The climb · United Kingdom
About ZigZag Hill
The bends give ZigZag Hill its shape. East of Shaftesbury, the B3081 folds through woodland as it climbs into Cranborne Chase, repeatedly changing direction before stretching out onto higher ground. The stored approach is about 2.2 kilometres long and averages 5%, an approachable overall figure that conceals a sharper opening and the interruptions imposed by the corners.
There is pleasure in the way the road reveals itself a bend at a time. The enclosed lower section puts the next turn close at hand, while the straighter upper road allows the effort to become less broken. Near the end, the profile softens considerably, so the finish feels different from the initial climb. Those changes make this more than a steady rise between two points: the road's engineering supplies much of the interest. A modest ascent, made memorable by its line through the hillside.
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
9.8%
Where to find it
1.10–1.60 km from start
- Net height gained
- 49 m
- Section length
- 500 m
03 / The numbers
Climb statistics
- Distance
- 2.21 km
- Elevation gain
- 111 m
- Average gradient
- 5.0%
- Climb category
- 4
- Start elevation
- 152 m
- Summit elevation
- 263 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
9 min
- Power throughout
- 225 W
- Average speed
- 15.6 km/h
Based on the 2.21 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
ZigZag Hill
England, United Kingdom
- Route length
- 2.21 km
- Total ascent
- 111 m
- Average gradient
- 5.0%
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
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Brill Hill
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