Climb 1 of 22Surrey, EnglandFree in the app
Box Hill
Box Hill is in the Surrey Hills, south of London. Its Zig Zag Road is one of the best known climbs in England. In the 2012 Olympic road race, the riders went up it again and again.
- km long
- 2.4
- metres up
- 120
- steepest part
- 6%
- Flat
- Gentle
- Steady
- Hard
- Steep
How long does it take to ride up Box Hill?
For a rider who weighs 75 kg, riding at a steady pace with no stops:
- New to exercise: about 17 min
- I ride now and then: about 13 min
- I ride most weeks: about 11 min
Put in your own weight and fitness to see your time.
Ride Box Hill at home
In Couch to Climb, the plan for Box Hill is 6 weeks, with 3 rides a week on your smart trainer. It is the first climb, and it is free.
About the climb
The climb follows the Zig Zag Road, which bends back and forth up the side of the hill from near Mickleham. It is a gentle, steady road with no very steep parts.
For the 2012 Olympic Games, the men's road race rode nine laps of a loop over Box Hill. The women's race climbed it twice.
Riding it for real
At the top you will find a National Trust café and the Salomons Memorial viewpoint, which looks over the Weald to the South Downs. The Zig Zag Road is not a public right of way, so the National Trust closes it for one day each year to keep it that way.
Questions about riding Box Hill
Box Hill is in the Surrey Hills, south of London. Its Zig Zag Road is one of the best known climbs in England. In the 2012 Olympic road race, the riders went up it again and again.
Where does the Box Hill climb start?
It starts at the bottom of the Zig Zag Road, near the village of Mickleham. The road then winds up to the National Trust area at the top.
How many times did the Olympic road race go up Box Hill?
In the 2012 Olympic Games, the men's race climbed it nine times. The women's race climbed it twice.
Is Box Hill a good hill for beginners?
Yes. The slope is gentle and even, so it makes a good first hill. It is also the first climb in Couch to Climb, and it is free. You train for it at home on a smart trainer.
Updated . Written by Next Big Leap Ltd, who make the Couch to Climb app.
Ride up a famous climb on your indoor bike
Couch to Climb is a step by step plan for a smart trainer at home. It takes you from the sofa to the top of a real climb, with no stops. Your first climb, Box Hill, is free.
