Noel Way 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 Noel Way climb?

2.1 miles (3.3 km) at 6.4% on average, climbing 699 ft (213 m) from 226 ft to 925 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 19%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 35.6197, -121.11424, where Noel Way leaves Van Gordon Creek Road, and tops out on the road at 35.63322, -121.09817.

Is Noel Way 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.

• San Simeon Creek RoadCat 2 · 6.6 mi at 4.7% · 1,627 ft · starts 1.4 mi away
• Stepladder Road from San Simeon Creek RoadCat 2 · 2.4 mi at 10.3% · 1,329 ft · starts 3.4 mi away
• Stepladder Road near Morro BayCat 3 · 1.2 mi at 10% · 614 ft · starts 3.4 mi away
• Monte Cristo PlaceCat 3 · 2.3 mi at 4.4% · 525 ft · starts 6.6 mi away
• Green Valley Road near Morro BayCat 2 · 4.3 mi at 6% · 1,378 ft · starts 9.9 mi away
• Arroyo del MarCat 3 · 1.2 mi at 10.4% · 656 ft · starts 11 mi away
• Bryson Hesperia RoadCat 3 · 3.7 mi at 3.6% · 702 ft · starts 12 mi away
• Santa Rosa Creek RoadCat 3 · 2.9 mi at 3.5% · 535 ft · starts 15 mi away