Pendola 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 Pendola Road climb?

2.4 miles (3.9 km) at 4.5% on average, climbing 577 ft (176 m) from 2,415 ft to 2,992 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 39.45771, -121.06074, and tops out at Pendola Extension Road at 39.47219, -121.08462.

Is Pendola 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.

• Weeds Point RoadCat 3 · 2.3 mi at 4.6% · 545 ft · starts 0.4 mi away
• Henness Pass Road from Cleveland AvenueCat 1 · 9.8 mi at 4.3% · 2,234 ft · starts 0.5 mi away
• Camptonville RoadCat 2 · 3.7 mi at 6.1% · 1,191 ft · starts 1.1 mi away
• Jouberts RoadCat 3 · 4.0 mi at 3.7% · 778 ft · starts 2.6 mi away
• Ridge Road from Celestial Valley RoadHC · 14 mi at 4.4% · 3,176 ft · starts 3.1 mi away
• Pike City RoadCat 3 · 2.0 mi at 5.9% · 633 ft · starts 3.5 mi away
• Baker RoadCat 3 · 1.6 mi at 8.4% · 715 ft · starts 3.7 mi away
• State Highway 49 from Moonshine RoadCat 3 · 3.2 mi at 4% · 679 ft · starts 4.5 mi away