Death Valley Scenic Byway 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 Death Valley Scenic Byway climb?

19 miles (31.3 km) at 3.5% on average, climbing 3,632 ft (1,107 m) from 1,601 ft to 5,233 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 8.6%. That makes it a Hors catégorie climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 36.33904, -117.43024, and tops out on the road at 36.32301, -117.66344.

Is Death Valley Scenic Byway 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.

• Death Valley Scenic Byway from Lake Hill RoadHC · 9.0 mi at 7.1% · 3,389 ft · starts 2.3 mi away
• Olancha Darwin RoadCat 3 · 3.6 mi at 3.3% · 630 ft · starts 10 mi away
• Emigrant Canyon RoadCat 2 · 5.9 mi at 4.7% · 1,467 ft · starts 14 mi away
• Trona–Wildrose Road from Indian Ranch RoadCat 3 · 3.1 mi at 3.6% · 584 ft · starts 14 mi away
• Charcoal Kilns RoadHC · dirt · 11 mi at 9.8% · 5,958 ft · starts 14 mi away