Buell 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 Buell Road climb?

2.1 miles (3.3 km) at 5.9% on average, climbing 640 ft (195 m) from 984 ft to 1,624 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 12.2%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 40.47472, -122.61939, where Buell Road leaves Platina Road, and ends where the road ends at 40.49983, -122.61975.

Is Buell 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.

• Rainbow Lake RoadCat 2 · 4.6 mi at 6% · 1,437 ft · starts 0.3 mi away
• Rector Creek RoadCat 3 · 2.8 mi at 5.8% · 860 ft · starts 0.8 mi away
• Baker Ridge RoadCat 3 · 3.2 mi at 3.8% · 650 ft · starts 3.1 mi away
• Platina RoadCat 3 · 1.7 mi at 6.2% · 574 ft · starts 3.3 mi away
• Trinity Alps Vista Road from Bland Road near ReddingCat 3 · 2.1 mi at 6% · 666 ft · starts 4.1 mi away
• Zogg Mine RoadCat 3 · 3.6 mi at 5.5% · 1,033 ft · starts 4.7 mi away
• Trinity Alps Vista Road from Bland Road near ReddingCat 3 · 2.2 mi at 5.8% · 669 ft · starts 4.9 mi away
• Roaring Creek RoadCat 3 · 2.4 mi at 6.8% · 856 ft · starts 5.2 mi away