Where is Ffordd Pen Llech?

Okay, picture this: You're in North Wales, in the ridiculously charming medieval town of Harlech, right on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. You stumble upon Ffordd Pen Llech. It's a fully paved, single-track road that hugs the side of Harlech Castle like it's trying to escape.

Now, this isn't just any road. We're talking seriously steep, with sections hitting a crazy 37.45% gradient! It's so intense that for a while, Guinness actually called it the steepest street on the planet. To keep things from getting totally chaotic, they've made the upper part one-way downhill, because the thought of cars meeting and trying to restart on that slope? Nightmare fuel.

The whole thing is only about 0.2 miles long, but you gain a whopping 170 feet in elevation. That’s an average gradient of 17.33%! For cyclists, this is a legendary climb – brutal, yes, but unforgettable. And hey, if you’re feeling chicken, there’s another, slightly less insane route up the hill, with gradients topping out at a “mere” 25%. Either way, buckle up for some incredible views and a seriously unforgettable drive.