Compiling a list without a calculation method is still a matter of trial and error. Is a long climb without extreme percentages more difficult than a short wall? And does a flat part get you out of your rhythm or is it a welcome change before the next steep wall? It's not easy, but we managed to put together a complete list. Here's part 2. Curious about part 1? Read it here.
Four names that may be less known, but one everyone knows. A must-do.
Although the Rue Saint-Roch has been a regular feature of Liege-Bastogne-Liege for years, this climb is relatively little unknown. It's probably because the slope is usually visited before the TV broadcast begins. But the images of the peloton wriggling through the narrow street of Houffalize straight up are spectacular. Over 900 meters it goes up with an average of no less than 12%. And the first 500 meters are way above that. It's a hard ride from start to finish. Nothing difficult, just straight into the legs and plodding away. If you can stay on your bike, that is. Former participants of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège Challenge and La Chouffe Classic know all about it.
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Chaudfontaine is not only known for mineral water. This Walloon municipality also contains a large number of magnificent knee breakers. The Rue Fond des Cris is a beautiful slope that goes up in a big curve towards Ninane. With almost 2 kilometers of 8 to 9%, you can ideally imitate an Alpine climb. But at the foot of the climb you will find a turn to the left. This is easily recognized by the sign: 19%. It is the Voie des Chars and you know enough, this is not a cat that you should tackle without gloves. In just 1300 meters it arrives at the same place in Ninane. Through three horribly steep walls it goes straight up. From the first meter it is immediately full speed ahead. The intermediate section that follows is barely enough to bring the heart rate down. The beautifully asphalted road soon climbs again to hurt your legs even more. These hectometers are tough and there seems to be no end to them. After another brief interlude, a final effort awaits you. At 13% at most, it's not as steep as the previous two, but that's how it feels. Just a few more minutes and the torment is over. Completely exhausted you end up in the village to return to earth.
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The Cote de Drolenval was included in the route of the Klimclassic a few years ago. A very mean one, because of the sting in the tail. From the main road, the sign Drolenval is already indicated. The first part you ride along the trees towards the village. The road becomes gradually steeper and the legs are asked for the utmost. In the hamlet of Drolenval the road briefly flattens out, but it is hardly enough to digest the effort of the first 800 meters. The wall that follows is truly beastly. Cycling is just not that much fun anymore. And 300 meters is still a long way to go. But then it's finally finished. If you look back you can see the 18% sign.
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The Mur de Huy is a must! Even the most inveterate cycling hater knows it. This used to be the finish of the Granfondo Eddy Merckx which unfortunately no longer exists. It begins with the Chemin des Chapelles that runs beautifully between the buildings. The 'crooked houses' show how steep it is here. From the start, the word Huy is chalked in the characteristic letters on the road. Neatly maintained. Clearly, Huy loves its wall. The first 250 meters are quite steep. After the second right-hand bend, the road flattens out briefly, but you can see the famous bend getting closer. Unbelievable, how steep it is. The lucky ones who can still sit on their bikes sway and pull their handlebars. You wonder how the pros can still push here for a final sprint. The turn is the beginning of a 200 meter climb with an average of more than 20%. Very slowly it gets easier again. The point where you can catch your breath again lies much further away. Truly a beast of a climb this famous wall. But what a fantastic experience this piece of cycling history is.
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The area around Dinant and Namur probably once suffered from a shortage of asphalt. In this region, it is not unusual to have the roads run uphill in the shortest possible way. And La Gayolle is certainly no exception. The length, the mediocre road surface, combined with the extremely steep finish makes this slope a real killer climb. Because of the moderate road surface, I doubted whether I should include it. A few times La Gayolle was part of the Tour de Namur course. When I rode it myself the weather was perfect (see video), but with wet roads the drama would be even greater than it already was. From Yvoir it is a bit of a search, but once you have found it, the road soon goes up. The first 900 meters go up to 10%, but in the forest all hell breaks loose. The video is beautiful and the part after 6:20 min. says it all. A downright monster climb that rightfully deserves a place in this list.
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26. Cote de Beffe
25. Cote de Wanneranval
24. Thier de Nonceveux
23. Chambralles
22. Cote d'Amermont
21. Cote de la Redoute
20. Rue Saint-Roch
19. Voie des Chars
18. Cote de Drolenval
17. Mur de Huy
16. La Gayolle
Pictures: CycloWorld (Voie des Chars), Kuitenbijters.com (Mur de Huy)
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