Climb 4 of 22East Flanders, Belgium
Koppenberg
The Koppenberg is a short, steep cobbled hill near Oudenaarde, in the Flemish Ardennes of Belgium. It is one of the hardest climbs in the Tour of Flanders.
- km long
- 0.6
- metres up
- 64
- steepest part
- 17%
- Flat
- Gentle
- Steady
- Hard
- Steep
How long does it take to ride up Koppenberg?
For a rider who weighs 75 kg, riding at a steady pace with no stops:
- New to exercise: about 9 min
- I ride now and then: about 6 min
- I ride most weeks: about 5 min
Put in your own weight and fitness to see your time.
Ride Koppenberg at home
In Couch to Climb, the plan for Koppenberg is 6 weeks, with 3 rides a week on your smart trainer. It is climb 4 of 22. You start on Box Hill for free, then work up the climbs one at a time.
About the climb
The road is cobbled and very steep, with the hardest part in the middle. Its name comes from "kinderkoppen", Dutch slang for the cobbles. It means children's heads.
The Tour of Flanders first used the hill in 1976. In 1987 the Danish rider Jesper Skibby was in the lead when a race official's car knocked him over on the climb. The hill was left out for 15 years, then came back in 2002 after the road was widened and relaid. It has been in every race since 2008, and the women's race added it in 2022.
Riding it for real
The top of the hill is 77 m above sea level. Each year there is also a cyclo-cross race on the hillside, which uses part of the cobbled road and the fields around it.
Questions about riding Koppenberg
The Koppenberg is a short, steep cobbled hill near Oudenaarde, in the Flemish Ardennes of Belgium. It is one of the hardest climbs in the Tour of Flanders.
What happened on the Koppenberg in 1987?
Jesper Skibby was leading the Tour of Flanders when a race official's car knocked him over on the climb. After that, the race left the hill out for 15 years.
Is the Koppenberg in the Tour of Flanders?
Yes. It has been in every men's race since 2008, and in the women's race since 2022.
Can I ride the Koppenberg on a smart trainer?
Yes. The Koppenberg is one of the 22 climbs in Couch to Climb. The app gives you a step by step plan that you ride 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.
