Bwlch Penbarras from Llanbedr-Dyffryn-Clwyd

The daddy of the Clwydian range, this is a brutal climb. Climbing starts ok from the village but as you pass the last speed bump, the gradient really kicks in. It's stiff for some time before the first cattle grid where the infamous wall to the hairpin rises above you. You'll be fighting against toppling over here but just get around the hairpin! Pray for no cars - very much usually the case - and take the hairpin on the right hand side, on the inside the hairpin must be 1 in 2 and I've seen cars lose traction there. The climb eases considerable for a few hundred metres, take in the views to the left. As the road veers right again, you cross a second cattle grid and it starts to get steep again. Steeper and steeper on a long drag to the top which comes in to view. One last push for a few hundred metres and collapse in the car park. V tough climb. The descent east is straight and 50mph is very achievable, but keep eyes open and hands on brakes for carpark entrance/exit on left hand side about a mile from the summit.

Nice climb, Steep around the hairpin. Great views at the top. Not too steep once you pass the hairpin. Cars can be a little bit of an issue as the roads are narrow but plenty of passing places.