Polson 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 Polson Road climb?

2.0 miles (3.2 km) at 7% on average, climbing 741 ft (226 m) from 249 ft to 991 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 38.22092, -122.22379, where Polson Road leaves Kirkland Ranch Road, and ends where the road ends at 38.23265, -122.20159.

Is Polson 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.

• Green Valley Road from Wild Horse Valley RoadCat 3 · 2.0 mi at 7.1% · 755 ft · starts 5.0 mi away
• Wild Horse Valley RoadCat 2 · 2.8 mi at 8.7% · 1,283 ft · starts 5.1 mi away
• Twin Sisters RoadCat 3 · 2.0 mi at 8.8% · 942 ft · starts 7.5 mi away
• Monticello Road from Silverado TrailCat 2 · 4.9 mi at 4.8% · 1,234 ft · starts 7.7 mi away
• Atlas Peak RoadCat 2 · 9.9 mi at 3.9% · 2,060 ft · starts 8.6 mi away
• Redwood Road from Lynn DriveCat 2 · 7.0 mi at 3.2% · 1,171 ft · starts 8.8 mi away
• Partrick RoadCat 2 · 4.2 mi at 5.2% · 1,155 ft · starts 9.2 mi away
• Hidden Springs RoadCat 3 · 1.1 mi at 12.3% · 682 ft · starts 9.2 mi away