The steep roads in the world take us from the UK to New Zealand to North America. Some streets are sharp urban climbs, while others are more remote and meander through picturesque countryside. One thing's for sure, without the world's peaks, we wouldn't get such beautiful vistas – here's our pick of the five streets that are widely considered the steepest on the planet.
1. Baldwin Street, New Zealand
- Location: North East Valley, Dunedin, South Island
- Length: 350 m
- Elevation gain: 70 m
- Max gradient: 35 %
Baldwin Street is recognised by Guinness World Records as the steepest paved street in the world. It's built out of concrete slabs, as the upper section is so steep that asphalt would melt and flow downwards on hot days. The 350m-long road has an overall elevation gain of 70m and a max gradient of 35% – that's 1m up for every 2.9m forward.
2. Waipi'o Valley Road, Hawaii
- Location: Waipi’o Valley, Big Island, Hawaii
- Length: 3.2 km
- Elevation gain: 230 m
- Max Gradient: Approximately 45 %
This remote road plunges into Waipi’o Valley on Hawaii's Big Island. The extreme steepness has destroyed many car brakes and engines over the years, causing local authorities to restrict it to four-wheel drive access only. With gradients that can exceed 40 %, some claim it's the world's steepest road, but the steepest sections are too short to qualify the road as an official world record (10m length required).
3. Ffordd Pen Llech, Wales
- Location: Harlech, North Wales, UK
- Length: 335m
- Elevation gain: 54m
- Maximum gradient: 28.6%
Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, North Wales has historically been cited (and briefly held a Guinness record) as Britain’s steepest street, with various gradient measures up to 37.45 % over very short, curbed sections. However, more recent surveys put the official mid‑street gradient closer to 28.6 %. The hill is also known as the 2019 location for the Harlech Hell Hill climb.
4. Canton Avenue, Pittsburgh, USA
- Location: Beechview, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Length: 190m
- Elevation gain: 57m
- Maximum gradient: 37% (6m section)
Pittsburgh, USA, has historically been known as the Steel City. It's here that the steel was sourced for iconic American landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. Other than steel and sports, Pittsburgh is also known for its steep streets. One street in particular takes the biscuit as the steepest on average in North America. With a whopping 30% average incline, Canton Avenue's cobblestoned pitch is brief but fierce, topping out at 37% at the steepest (6m) section.
5. Bradford Street, San Francisco, USA
- Location: Bernal Heights, San Francisco, USA
- Length: 170m
- Elevation gain: 33m
- Maximum gradient: 39% (9m section)
Bradford Street is located in the Bernal Heights neighbourhood of San Francisco, an area known for its steep hills, colourful houses, and panoramic views over the city. Set on a hillside overlooking the Mission District, the street climbs sharply alongside residential homes. We measured the stretch in question at 170m in length with 33m overall elevation. Some gradient assessments place Bradford Street among the steepest in the world, with extremely sharp pitches that reach up to 39% over a 9m section.
