The 10 Hardest Bike Climbs in Pennsylvania

#1
Henrietta Mountain Road
USA, PA
#2
Blue Knob State Park (Pavia Road)
USA, PA
#3
Rte 44 East
USA, PA
#4
Overland Pass & Pavia Roads
USA, PA
#5
Tuscarora Summit East
USA, PA
#6
Red Rock Mountain
USA, PA
#7
Rte 16 East
USA, PA
#8
Rte 93 South
USA, PA
#9
Sugarloaf Road West
USA, PA
#10
Carsonville Road South
USA, PA

Climb List: Pennsylvania's Most Difficult Bike Climbs
(sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more)

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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

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FULL SUMMARY

Pennsylvania Top Bike Climbs - photo collage, Little League International, the Liberty Bell, Gettysburg National Military Park, Blue Knob State Park, Flight 93 Memorial, Capitol Building Harrisburg, PJAMM Cycling logo

Cycling the Top Bike Climbs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania does not have the hardest bike climbs in the country, but it has some challenging and fun bike climbs.  Our favorites are listed below:

PENNSYLVANIA’S #1 BIKE CLIMB

PAVIA ROAD - BLUE KNOB STATE PARK

bike parked in green field surrounded by trees and hillsides

Cycling Pavia Road, Blue Knob State Park

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

Pavia Road 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 makes our most favorite list because it is number one in the state and also a fun and scenic climb.

Blue Knob State Park

PENNSYLVANIA’S #2 BIKE CLIMB

HENRIETTA MOUNTAIN ROAD

cyclist riding on one-lane scenic country road surrounded by green fields and trees

Cycling Henrietta Mountain Road

Ride 1.9 miles gaining 1,035’ at 10.6% average grade.

This climb is an absolute brute.  Not only does it average 10.6%, it has several short segments over 15%. We include this in our list because it is Pennsylvania #2 and also because it is a fun and super hard bike climb.

Views along Henrietta Mountain Road

PENNSYLVANIA’S #3 BIKE CLIMB

ROUTE 44 EAST

cyclist riding on two-lane road toward horizon, surrounded by fall foliage on trees

Cycling Route 44 East

Ride 3.1 miles gaining 1,313’ at 8% average grade.

This is a gorgeous climb during fall colors.  Just seven miles from Williamsport, this climb offers at real challenge with a quarter near the top at 12% (half mile at 11%).

views along route 44 east during fall colors

Exceptional scenery during fall colors.

We include this in our favorite three because it is #3 hardest in Pennsylvania, and also because its a fun and scenic ride.  It really is a coincidence that our three favorite and most memorable climbs happen to also be the three hardest in the state!