During the Tour Down Under, Adelaide is absolutely buzzing with cyclists as the road racing world descends on the South Australian capital. However, it’s definitely worth a visit at other times of the year too, and is home to some truly excellent ride options that can take you deep into the surrounding hills.
If you’re off for a loop in the Adelaide Hills, then you have to make a decision: how are you going to get there? Regardless of which way you go, you’re going to have to tackle a pretty decent climb to leave town, so we thought we’d compile a list of the most popular options below — listed here (in order) from north to south.
Also, a quick side note: good luck going for any KOMs in and around Adelaide… the pros, who have recorded their rides at the TDU on Strava, have put most segments completely out of reach, as you’ll see below!
Anstey Hill
3.11km at 6%, 187m elevation gain. Strava segment
KOM: Kelland O’Brien (6:49 / 27.4km/h / 477 watts)
One of the shorter hills in town, Anstey starts in Adelaide’s outer northeastern suburbs, and is the perfect launching pad for adventures towards the Barossa Valley. For most of its length it’s pretty steep, but it levels off at around 2.5km, where you can really jam it.
Gorge Road (Lower Section)
7.99km at 2.0%, 162m elevation gain. Strava segment
KOM: Robert Gesink (11:58 / 40.1km/h / 345 watts)
Gorge Road is one of the most picturesque roads in the area, and even though it’s pretty easy, keep in mind that there’s at least 10 more kilometres of uphill to Cudlee Creek where it flattens out a bit — or, if you turn right at Corkscrew Road, it can also be finished off with one of the toughest climbs in Adelaide.
Montacute Road
7.24km at 4.9%, 355m elevation gain. Strava segment
KOM: Gary Crankshaft (15:50 / 27.5km/h / 399 watts)
Montacute is a solid climb that takes you to the top of the Corkscrew from the other side, but is probably slightly easier and slightly less popular than the other hills listed below; it’s more regularly used as a descent to return to town. It’s still worth doing though, starting off quite easy, and getting steeper near the top.
Norton Summit
5.48km at 5.3%, 292m elevation gain. Strava segment
KOM: Thomas De Gendt (11:06 / 29.6km/h / 427 watts)
Probably the most popular of the Adelaide climbs, Norton Summit is used as a benchmark for many of the city’s serious cyclists, and is quite conveniently located in relation to the CBD. You can also access many popular riding areas in the Adelaide Hills from the top.
Greenhill Road
7.18km at 6.6%, 471m elevation gain. Strava segment
KOM: Chris Harper (17:38 / 24.5km/h / 415 watts)
Probably one of the hardest ways to get into the hills, Greenhill Road is a very solid climb, with some nice views of the city as you roll through the switchbacks that appear in the first half of it. At the top, you can choose to push on to Mount Lofty for a little more punishment.
The Old Freeway
8.64km at 4.8%, 415m elevation gain. Strava segment
KOM: Chris Harper (17:43 / 29.3km/h / 428 watts)
The Old Freeway is almost as popular as Norton Summit, and for many riders, is the preferable climb of the two given that for most of its length you’re on a bike path separated from the road — also making it by far the safest option in town. Once you’re at Crafers, in terms of ride options, the world really is your oyster.
Windy Point / Belair Road
3.6km at 5.6%, 203m elevation gain. Strava segment
KOM: Chris Harper (7:52 / 27.5km/h / 450 watts)
The furthest south of the options on this list, Windy Point starts off hard but levels off, and at the lookout around halfway up, offers one of the best viewpoints of the city that you’re likely to find. It’s perfect for accessing the southern section of the Adelaide Hills and the various roads that stretch off in the direction of Mount Barker.