Winnats Pass

Overview

Winnats Pass is a Category 4 climb in Great Britain. It runs for 5.9 km, gaining 178 m of net elevation as it lifts you from a start elevation of 156 m to a summit at 334 m. On paper it reads as a short, moderate effort, and the category confirms that classification. But the numbers that define the climb overall tell only part of the story.

The gap between the net elevation gain of 178 m and the total ascent of 179 m is small — roughly 1 m of extra climbing hidden in undulation. That means there is almost no descending or false-flat give-back on the way up. Nearly every metre you climb, you keep. The effort is honest and steady rather than punctuated by recovery dips, so plan to be on the pedals continuously rather than counting on downhill breathers to reset your legs.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The average gradient of 3.01% is misleading. Averaged across 5.9 km, it suggests a gentle drag, but that figure smooths out a maximum gradient of 20.46% into a comfortable-sounding number. The steep pitches are where this climb is won or lost, and they bite far harder than the average implies.

Expect the profile to break down roughly like this:

• Gentler, shallow sections early where the road eases toward the average and you can settle into rhythm.
• A steepening middle where the road stiffens and the average starts to feel dishonest.
• The steepest ramp at 20.46%, a sharp wall that demands your lowest gear and forces you out of any comfortable cadence.

Pacing Notes

With so little undulation, this climb rewards even effort over even speed. Because there are no meaningful recovery dips, do not chase a constant speed — your speed will collapse on the steep ramp no matter what, and burning matches to hold pace there will cost you. Instead, hold a steady sustainable power output and let your speed fluctuate with the grade.

Ride the shallow early sections at a controlled effort, then accept that the 20.46% ramp will spike your power well above threshold briefly. Know your ceiling before you start — the FTP estimator will help you set a realistic target so you arrive at the steepest pitch with something left.

Gearing

The 20.46% maximum gradient is what should govern your setup, not the 3.01% average. On a ramp that steep, you want a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 will keep your cadence survivable where the road wall hits hardest. Check your gearing before you ride. Arriving at Winnats Pass geared for the average rather than the maximum is the single most common way to grind to a halt on the steep pitch.

Summary

• Length: 5.9 km
• Average gradient: 3.01%
• Maximum gradient: 20.46%
• Net elevation gain: 178 m
• Total ascent: 179 m
• Category: 4

Winnats Pass is short and modestly categorised, but the steep ramp makes it far more demanding than its average gradient suggests. Pace it by effort, gear it for the maximum, and it becomes a manageable, satisfying climb rather than a forced walk.