Brevard Climbs

Highway 215

Highway 215

NCMap-doton-BrevardThis section encompasses climbs around the greater Brevard area. This includes Rosman, Balsam Grove, Rocky Bottom, and parts of North Greenville.

The table below has a description of the climb, Strava segment links, and website content links.

Disclaimer: Climb AT YOUR OWN RISK! Many of these will be difficult, strenuous, with dangerous descents. Do your own research and make sure you are prepared for the terrain. You are responsible for yourself!

Climb Description Links
Becky Mountain Near Brevard, this is one of the toughest climbs one can find. It is consistently steep in the upper teens, topping at close to 20%, but at a consistent, relentless grade for nearly 2-miles. Strava, Becky Mountain
Becky Mountain Near Brevard, this is one of the toughest climbs one can find. It is consistently steep in the upper teens, topping at close to 20%, but at a consistent, relentless grade for nearly 2-miles. Strava, Becky Mountain

Big Hill

The entire climb not far from Caesar Head Mountain is a mile-long, but there are two grunt sections with steep grades near the beginning and the end. The climb ends at the ‘Big Hill’ subdivision. Strava, Table Rock Weekend
Caesar’s Head Mountain The backside of Caesar’s Head from Brevard is by far an easier climb up the mountain than from North Greenville. There is a slightly steep section near the beginning, but it is short, only about 100 feet gained. From there the climb is mostly level until near the summit ,where it is just an easy half-mile climb. Strava (from Brevard), Strava (from SC), Assault on the Carolinas, Table Rock Weekend
Continental Divide 178 This is the pass from Rosman through the Continental Divide, then down Jocasee Gorge into SC. There are a couple of short climbs along the way before the big descent. They are not overly difficult, more like three mini-hill climbs, but they are frustrating because you are up and down the entire way. Strava, Assault on the Carolinas, Table Rock Weekend
Highway 215 to the Blue Ridge Parkway This is an epic climb. The route begins near Rosman, but the climb does not begin until a fish hatchery beyond Balsam Grove. From there it is almost 8-miles of great climbing, most in the 6-10% range. There are some stellar views as you get close to the top. Beware of loose gravel when descending. Strava, Back to the Parkway
Jump Off Rock This climb can be completed from many directions, as it is mostly neighborhood roads. The grades are rarely steep, and there is a lot of variety. There will even be some flat sections. Take Laurel Park Hwy to the dead-end, where the climb ends and the view begins. Bring your camera because you can see for a long ways. Strava (from Jack’s Gap), Jump Off Rock
Richland Balsam This is a short, not too challenging, parkway climb from Highway 215 to the highest point of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a longer climb along the other side from Balsam Gap. Strava (from 215), Strava (from Balsam Gap), Blue Ridge Breakaway, Richland Balsam Mountain
Sassafras Mountain This is one of the toughest climbs in South Carolina coming from Rocky Bottom. From Rosman, it can be accessed from Glady Fork Rd, which avoids some of the steeper 20% climbs. Strava, Sassafras Mountain
Tanasee Gap This entire stretch near Balsam Grove is up and down, but the climbs are no cakewalk. They are short, none more than a mile, but roughy 8% grades. Strava, Tour de Cashiers
Walnut Hollow Road This is a challenging mile-long climb in between Rosman and Brevard. It begins with an easy grade of around 4-5%, but gets steeper quickly to around 10%, then levels off until the final pitch that hits the teens. Strava, Assault on the Carolinas
Wolf Creek Lake This is another short mile-long climb near Tanasee Gap and Balsam Grove on Canada Rd, around 8%. Strava, Tour de Cashiers

Map images: Seth Anthony / CC-BY-SA-3.0


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