Metcalf 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 Metcalf Road climb?

2.3 miles (3.6 km) at 8.5% on average, climbing 1,007 ft (307 m) from 243 ft to 1,250 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 12.4%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 37.22692, -121.75046, where Metcalf Road leaves Coyote Creek Trail, and tops out on the road at 37.23682, -121.71878.

Is Metcalf 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.

• Bernal RoadCat 3 · 1.7 mi at 6.3% · 554 ft · starts 1.8 mi away
• Country View DriveCat 3 · 1.8 mi at 6.5% · 627 ft · starts 3.2 mi away
• San Felipe RoadCat 3 · 5.4 mi at 3.2% · 922 ft · starts 5.1 mi away
• Alamitos RoadCat 3 · 3.6 mi at 3% · 581 ft · starts 5.4 mi away
• Cinnabar Hills DriveCat 2 · 2.1 mi at 9.7% · 1,093 ft · starts 5.8 mi away
• Aborn RoadCat 3 · 2.2 mi at 7.2% · 827 ft · starts 6.3 mi away
• Hicks Road from Alamitos RoadCat 3 · 1.7 mi at 8.8% · 784 ft · starts 6.8 mi away
• Quimby Road from Davidwood WayCat 2 · 4.6 mi at 8.3% · 2,021 ft · starts 7.1 mi away