The climb · United Kingdom
About High Knowles
High Knowles climbs from the Alnham side of Northumberland towards the higher ground to the north-west. Over about 3.8 kilometres, the road offers a more complicated ascent than a single continuous bank. The opening follows a watercourse before turning into the hillside, and the bends introduce a stronger rise. As the trees give way to more open surroundings, the wind can become a more noticeable part of the effort.
The gradient changes several times, with easier stretches breaking the harder passages. A descent interrupts the height gained before another climb carries the road towards its upper finish. That loss and recovery of height matters: reaching the first high ground does not mean the work is over. The selected ascent ends after renewed climbing, leaving the impression of a road that keeps changing its terms. High Knowles is memorable for its turns, exposed setting and the second demand beyond the dip.
01 / The ascent
Elevation profile
02 / The crux
Where it gets difficult
Choose a distance to find the steepest continuous section of the climb.
Steepest 500 m average
10.3%
Where to find it
1.10–1.60 km from start
- Net height gained
- 51 m
- Section length
- 500 m
03 / The numbers
Climb statistics
- Distance
- 3.79 km
- Elevation gain
- 230 m
- Average gradient
- 5.2%
- Climb category
- 3
- Start elevation
- 146 m
- Summit elevation
- 343 m
04 / Your effort
How long would it take?
Enter the power you could hold for the whole climb. We calculate a moving time from the elevation profile and the forces you ride against.
Use your intended climbing effort, rather than FTP unless you can hold it for the predicted duration.
Bike + kit includes clothing, bottles and luggage.
Advanced settings
Defaults represent a road-bike scenario. Adjust these settings to match your tyres, drivetrain and riding position.
Modelled moving time
16 min
- Power throughout
- 225 W
- Average speed
- 13.8 km/h
Based on the 3.79 km elevation profile. Assumes steady power, with no stops, braking or drafting. Rounded to the nearest minute.
The science behind the calculation
For each part of the stored profile, we solve the steady-state cycling power equation for speed, then add distance ÷ speed across the climb. Gravity uses rider + equipment weight; available power is W/kg × rider weight. This uses the profile’s distance and elevation together, without mixing in another route’s metrics.
Power × efficiency = gravity + rolling resistance + air resistance + bearing losses
The resistance equations are adapted from Martin et al. (1998), Validation of a Mathematical Model for Road Cycling Power. Air density changes with profile altitude using NASA’s standard-atmosphere model. This calculator’s adaptation has not been independently validated.
It predicts travel at the power you enter, including on descents. It does not model acceleration, cornering, braking, traffic, wind, changing weather or fatigue. At altitude, choose power you can sustain there: thinner air reduces drag, but this model does not predict its effect on your ability to produce power. Profile quality and assumed equipment settings also affect the result.
05 / On the ground
Route map
Route overview
High Knowles
Alnwick, England, United Kingdom
- Route length
- 3.79 km
- Total ascent
- 230 m
- Average gradient
- 5.2%
06 / Take it home
The climb, as artwork
Turn the route into a personalised topographic print. Choose your colours and composition, then download your artwork.
07 / Keep exploring
Nearby climbs
Tinnis Hill
6.3 km · 3.7% · 233 m gain
56.2 km away · Explore climb →
Peat Hill
3.5 km · 7.3% · 260 m gain
73.3 km away · Explore climb →
Chapel Fell
4.0 km · 8.3% · 334 m gain
Bishop Auckland, UK, England, United Kingdom
73.7 km away · Explore climb →
The Great Dun Fell
7.3 km · 10.2% · 631 m gain
Appleby In Westmorland, Cumbria, United Kingdom
89.2 km away · Explore climb →
Buttertubs
5.0 km · 5.4% · 269 m gain
Hawes, United Kingdom
120.4 km away · Explore climb →