Looking for long hill climbs near GSO

[Chris Wing]

Good morning,
I'm currently acclimating to the area with routes, etc, I am looking for something near GSO that would make for good hill climbing, 20-60 minute efforts. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I haven't found much in the immediate area that would fit that description. Thanks!
CW

[Stephen Willis]

How far are you willing to drive? In terms of riding from in Greensboro, on a bike, to long hill climbs, there isn't really anything near that length unless you're willing to pedal over an hour to get there. In terms of closest, probably:

Going Northwest: 

Hanging Rock Mtn (1.7mi, 750ft)

Sauratown Mtn (2.4mi, 950ft), easy to combine into a loop with Hanging Rock

Pilot Mtn (2.1mi, 1050ft)

Those three are all 35-50 min away by car and paved. 

 Any further and you're climbing up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is full of great climbs that can be 20min or more. 

If you go West, you can hit good climbs in the Old Fort area (paved and non-paved). 

[Chris Wing]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, this will get me started!

---

From: triadc...@googlegroups.com <triadc...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Chris Wing <cmw...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 12:24 PM
To: Triad Ride List <triadc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [Triad Cycling] Looking for long hill climbs near GSO

 

Good morning,
I'm currently acclimating to the area with routes, etc, I am looking for something near GSO that would make for good hill climbing, 20-60 minute efforts. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I haven't found much in the immediate area that would fit that description. Thanks!
CW

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[Chris Wing]

For some clarity (should have offered previously), I've been riding for the past few years in Boone and just moved here for a PhD program. I like to compete in ultra endurance gravel events. Living in Boone was ideal for that kind of riding and training, but I am determined to make GSO work for me. So far I have really enjoyed a handful of rides in the area. I know I will have to get creative.

I have three days a week where I can commit to long rides, right now that's in the 4-5 hour range at an endurance pace (FTP when at peak fitness is around 3.5-4.0 w/kg). I'm working on base right now as well as some strength in the gym. I'd love to link up for some group rides and plan to join on a Saturday for sure in the near future.

I really appreciate the help, especially with the route ideas!

[Vincent Horne]

Drive to Danbury and ride around the mountains there, in a loop around hanging rock state park.   Sauratown mtn is a great 20 minute or so ascent.  Takes me 4 to 5 minutes just to descend it and also has spectacular views .   I have a 27 mile Strava route I’ll share here tonight. 

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[Andy Arnesen]

There is some solid climbing in Asheboro caraway mountain.  

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[Katelyn P]

Caraway is like 5 min or 10 min tops, not very long.

[hmwelch99]

I’m new to the area as well and live in Oak Ridge.  For Hanging Rock and Sauratown , is it reasonable to drive and launch from Walnut Cove?   Would riders commonly do that?

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On Oct 30, 2025, at 11:07 AM, Katelyn P <kately...@gmail.com> wrote:

Caraway is like 5 min or 10 min tops, not very long.

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[Vincent Horne]

I’ve done this loop or very close several times .   Idk if this specific variant includes Sauratown mtn or not but I think it does.   But Sauratown is a great climb and has spectacular views during the 4 to 5 minute descent.

You can also work in the climb to hanging rock SP which gets up to about 13% grade.

Vince

[John Erickson]

Great loop at Caraway that Liz Southern showed me, 9 miles, minimal traffic, 3 climbs, Caraway is the EZ one...email me off this list & Ill share  details...ericksj@gcsnc.com

John

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 12:24:57 PM UTC-4 cmw...@gmail.com wrote: