More cycling in the Adelaide Hills

A little more than a year ago, at the 2014 Tour Down Under, I got to ride my bike in the Adelaide Hills for the first time. It was an eye-opening experience — I always knew there were some great climbs near Adelaide but I didn’t realise how close to the city they were. Melburnians: imagine having the 1 in 20 less than 10km from the Melbourne CBD. Yeah. Awesome.

Last week I was lucky enough to head over to the Tour Down Under for the second year in a row, again covering the race for CyclingTips. I took my bike in the hope of getting out and exploring some more of the many terrific climbs in reach of the city.

Unlike last year, where I managed to get out for new fewer than five rides for the week, this time I only managed two short rides (and a run). I was certainly hoping to spend some more time on the bike, but I’ll definitely take two rides over none. Here are the new climbs I got a chance to check out.

Descending Norton Summit with CyclingTips founder Wade Wallace.
Descending Norton Summit with CyclingTips founder Wade Wallace.

Greenhill Road

Last year I got the opportunity to descend Greenhill Road and it was one of the most memorable descents of the trip, not least because of the city views that open up partway through the climb. This time around I was keen to tackle Greenhill in the opposite direction and see what it’s like as a climb.

As with most of the climbs into the Adelaide Hills east of the city, it’s an uphill approach to the start of the Greenhill Road climb proper. Nothing particularly steep, just a gentle uphill drag that gets you nicely warmed up before the more serious climbing begins.

Climbing Greenhill Road
Climbing Greenhill Road

I’m not quite sure where local Adelaidian cyclists take the “start” of the Greenhill Road climb to be but from Strava it looks like there are three main length options: 9.6km at 5%, which starts a little closer to town; 7.2km at 7%, which starts a little closer to the hills; and 6.5km at 6%, which seems to skip part of the climb.

My inclination would be to go for the middle option, where the climb “starts” just after Glynburn Road and extends for 7.2km.

Like Norton Summit, the Greenhill Road climb isn’t particularly impressive to begin with. You’re climbing through the suburbs of Adelaide with plenty of traffic around and a pretty ordinary road surface in a lot of places. Thankfully that soon changes.

More views from Greenhill.
More views from Greenhill.

I found the first part of the climb to be the steepest. The road seemed to be close to 10% for much of the opening kilometre or so, but after that it settled down and it was easier to find a more comfortable rhythm.

After a couple of kilometres the traffic seemed to die down as well and then the views started to improve. There’s a terrific vantage point over the city after 2.4km of climbing and the views throughout are actually quiet impressive. I was riding with my CyclingTips boss Wade and we stopped for a handful of photos in this early section. With a tight schedule though we needed to make up some time, so Wade went to the front on the top section of the climb and upped the tempo. Ouch.

This is a climb I’d love to head back and do again at some point, and try to see what sort of time I could do it in. Coming from Melbourne, where you have to travel at least 40km from the CBD to get a climb this long and scenic, it blows my mind that this ascent starts less than 7km from the centre of Adelaide.

Click here to see my Strava file from the ride.

Old Norton Summit

In the same way that the 1 in 20 is arguably the benchmark climb in Melbourne, Norton Summit Road is a real testing ground for Adelaide cyclists. But right next door to Norton Summit Road is Old Norton Summit Road, presumably the main road up to the small town before the “new” Norton Summit Road was built.

As with Greenhill, I’d descended Old Norton last year but this time around I was keen to experience it as a climb.

Old Norton Summit Road is 5.2km at 6%, a little shorter and steeper than its more popular neighbour, and the two climbs start in the same place: where Macgill Road becomes Old Norton Summit Road.

Like Norton Summit the start of Old Norton isn’t particularly scenic, but it also doesn’t really improve all that much on the way up. That’s not to say that it’s an ugly climb, just that it lacks the amazing views of the upper reaches of “New Norton”.

Climbing Old Norton Summit Road.
Climbing Old Norton Summit Road.

I found the climb to be quite “rampy” with some sections that were really easy and others that were considerably less so. The Strava profile seems to suggest that the first 3km are reasonably gentle, but from then on it’s quite a bit steeper. I do remember there being some steeper ramps towards the top but the climb is short enough that it doesn’t feel massively challenging.

This is another climb I’d love to come back to and have a real crack at.

Click here to see my Strava file from the ride.

For next time …

I’d love to come back to Adelaide do to some riding at a time when I’m not having to rush off to get to work. There are a number of climbs I’d like to check out when that happens.

Old Willunga Hill is one such climb. Having driven up this hill in the media car on stage 5 of the TDU I can tell you it’s a stunning bit of road. The views out to the left as you climb are just amazing and it would be a joy to ride this stretch of road that has become so famous in recent years.

I’d also like to give Torrens Hill Road a crack. This is the climb on which Rohan Dennis made his race-winning move at this year’s TDU. Having been in the Shimano Neutral Service car on that stage and seeing the carnage this steep ascent caused, I’d love to give it a go myself.

There are so many others, plus I’d love to head back to Corkscrew Road, the Nortons, Greenhill and a few more to see how fast I could do them. It might need to be a long visit …


16 Replies to “More cycling in the Adelaide Hills”

  1. Being a Willunga local, I suggest after climbing Old Willunga Hill head along Pages Flat Rd. towards Myponga but turn right towards Sellicks Beach and then left up Reservoir Rd. Its a good climb with a view you can’t beat.

  2. Most locals avoid “climbing” Greenhill because there is NO room for cars, especially during peak traffic. Much better to go up the Freeway, or Norton Road. Descending Greenhill Road is Ok because you can usually stay in front of the cars, it’s a fast descent with great views of the city.

    Brendan Edwards, April is a great to ride in the Adelaide Hills, much of the hills have autumn trees which makes it pretty. The hills are much colder than the plains. April conditions require 3/4 nix, wool undershirt, shirt sleeved jersey, arm warmers, spray jacket or rain jacket if rain is predicted. Expect temp between 5 and 15 in the hills. If you are interested in climbing (I’m not) but the best and hardest climbs are used in the Ride For Pain community ride. These are quiet, steep, & wet rides. You should be able to access the routes. Our fave cafe is Kelsey Cottage at Balhanah, and The Organic Care at Stirling.

    Hope this helps a little. Enjoy.

  3. Great stuff Matt and please visit anytime… autumn probably the best to avoid the heat unless you love it hot! And all you other Victorians you’re always welcome! Use those super light bikes for what they’re built for 🙂 You could easily fill a week here with different loops, just bring your climbing legs! The coffee has improved too.. 😉

  4. Hi Matt
    I saw you at the start line at McLaren Vale on the other side of the road busy taking notes, it was my first time at the TDU and riding in Adelaide loved the hills so many good roads, I think my best were Marble Hill/Corkscrew and Basket Range. I had 8 days there so plenty of time to ride and watch, such a well run event hope to do it again next year.

  5. I’m glad you enjoyed our city. We are spoilt here for a lot of climbs just out of the suburbs. You will have to try the old freeway to Eagle on the hill, then across to Mt Lofty and Gorge road to Cuddle Creek, then up to Lobethal. Great pics and blog.

  6. If you end up doing Willunga, schedule time for Taylors Hill Road. It’s a small road running roughly parallel to the Willunga climb, but the best bit is it’s gravel and the views are fantastic.

    It’s about the same distance as Willunga, but more rampy, and, with a little imagination, you could be on the Strade Bianche in Tuscany. Don’t miss it.

  7. Agreed! I try to do at least one new one every time I go over but still have a few to cross off. Woods Point Rd towards Mt Lofty is amazing, and the run from the Ashton intersection through Basket Range and Lobethal is just all stunning climb and descent over and over.
    We also found some great climbs riding down to Willunga – Belair, main rd to cherry gardens, coromandel…
    I’m incredibly jealous of the guys who get to ride there every day!
    How about Climbing Cyclist Tour?

  8. I’m heading up to Adelaide in April. Hopefully will get a chance to try some of these out.
    PS: Love the photo of the Koala 🙂

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