Went UP Sutton Bank today, been down it a few times but never up.
Scary, especially that last bit after the sharp left., all the money was falling out of my pockets,
Its got to be one of the steepest A roads, 25%, is that 1 in 4 in old money/.
A sign at side of road said 178 HGV breakdowns in 12months.
Piece of cake.
Try this, in a MacFarlanes Topliner artic :
PORLOCK HILL (A39), EXMOOR, NORTH DEVON
The village of Porlock used to be known as the village at the end of the world due to the steepness of the hills out of it: horsebound vehicles could not get past it. Even today caravans have to be dropped off here, or the new toll road taken.
The original Porlock hill is one of the toughest climbs in Exmoor. A classic. Best avoided in high summer -or do it early on in the morning.
The first three hairpins are the steepest, but it’s still hard going all the way up: 350 metres ascent in 3.4km is an average of 10%: early on it is a 1 in 4.
Coaches and Caravans are not allowed on this road 
, which is a plus, but you can still suffer when diesel vehicles crawl past in first gear. And they will be in first gear, Cos any driver have to be both pretty aggressive and skilful 
to get up any faster, and most tourists dont fit into that category. This is fairly fortunate: anyone driving up aggressively would probably hit any bikes loitering around a corner. And you do have to take your time…
The toll road can be taken for a more leisurely approach, but bikes are expected to pay 50 pence for the privelege. The toll is on the last hairpin -you can avoid it by taking a bridleway.
All the southbound climbs out of Porlock are just as bad; making for an entertaining little circuit.
–
Went up Porlock Hill in a 16 1/2 tonner Leyland Freighter 
about 15 years ago, quite an experience. That was the weight limit for it then, if I remember rightly. Plenty of good corners on that A39, some of which take a shunt or two. 
Rob K:
Coaches and Caravans are not allowed on this road
it’s also got a 17tonne weight limit on it
DAFMAD:
:shock: Went up Porlock Hill in a 16 1/2 tonner Leyland Freighter
Hello Steve 
DAFMAD:
:shock: Went up Porlock Hill in a 16 1/2 tonner Leyland Freighter
Well, I wasn’t there to see it, but a friend of mine made the mistake of taking a fully-freighted Atki with 180 Gardner over Kirkstone Pass - it made it (JUST!) but I believe he kept away from the All-Bran for a few days afterwards…
Denis F:
Rob K:
Coaches and Caravans are not allowed on this roadit’s also got a 17tonne weight limit on it
I know that now, but when you’re virtually at the bottom of the hill when it informs you of this then it’s a bit late and you find me somewhere to spin an artic round on that road anyway 
. I only had 4 pallets of pop on so I flew up it and down the other side no probs, although when I came to tip the load in Barnstaple all the pallets had broke and the contents were sat piled against the trailer doors 
Rob K:
I know that now, but when you’re virtually at the bottom of the hill when it informs you of this then it’s a bit late and you find me somewhere to spin an artic round on that road anyway
tis a bit on the narrow side there’s a farm about 3 mile before Porlock you could turn in, but that’s about as much use as a chocolate teapot ! Once you’re in Porlock , you’re right, the only option is to go up!
I go round when I can, but there are times when I have to go up - luckily 26t is less than 17t isn’t it
thats some climb, would be a good laugh in a V8 though…
Been over the Porlock in a MAN 17 tonner, and that was gairy enough. I had to shunt round one of the hairpins! Heavens only know how you got an artic round.
allikat:
Been over the Porlock in a MAN 17 tonner, and that was gairy enough. I had to shunt round one of the hairpins! Heavens only know how you got an artic round.
[/quote]There’s DRIVER’S and there’s SCREW-DRIVER’S, Allikat
You want a screwdriver? 
Two steep ones spring to mind…
1st,is the A174 at Saltburn near Redcar,where there is a double hairpin,which,on the downward trek,means your nearly on the beach.I can’t remember how steep it is,but I’m sure either Rikki or Lucy may be able to enlighten us.Coming up,you have to use all of the hairpins to get the angle of the dangle right,otherwise you have to,if forced,stop and set off again.No mean feat if you’re quite heavy.
The other one,is on the B6278 Stanhope to Barnard Castle road.From the A689,you cross through the ford,in Stanhope village,if your brave enough,and head on up the pass,as they say.You can see the hairpin at the top of the hill as you enter the ford,and,bearing in mind your wheels will be wet or damp,you tend to get wheelspin if you don’t go up in the correct gear.The other way to maybe avoid wheelspin,is to take the chicken route over the ford,about 100 yards up stream.Again,I’m unsure what the steepness is,but I’m sure someone will know.
However,I’m sure the steepest climb in the UK,is the very small road on Bealach Na Ba in Scotland.(Link below.) I seem to remember reading about this as a kid in my old mans AA book of the road.
Ken.
Rob K:
Piece of cake.Try this, in a MacFarlanes Topliner artic :l].
Whats a “MacFarlanes Topliner artic”
Is this any bigger, longer,heavier,more macho,my Dad can fight your Dad,
than a 45ft box on a Merc Axor,
Somewhere in the southern Dales there is a 1in3 signposted. Its years since I went to the area but recall it being somewhere around the Grassington/Kettlewell area, and no, I never tackled it in anything bigger than a car.
Anyone know where I’m on about?
Polesteeple hill in Biggin Hill Kent is officially registered as the steepest hill in the uk.
Unsure as to the exact gradient but halfway up there is a hairpin bend and cars have to use 1st gear and do a hill start!!
Not used it myself but cant argue with official records.
Have been up and down Porlock Hill in a Volvo coach at least 4 times as part of the Valley of The Rocks Tour as a Shearings driver, last time about 2 years ago. Didn’t know we were not supposed to and as far as I know it is still on their itinerary.
mojo:
Rob K:
Piece of cake.Try this, in a MacFarlanes Topliner artic :l].
Whats a “MacFarlanes Topliner artic”
Is this any bigger, longer,heavier,more macho,my Dad can fight your Dad,
than a 45ft box on a Merc Axor,
Well of course it is. My truck’s better than yours
No, only kidding, thought you were a class 2 lad 
. Been up and down Sutton in an artic a good few times though and you don’t really think about it after a while. 
Qhunter:
Somewhere in the southern Dales there is a 1in3 signposted. Its years since I went to the area but recall it being somewhere around the Grassington/Kettlewell area, and no, I never tackled it in anything bigger than a car.Anyone know where I’m on about?
Yes, I know where you mean. It used to be one of my favourite treks when I went out for a blast in my souped up motor many many years ago.
It’s here (see link) on the Kettlewell to Househouse and Gammersgill road (big map)
Rob K:
PORLOCK HILL (A39), EXMOOR, NORTH DEVON
BTW Rob, just to be pedantic
it’s in Somerset