The extreme 33% Gradient to Rosedale Chimney is one of the steepest climbs of Europe

Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because Rosedale Chimney Bank in North Yorkshire is a ride you won't soon forget! This crazy climb sits in the North York Moors National Park, south of Middlesbrough, and tops out at 312m (1,023ft). It gets its name from a now-demolished, hundred-foot chimney that once served a local ironstone mine.

This paved road, all 5.95km (3.7 miles) of it, stretches from Rosedale Abbey to Hutton-le-Hole and is famed for being one of the steepest in the UK - maybe even Europe! We're talking gradients of up to 33%!

Expect wind and rain – this exposed road doesn't hold back. It's also a no-go zone for lorries, caravans, and pretty much anything during the winter. The surface starts rough and gets steep right away. You'll hit a cattle grid (just to add to the fun), then brace yourself for hairpin turns where the inside is so steep you'll be hugging the far right. Then, it's a ridiculously tough stretch where sheep spectate, waiting for cyclists to lose the battle with the Chimney. Eventually, it eases to a more manageable gradient, letting you gain some momentum and reach the moor. The views are incredible, but this climb demands respect. Watch those brakes on the crazy steep turns! Leaving Rosedale Abbey, there's a sign warning of the climb ahead. The steepest 1.47 km section climbs 175 meters, averaging almost 12%. "Brutal" doesn't even begin to describe it!