Nelson 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 Nelson Road climb?

3.3 miles (5.4 km) at 5.3% on average, climbing 928 ft (283 m) from 266 ft to 1,194 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 10.1%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 40.22347, -123.80207, where Nelson Road leaves Avenue of the Giants, and tops out at Barnum Road at 40.25052, -123.79589.

Is Nelson 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.

• Felt Road from Fish Creek RoadCat 3 · 0.8 mi at 15.3% · 659 ft · starts 0.3 mi away
• Old Hedges LaneCat 3 · 2.5 mi at 6.8% · 909 ft · starts 0.9 mi away
• French Road from Maple Hills RoadCat 2 · 2.5 mi at 9.1% · 1,211 ft · starts 0.9 mi away
• Hodges LaneCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 11% · 948 ft · starts 1.0 mi away
• Barnum RoadCat 2 · 4.5 mi at 6.8% · 1,617 ft · starts 1.2 mi away
• Felt Road from School RoadCat 3 · 1.0 mi at 10.9% · 548 ft · starts 1.2 mi away
• Bear Butte RoadCat 2 · 3.0 mi at 9.8% · 1,558 ft · starts 1.3 mi away
• Gibney RoadCat 3 · 1.0 mi at 12.4% · 673 ft · starts 1.3 mi away