My favourite climb: 13 Aussie pro cyclists share their top picks

They might spend most of the year living, training and racing in Europe, but we wanted to find out the favourite climbs of Aussie pro cyclists when they are back home.

So, we asked some of Australia’s top stars to name their number-one climb Down Under.

See if your favourite made the cut.

Luke Plapp, INEOS Grenadiers

Favourite climb: Mt Buffalo, Victoria

While he lives in Andorra during the racing season, the national champion’s heart belongs to Victoria’s high country. And the one climb at the top of Plapp’s list is Mt Buffalo, a little over three hours’ drive from Melbourne.

Luke Plapp during the 2023 Road Nats. Photo: Con Chronis

“There’s a reason I’m an ambassador and believe that the Victorian high country is the best place in the world to train! I’m fortunate enough to live in the Pyrenees in Andorra and while a lot of people might say the mountains here are the best, nothing compares to the Victorian high country and Mount Buffalo for me.

“‘Buff’, as it’s known among the locals, is my favourite mountain in Australia and a climb that has so many memories from early days racing Australian hill climb championships to now living in the region and training on the climb every day in home in Australia!

“The picture-perfect views as well as a steady gradient the whole way up the 22km segment makes it so enjoyable to climb, but if you’re looking for that extra little challenge you can continue for another 10km up to ‘The Horn’ where you are met with a challenging gravel road climb that leads to breathtaking views of the whole region! I promise it’s worth it!”

Sarah Gigante, Movistar Team Women

Favourite climb: Mt Buffalo, Victoria

The former national road champion has chosen a climb where she cut her teeth as a young up-and-coming rider. It also holds a special place in her heart for tragic reasons.

“It’s a hard question but I’d have to say my favourite climb is Mt Buffalo in Victoria. The Alpe de Buffalo, which used to be the Junior National Hill Climb Championships, was one of the highlights of my year all through U15s and U17s and it’s where I won my first national title. Mt Buffalo is also just a very pleasant climb – it’s steady but not too steep, there are usually lots of other cyclists on it to wave to, and the view at the top is incredible.

“It’s become even more special to me now because I always think of my friend Angus Collins when I ride up it. The Horn was one of his favourite places.”

Jack Haig, Bahrain Victorious

Favourite climb: Mt Buffalo, Victoria

The climbs of Australia are hard to compare to some of the long, steep gradients he traversed on his way to third overall at the 2021 Vuelta a España. While it’s been a few years since he has been Down Under, Haig’s top pick is a popular favourite.

“It might not be my favourite climb, but it’s a climb I’ve enjoyed training on and I have a lot good memories with friends during training camps in Bright. Australia doesn’t have too many long alpine climbs, but Mt Buffalo is one of the best we have, I reckon.”

Brodie Chapman, Trek-Segafredo

Favourite climb: Mt Glorious Road "backside", Queensland

The national road champion has picked a climb from her backyard in the forests west of Brisbane. There are also plenty of mountain bike trails in the area, where Chapman honed her craft long before she turned professional.

Brodie Chapman cheered on by a young fan during the 2023 Road Nationals. Photo: Zac Williams

“My favourite climb has to be a home road – Mount Glorious Road “backside” from the turn-off at Dundas up to the cafe. I like it because there’s no hiding, it’s savagely steep, and there is a nice lookout part way up. You ride through farmland, bushland and rainforest all on the same road. Up for a challenge? Give this segment a go!"

Harry Sweeny, Lotto Dstny

Favourite climbs: Mt Glorious and Goat Track, Queensland

Like Chapman, this young Queenslander has singled out some climbs close to home as his favourite training roads.

“I think my favourite two climbs in Australia would be Mountain Glorious and Goat Track. They’re both beautiful climbs out of town and away in nature that I grew up riding.”

Jay Vine, UAE Team Emirates

Favourite climb: Black Mountain, Canberra, ACT

Before he turned pro, the climbing talent turned national time trial champion honed his skills on this iconic Canberra climb located on his doorstep.

“It was where I found myself doing a lot of my training in the early mornings before work doing my intervals. It's also the climb that is the most recognisable for the city having Telstra Tower on top right in the CBD.”

Rohan Dennis, Jumbo-Visma

Favourite climb: Greenhill Road, Adelaide, SA

His home town of Adelaide is renowned for its proximity to quality climbs, but for two-time time trial world champion Rohan Dennis, the best climb is Greenhill Road, just 10km from the CBD. Once at the top, you can choose your own adventure.

Rohan Dennis. Photo: Russ Ellis

“I’d have to say Greenhill Rd in Adelaide. It’s the longest climb we have and pretty close to the city. When you get to the top you have endless options of where to go and none of them are bad. Going down isn’t so bad either.”

Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Team Jayco–AlUla

Favourite climb: Greenhill Road, Adelaide

The talented young sprinter from Melbourne rates this Adelaide climb as the perfect climb for dialling in her climbing legs for the European racing season.

Ruby Roseman-Gannon. Photo: Russ Ellis

“While I wouldn’t love to race up it, my favourite climb would have to be Greenhill in Adelaide. It’s a nice, consistent gradient for about 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for most efforts. It’s a bit busy during normal hours but it has some beautiful views over Adelaide.”

Tiffany Cromwell, Canyon//SRAM Racing

Favourite climb: Greenhill Rd to the top of Mt Lofty, Adelaide

While these days she mixes her time between gravel and road across several continents, Tiffany Cromwell can’t go past this climb into nature when she is back home in her old stomping ground.

Tiffany Cromwell representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Getty

“It’s one of the iconic Adelaide Hills climbs and the longest one you can find in Adelaide. You get spectacular views across Adelaide on the lower parts of the climb, and then it transitions and you feel like you truly enter the hills. You can spot kangaroos and koalas along the way. Once you reach Mt Lofty lookout, you get an even better view all across Adelaide and can appreciate where you’ve just come from to get to the top.”

Ben O’Connor, AG2R Citroen Team

Favourite climb: Churchman Brook Road, Roleystone, WA

It might not have the same punch or length as the fearsome alpine brutes he’s conquered in Europe, but this local climb about 30km south-east of Perth is one O’Connor has a soft spot for.

“It’s 4-5km and 6% average but always inconsistent. It’s not the hardest climb, but I’ve always had a soft spot for it. It starts very green in a little gully, before halfway opening up into a pretty tree-filled estate. The last part rises past the Churchman Brook Dam as the blue glitters amongst the red dirt and Aussie forest."

Jai Hindley, Bora–Hansgrohe

Favourite climb: Falls Creek, Victoria

The Giro D’Italia winner has picked one of the climbs where he showed his Grand Tour potential: Falls Creek in north-east Victoria, where he secured the 2020 Herald Sun Tour on a mountain-top finish.

“For me, the climb up to Falls Creek is my favourite. I’ve done quite a bit of training in that area and I’ve raced up it a couple times, too. It’s an awesome climb, super enjoyable, stunning nature and a great view at the top.”

Nicole Frain, Parkhotel Valkenburg

Favourite climb: Mount Wellington, Tasmania

Visitors to Hobart might see Mt Wellington as just a stunning backdrop to the city, but for cyclists, including former national road champ Nicole Frain, it’s one of the best climbs in the country. It’s just over 17km, with 1,191 vertical metres and 6.7% average gradient.

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“I’m obviously a proud Tasmanian. I love the nature on this climb, yet it’s so close to everything. This climb can be so challenging if you want to make it so, yet also manageable to take it easy. Either way, the views from the top on a clear day make it worth the effort and a bit of a bucket-list item when cyclists visit Tasmania.”

Simon Clarke, Israel–Premier Tech

Favourite climbs: Bailey Road, Cockatoo and Mt Donna Buang, Warburton, Victoria

You don’t have to go far from the city to get some climbing in the legs. Just ask Simon Clarke: his favourite climbs are located just a short ride east of Melbourne. If they’re good enough for a Grand Tour stage winner, they’re certainly good enough for us.

“Bailey Rd, Cockatoo, is a short punchy climb, which I like for race simulation for one-day races. Mt Donna Buang is the only proper long climb (25km) accessible from Melbourne. Not only is this one of the most beautiful climbs in Australia, I also really like it to simulate the long climbs we race over in Europe.”