Ward 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 Ward Road climb?

5.4 miles (8.7 km) at 8.5% on average, climbing 2,411 ft (735 m) from 810 ft to 3,222 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 14.7%. That makes it a Category 1 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 40.82259, -123.9036, and tops out at Snow Camp Road at 40.82354, -123.82809.

Is Ward 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.

• Maple Creek Road near Blue LakeCat 3 · 3.3 mi at 3.3% · 568 ft · starts 1.7 mi away
• Bald Mountain Road from Maple Creek RoadCat 2 · 6.0 mi at 4.9% · 1,552 ft · starts 3.1 mi away
• Maple Creek Road near Blue LakeCat 3 · 2.9 mi at 4.5% · 692 ft · starts 3.2 mi away
• Powerline Road from Maple Creek RoadCat 2 · 5.4 mi at 5.9% · 1,673 ft · starts 4.0 mi away
• Butler Valley RoadCat 2 · 7.8 mi at 4.6% · 1,900 ft · starts 4.1 mi away
• Maple Creek Road near Blue LakeCat 2 · 2.5 mi at 8.3% · 1,115 ft · starts 4.5 mi away
• Fickle Hill Road near ArcataCat 3 · 1.4 mi at 7.3% · 535 ft · starts 4.6 mi away
• Fickle Hill Road near ArcataCat 3 · 4.1 mi at 4% · 853 ft · starts 5.6 mi away