What makes a climb the 'steepest in the world'?

What makes a road the steepest in the road? Surprisingly, this is not a simple question, and the answer was changed only a couple of years ago. The title of the steepest road has flip-flopped from New Zealand, to Wales, and back to New Zealand again, in a thrilling sequence of events that proved wrong everyone who said measuring the gradient of tarmac was dull, pointless and inconsequential.

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Hank takes on Fford Pen Llech

Defining the ‘steepest road in the world’

So what makes a road the steepest in the world? Well, according to Guinness World Records, the steepest road is ‘the steepest street over a continuous distance of 10m’. Simple. So why the big debate?

A disputed title

For over a decade, Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand was the undisputed steepest road in the world, coming in at an eye-watering 34.8% at its steepest point. Over 380m, the road climbs about 70m, starting gently and ramping up progressively.

But meanwhile, in Harlech, Wales, a plot was brewing. The residents were pretty certain that a local street called Ffordd Pen Llech was even steeper. At the time, the street already held the title of being the only road in Wales that’s more difficult to cycle up than it is to pronounce (probably), but the locals of Harlech wanted more. They wanted the world record.

In early 2019, after much persuasion, the folks from Guinness World Records arrived, protractors in hand. Was Ffordd Pen Llech going to claim the record?

In short, yes! Around the inside of a tight right-hander, the road measured in at 37.45%. Ouch. The village party commenced, the world record was hung on the parish hall wall (we imagine), and that was the end of that. Or so they thought.

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The Salita Scanuppia. For our money, the toughest climb in the world

How Dunedin Street reclaimed the title

The Kiwis weren’t going to take this defeat sitting down – the steepest street in the world is a serious accolade that draws enough tourists to support a cottage industry of postcards, souvenirs and food vendors. Some suggested resurfacing the road to increase the steepness.

But in the end, they found an even more ingenious solution. By scrutinising the criteria for measuring Ffordd Pen Llech, the Kiwis found a fatal flaw in the method: it was measured on one side of the street, at the extreme inside edge of a switchback turn. Surely, this wasn’t an accurate representation of the steepness of the road? The legal battle began. Surveys were taken. Advocates for Baldwin Street came to Wales to make investigations. This was serious.

After a year, Guinness World Records were convinced: the steepest road accolade must be measured along the centreline of the road, bringing the Fford Pen Llech gradient down to a paltry 28.6%.

As the decision was announced, Toby Stoff, who led the appeal, had this to say: “It is important to know that Guinness World Records treats matters like this in a robust and professional manner. The issue of gradient was technical in nature only. There was no bad feeling toward the people of Harlech. I had the great joy of visiting last November. It is a wonderful heritage town full of friendly people.”

It’s reassuring to know that even among the high-stakes legal furore that this record found itself wrapped in, civility, politeness and respect won the day. But let's just wait to see how the tone changes when residents of Bamford Clough start nipping at the Kiwis’ heels…