• New Road
• Length: 1.57 miles
• Avg gradient: 5.1%   Peak gradient: 10.5%
• Difficulty: 3/5
• Likelihood of encountering unpleasant motor-vehicles: 2/5
• Elevation gain: 419ft
• Strava

A beautiful Derbyshire climb.

If you’ve been out in the Hope Valley, but don’t fancy tackling Fiddler’s Elbow, Surprise View or The Dale on your return to Sheffield, the best option to get up over that big hill between you and the city is probably New Road, near Bamford.

Just south of Ladybower Reservoir you’ll find this rather picturesque climb that is never too hard but also never easy. As you turn off Ashopton Road, you’re straight into a 9% climb, so it’s heads down from the off. The gradient fluctuates between 5 – 10% for the next mile or so as you ascend the tree lined road. On your left, you’re presented with the imposing sight of Bamford Moor and, on your right, the view across the valley towards Thornhill and Shatton, the vista improving steadily as you make your way up New Road.

It’s a fairly straight line, with the biggest hazard being gangs of walkers or motorists descending a bit too quickly but it’s usually a relatively quiet ascent. One of the highlights happens around the 0.7 mile mark when, suddenly, the trees on your right drop away to reveal a most spectacular panorama across the valley. In the distance you might spy Shatton Mast, sitting atop Shatton Moor, the climb up to which I’d rate as a 5/5 (but we’ll save that for a later date).

The gradient sits around 5% here, so keep enjoying the view until you meet another line of trees and the road bends round to the left at what feels like its steepest section. You’ll shortly reach a summit, where there will likely be a few cars parked by local hikers, but you’re not at the end of the climb yet. The hill drops away into a fun and welcome descent but do take care, especially on the sharp right-hand bend which descends at -9%.

Try to keep your momentum here, as the gradient returns to almost 10% (but can feel greater), and you’ll soon reach the apex, where you’re greeted with a bench to sit on and one of the most beautiful views in the area.