Kent Alps¶

Most large hills can be found in the "Kent Alps", the unofficial name for the North and South Downs in Kent (which has over 200 named mountains).

The hill descriptions are ordered in assumed popularity.

PolHill¶

A fairly busy main road, although most of the climb has two lanes for ascending traffic.

The surface is a little rough in places, mainly at the bottom of the climb. The last 20% of the climb is nice and smooth to help with a final push on the climb.

Star Hill¶

A beautiful decent from the North where some real speed can be achieved.

From the South the climb feels quite draggy but doesnt get too steep. A nice wide road without being busy (compared to Poll Hill).

The surface of the climb is smooth by Kent road standards.

Baileys Hill¶

A tough climbing challenge even though the road never looks steep until nearing the top.

A short sharp climb at the bottom starts to sap strength from the legs before the view opens out. Look to the right for superb view over the Sevenoaks Weald valley during the ascent.

The first half of the climb is a steady ascent with the gradient taping off half way along. The top of the hill becomes covered by trees and the gradient reaches double figures before reaching the junction at the top

Turn right at the top and take the next left onto Gracious Lane for a lumpy route towards the top of Ide Hill.

• Distance: 1.3km
• Average gradient: 7 per cent
• Steepest gradient: 14 per cent

Bug Hill¶

A quiet side road with enough room for cars to overtake in most places.

Turning on to Bug Hill road, there a gentle gradient to start with.

The gradient quickly increases to 7% at the first corner and goes up to 13% for the main part of the climb.

The gradient eases a little as you climb and towards the next corner, where you can push for the top.

Vital Statistics

• Distance: 0.9km
• Average gradient: 7%
• Steepest gradient: 13%

Ide Hill¶

The climb is from the South and it is a fairly gradual increase of gradient and then starts to increase. There is a drop in gradient just before the last 150 meters.

A resurfaced road in 2025 makes for a nice climbing experience even though its a 'B' class road (B2042). s Light traffic is to be expected but there are several opportunities for overtaking.

The climb is named after Ide Hill village at the highest point, a short sharp climb off the main road past the Ide Hill Cafe.

Vital statistics

• Distance: 2.4km
• Average gradient: 5$
• Steepest gradient: 10%

Toys Hill¶

Tackle the second highest mountain in Kent.

The North side from Brasted (along Brasted Chart) is a long steady challenge, gradually increasing at a relatively manageable pace.

The South side from Ide Hill Road is a significantly bigger challenge, with steeper gradient that continues to get steeper almost at the top.

The junction at Emmetts Road at 3km from Brasted is a convenient stopping point on the North side climb, although it is not quite at the highest point of the climb.

Use Emmets Road Junction a point for repeating the North side climb. Or ride to the end of Emmetts Road to take the decent down to Sundridge Village (as a prelude to riding to PolHill or Star Lane).

North Side¶

Starts with a gradual ascent at the bottom of Chart Lane. Tree cover at the bottom which keeps you riders cool on warmer days.

Descending down the south side of Toys Hill should be tackled with great care, due to the steepness of the decent and the twisting nature of the road.

In the autumn branches and leaves may lay on the road making the decent a greater risk.

• Distance: 3 km (Ide Hill Road to Fox & Hounds)
• Elevation change: 150 m
• Average gradient: 5%
• Maximum gradient: 7.1%

South Side¶

The South-side ascent starts with a gentle gradient, but gets steeper further up the climb as it ramps up to 18% near the top.

A left turn onto Puddledock Lane (at 2.3km) provides the opportunity to catch your breath, before tackling the hardest part of the climb.

The climb is mostly tree-lined so is quite sheltered, though it does also shelter many potential views from the top.

• Distance: 3 km (Ide Hill Road to Fox & Hounds)
• Average gradient: 6 %
• Maximum gradient: 18%
• Height gain: 173 m

Star Hill¶

Star Hill road is North West from the roundabout connecting the B2211 and A224 roads. It is the size of an A road and the surface is in good condition.

The gradient starts relatively shallow and quickly increases, more so as the road swings to the left. The gradient reaches 11% as the road turns right for the final streatch, with the gradient easing as you approach the top.

The road flattens and then a gentle decent into the East end of Knockholt.

Vital statistics

• Distance: 1.2km
• Elevation gain: 119 meters
• Average gradient: Eight per cent
• Steepest gradient: 11 per cent

Sundridge Hill¶

A tough climb even when starting from Pilgrims way, as the gradient quickly gets over 14%.

The gradient starts to ease a little a third of the way along (although it may not feel like it), although gradient remains between 8-10% until near the top of the climb.

Just when you think the hill is over, there is a little bit more to climb 😅

Traffic is generally light although the road does not always have room for a car and a bicycle to pass without one pulling over.

Carters Hill aka One Tree Hill¶

Known as One Tree Hill from the National Trust site nearby, ironically the road is flourished with trees.

The climb rises straight up the hillside and the gradient increases into double figures, followed by a short ‘plateau’ of six per cent which offers some respite.

The gradient then jumps up to 13 per cent for the rest of the way to the top.

Vital statistics

• Distance: 0.8km
• Average gradient: 11 per cent
• Steepest gradient: 15 per cent

Virgo Hill¶

A significant climbing challenge.

A gradual climb that increases to 23.4% near the top. In the top 10 of climbs in Kent.

Boxley Hill¶

A longer ascent in the East of the Kent Alps.

Boxley Hill has two distinct parts that you’ll want to be prepared for. This is a climb which has it all – length and gradient.

The climb starts with a gentle rise which varies between 3% and 6% for the first 2 km. At the switch-back the gradient rises to a maximum of 17 %.

After the switch-back the climb briefly eases then the gradient quickly rises up to 23 % and will require significant effort to reach the top.

Vital statistics

• Distance: 2.7km
• Average gradient: Five per cent
• Steepest gradient: 23 per cent

Wye Hill¶

Also known as: Devil’s Kneading Trough

Spectacular views of the Romney Marsh and Weald await you at the gop of Devil’s Kneading Trough, even able to see the English Channel in the distance on a clear day.

Coldharbour Road rolls up the Wye National Nature Reserve (designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The main climb is Wye Hill and rises at an average of four per cent over 2.8km, giving you views of the Trough at the summit.

The Southern approach up Brabourne Hill is 0.8km with an average of 7%.

A left at the crossroads at the top and you arrive at the Trough.

Vital statistics

• Distance: 2.8km
• Average gradient: Four per cent
• Steepest gradient: Ten per cent

Hogtrough Hill¶

Brasted Hill¶

A narrow single vehicle with road, making a difficult climbing challenging if traffic descends the hill (and a significantly risky descent).

The hill starts in the small village of Brasted, where it rises gently for the first 1.5km.

Once passed the Pilgrims Way the gradient starts to ramp up to 20% for the next 500 meters.

The gradient levels out for the final 100 meters.

• Distance: 2.1km
• Average gradient: 5 per cent
• Steepest gradient: 19 per cent

Westerham Hill¶

Not a climb I would recommend as it can be a busy main road with little room for cars to overtake.

Significant danger if weaving due to struggling with the gradient, especially around the bend near the top of the climb. Ensure you are be comfortable with traffic overtaking you fairly closely.

The decent can also be concerning, especially if traffic is crossing the main road on Pilgrims Way.

From 30^th October 2026 a 40 MPH speed limit is applied to the entirety of the climb.