Kingston Hill from Kingston Blount

Not bad, but not all that interesting compared to other climbs in the area. Pretty steady going without much variation.

I believe Simon Warren rates this as the hardest climb in the Chilterns, in his catalogue of UK climbs, and it is a hard climb. It's harder but less interesting than Whiteleaf, where you get some variation in gradient at least. Kingston Hill just goes up, and keeps going up, with little in the way of variation, bends, or views, although it's pleasant enough through the trees. The road surfaces towards the top is bad. There are some nice views towards the escarpment from the approach at the bottom, before the climb really begins. In descent, possibly the fastest in the Chilterns. Just make sure you don't get a car in front of you at the top, and try to stay off the brakes.

Kingston Hill is a great climb, and well worth the effort. Like many climbs along the Chiltern escarpment it just goes straight up, and reaches some very steep gradients towards the top. The importance of Kingston Hill in cycling terms is that it provides a link to both the Christmas Common road and the Ibstone road. The former is a real cyclists' favourite, and the latter is one of the best extended descents in the Chilterns. If you don't fancy Kingston Hill you can go up the much easier Aston Hill instead. But you'd be wimping out of a Chiltern classic!

Possibly one of the hardest climbs in the Chilterns. From the false flat at the bottom, the ridge is visible with Stokenchurch tower providing the location of the summit to which one must climb. From there the climb disappears into the woods, where the gradient rockets up. With limited views, the climb is not very scenic, although in autumn the changing colours make it possible the best time to visit.

Overall the road surface is poor, especially on the steeper sections in the woods. Traffic is somewhat higher than other nearby climbs as the road acts as a cut through from Chinnor to the southbound M40 and Stokenchurch, but is overall moderate.

Worth ticking off, especially as it is listed as a top 200 UK climb, and the occasional visit, but nothing too special.