Mount Barrow is a climb of 11.9 kilometers (hors catégorie). Mount Barrow tops out at 1,299 m above sea level. It is located in Nunamara, Tasmania, Australia. The average gradient is 7.6% with a maximum of 15.3%. The climb has 912 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty analysis: This hors catégorie climb has a very irregular profile. The main difficulty lies in the succession of three extremely steep kilometres (11%, 11%, 12%) at the end of the route, after an almost flat section (KM 4.0-6.0) that breaks the rhythm. The average gradient of 7.6% is misleading, masking some very demanding stretches.
Tips for managing the effort:
1. Pacing: Resist the temptation to go too hard in the first kilometres, despite the 11% and 10% ramps. Use the flat section (KM 4-6) to recover actively (small chainring, soft pedalling) and prepare for the final assault.
2. Save something for the end: Make sure you keep energy in the tank for the last three kilometres (9% to 12%), which are the hardest. Plan your gear changes ahead so you don't lose your rhythm on these brutal gradients.
For riders looking for a technical, wild challenge, the climb up Mount Barrow is a memorable experience. Riders describe a narrow, steep, twisty road, a dirt track that snakes through tight switchbacks all the way to the summit. It's a demanding climb, often compared to the iconic Jacob's Ladder on Ben Lomond, but in a more "raw" and rugged version.
The payoff, however, matches the effort. Those who have ridden up the mountain agree on the 360-degree panoramic views. On a clear day, the view stretches all the way to the ocean, and the alpine zone, with its unique flora and passages through the clouds, feels like being "in another world". Some even mention the chance to see the aurora during clear nights.
The experience is authentic and stripped back: there are no facilities at the top. Riders need to be fully self-sufficient. Some describe the descent as an intense, even "scary" moment, because of the gradient and the narrowness of the road. It's also worth noting that caution is required in snowy conditions.
Close to Launceston, this climb is presented as an accessible adventure destination, ideal for gravel and mountain bikes, and it makes it possible to combine the ascent with other famous roads in the region in a single day. According to riders' accounts, it's an adventure that leaves a powerful memory of pure, untouched nature.
11.9 km • 912 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
Join thousands of cycling fans! Plan your rides, record your performance, track your progress and discover the finest climbs.
Live climb profile to pace your effort all the way to the top.
