Branscomb Road Climb

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and roads people like to ride draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: no bike crashes were reported along the climb from 2021–2025.

How long and steep is the Branscomb Road climb?

6.3 miles (10.2 km) at 5.8% on average, climbing 1,946 ft (593 m) from 39 ft to 1,985 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 11.2%. That makes it a Category 2 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 39.65878, -123.78249, and tops out on the road at 39.66019, -123.69183.

Is Branscomb Road paved?

Yes, by its OpenStreetMap tags.

How is the category worked out?

From the climb's shape only: length in metres × average grade (%) of 16,000 or more for Cat 3, 32,000 for Cat 2, 64,000 for Cat 1 and 80,000 for HC. It describes how hard the climb is, not traffic or crashes.

Where does this data come from?

The climb is found from OpenStreetMap roads and USGS 3DEP elevation (every climb, not a list of famous ones). Access is from OpenStreetMap tags; gates and closures change, so obey posted signs. Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted where their map location is within 100 ft of the climb. The forecast is from the National Weather Service.

• Seaview DriveCat 3 · 2.1 mi at 9.1% · 1,033 ft · starts 1.3 mi away
• Howard Crk Road NoCat 3 · 1.5 mi at 9.8% · 758 ft · starts 1.4 mi away
• Pacific Heights DriveCat 2 · 5.6 mi at 6.3% · 1,844 ft · starts 1.6 mi away
• Bruhel Point RoadCat 2 · 2.3 mi at 9.4% · 1,122 ft · starts 3.6 mi away
• California State Route 1Cat 3 · 2.1 mi at 7.2% · 791 ft · starts 3.8 mi away
• Little Valley Haul Road near Fort BraggCat 3 · 2.3 mi at 8.8% · 1,047 ft · starts 11 mi away
• Little Valley Haul Road near Fort BraggCat 3 · 4.1 mi at 3.1% · 682 ft · starts 13 mi away
• Hermitage RoadCat 3 · 1.5 mi at 7.3% · 584 ft · starts 13 mi away