Starts: On B3114 GR583555 Finishes: On A39 GR585512
Height Gain: 163m Horizontal Distance: 6.3km Category: 3 (on length)
I first did this hill by accident. The intention had been to go up Smitham Hill out of East Harptree but we missed the turn.
Starting in the pretty valley around Coley on a flowing road surface, the first 1.5km of this route gives a very gentle climb as far as the village of Litton. Now comes the route's highlight, the narrow valley of Litton Combe enclosing the road as you climb through open farmland and past pretty houses to Chewton Mendip, still on gently climbing road. The turn onto the A39 at Chewton Mendip reveals a wider road and more traffic. As the road gently bends it keeps showing you another section of hill, some of them a bit more aggressively steep, but the angle remains easily manageable, never worse than 10% and then only for fairly short sections.
You could argue that the absolute top round here is the other side of the Green Ore crossroads but, given the drop down, the small difference in height and the fact that many cyclists will want to turn right onto the road across the top of the Mendips, I've decided to set the finish at the top of the steep section (GR585512) where the 23m drop begins. At this point you're 251m above sea level, if you carry on to Pen Hill wireless mast you'll reach about 265.
Summary: Pretty in the lower reaches, steeper at the end. A brilliant descent.
DP
Height Gain: 163m Horizontal Distance: 6.3km Category: 3 (on length)
I first did this hill by accident. The intention had been to go up Smitham Hill out of East Harptree but we missed the turn.
Starting in the pretty valley around Coley on a flowing road surface, the first 1.5km of this route gives a very gentle climb as far as the village of Litton. Now comes the route's highlight, the narrow valley of Litton Combe enclosing the road as you climb through open farmland and past pretty houses to Chewton Mendip, still on gently climbing road. The turn onto the A39 at Chewton Mendip reveals a wider road and more traffic. As the road gently bends it keeps showing you another section of hill, some of them a bit more aggressively steep, but the angle remains easily manageable, never worse than 10% and then only for fairly short sections.
You could argue that the absolute top round here is the other side of the Green Ore crossroads but, given the drop down, the small difference in height and the fact that many cyclists will want to turn right onto the road across the top of the Mendips, I've decided to set the finish at the top of the steep section (GR585512) where the 23m drop begins. At this point you're 251m above sea level, if you carry on to Pen Hill wireless mast you'll reach about 265.
Summary: Pretty in the lower reaches, steeper at the end. A brilliant descent.
DP
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