchback on the Rdom Pass climb, Asir Mountains, Forst Al Ymani]( "Cycling Rdom Pass, Asir Mountains")
Rdom Pass is home to the steepest two kilometer cycling segment (24.3%), and the second steepest mile (26%) and kilometer (26.7%) in the world.
![Cycling Rdom Pass, Asir Mountains - photo collage, Garmin device reads 25% grade, PJAMM cyclist climbs along extremely steep portions of roadway in the Asir Mountains]( "Cycling Rdom Pass, Asir Mountains, Saudi Arabia")
THE WORLD’S THIRD STEEPEST PAVED MILE
POZZA SAN GLISENTE, ITALY
![Cycling Pozza San Glisente, Italy - cyclist riding on one-lane, narrow and steep rural roadway surrounded by trees]( "Cycling Pozza San Glisente, Italy")
This is the hardest bike climb in Italy (#7 world) and the third steepest mile in the world at 24.7%
THE WORLD’S FOURTH STEEPEST PAVED MILE
MOMBACHO VOLCANO, NICARAGUA
![Climbing Mombacho Volcano by bike - steep section - cobblestones]( "Steepest Mile in the World")
Sadly, it was raining on the day we climbed Mombacho.
Steepest mile is 24.8%.
The average grade for the full 3.8 miles from Nic 18 to the top is 14.21%, but the 2.5 miles beginning at mile 1.2 averages 18.1%, the steepest paved portion of road in the world for that distance that we thus far located. At the top of Mombacho is an incredibly beautiful Nature Preserve that is well worth the trip to visit if you are in Nicaragua.
![Bicycle ride up Mombacho Volcano - guard with rifle]( "Steepest Mile in the World")
As a general rule, “No biceleta” really means “No biceleta.”
However, see our Climb Page for the work-around.
THE WORLD’S FIFTH STEEPEST PAVED MILE
NEBELHORN, GERMANY
![Bicycle climb of Nebelhorn - hiker holding bike on steep road]( "Nebelhorn - As steep as it get!")
Cycling Nebelhorn - 23.6% average grade for one mile.
Several brief segments of the Nebelhorn climb exceed 30%, and there is a full quarter-mile at 26%, half-mile at 25%, and one mile that averages 23.5% grade. What else could we expect, the thing starts at the bottom of a championship ski jumping facility!
![Cycling Nebelhorn - steep roadway through wheel spokes]( "Nebelhorn - Upper Section")
THE WORLD’S SIXTH STEEPEST PAVED MILE
PICO ARIEIRO, MADEIRA ISLAND, PORTUGAL
![Pico Ariero as seen from above, sharp craggy rocks surrounded by clouds below]( "Steepest Mile in the World - Pico Ariero")
Pico Ariero has a one mile segment at its start that is 22.5%.
At 5,965 feet, Pico Ariero is Madeira's third highest peak.
![bike and backpacked parked in front of white stone sign for Pico do Arieiro]( "Steepest Mile in the World - Pico Ariero")
THE WORLD’S SEVENTH STEEPEST PAVED MILE
JESENIERSTRABE, ITALY
![bench on patio overlooking town]( "Steepest Mile in the World - Jesenierstrabe")
Well this looks pleasant . . .
![Steep grade in town]( "Steepest Mile in the World - Jesenierstrabe")
. . . this was NOT . . .
![Cycling Steepest Mile in the World - Jesenierstrabe - bike on steep hill]( "Steepest Mile in the World - Jesenierstrabe")
Photos do not do this Bad Boy justice: one mile at 22.3%
Yes -- I walked a couple of times on this one . . . 😢
THE WORLD’S EIGHTH STEEPEST MILE
ALPE FUORI, ITALY
![bike parked in front of closed gate on roadway next to warning signs]( "Steepest Mile in the World - Alpe Fuori")
Cycling Alpe Fuori -- one mile at 20.1%.
This beautiful but challenging climb looks a lot like this: paved, then gravel, then paved, then gravel, all the way to the top. The gravel is manageable in some sections on a road bike, but we did have to walk portions. We wouldn’t recommend anybody go to the summit with a road bike. ‘Cross necessary’ is what we think.
THE WORLD’S NINTH STEEPEST MILE
PAUL DA SERRA, PORTUGAL
![view looking down two-lane roadway, road sign reads 20% grade]( "Cycling Paul de Serra, Portugal")
Paul da Serra is the third hardest bike climb in Portugal, a World Top 100 climb, and home to the ninth steepest paved (with some cobbles) road in the world at 21.8%.
![photo collage includes grade sign reading 20%, PJAMM Cyclist holding bike over head at climb's finish, cobblestone roadway]( "Cycling Paul de Serra, Portugal")
THE WORLD’S TENTH STEEPEST MILE
BANIAMR AQUABAH, SAUDI ARABIA
![Cycling Baniamr Aquabah Pass, Saudi Arabia - PJAMM Cyclist rides up hillside beyond large hairpin turn, large rocks in landscape]( "Cycling Baniamr Aquabah Pass, Saudi Arabia")
Cycling Baniamr Aquabah Pass, Saudi Arabia
Ride 5.9 miles gaining 5,014’ at 16.3% average grade.
![Cycling Baniamr Aquabah Pass, Saudi Arabia - photo collage,
two PJAMM Cyclists ride on extremely steep portion of roadway, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner]( "Cycling Baniamr Aquabah Pass, Saudi Arabia")
Baniamr’s steepest mile warrants a #10 ranking at 21.5%.
1 - 25
26 - 50
51 - 75
76 - 100
over 100
Gravel
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