Gist 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 Gist Road climb?

1.4 miles (2.2 km) at 9.4% on average, climbing 673 ft (205 m) from 1,581 ft to 2,254 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 10.7%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 37.19502, -122.02539, where Gist Road leaves Black Road, and tops out at Skyline Boulevard at 37.19115, -122.03239.

Is Gist 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.

• Skyline Boulevard from Gist RoadCat 3 · 4.8 mi at 3.5% · 876 ft · starts 0.5 mi away
• Black RoadCat 2 · 4.6 mi at 7.4% · 1,785 ft · starts 1.7 mi away
• Montevina RoadCat 2 · 3.9 mi at 8.8% · 1,811 ft · starts 1.7 mi away
• Connely Creek RoadCat 3 · 2.1 mi at 8.2% · 919 ft · starts 1.8 mi away
• Favre Ridge RoadCat 3 · 2.1 mi at 9.4% · 1,037 ft · starts 1.8 mi away
• Bear Creek Road near Monte SerenoCat 2 · 4.1 mi at 7.1% · 1,535 ft · starts 1.9 mi away
• Sunset Ridge Road near Monte SerenoCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 9.6% · 787 ft · starts 2.1 mi away
• Soda Springs Road from Alma Bridge RoadCat 3 · 2.5 mi at 5.8% · 768 ft · starts 2.6 mi away