Mount Diablo Climb Guide: South Gate to the Summit
Mount Diablo from the South Gate: about 10.5 to 11 miles at 5.7%, 3,200 ft of climbing and a 16% ramp to the summit.
In this post
Mount Diablo stands over the East Bay, and the road to its summit is one of the Bay Area’s big days out. The South Gate route starts just outside the park entrance in Diablo, east of Danville.
The numbers
- Start: just outside the South Gate entrance, in Diablo.
- Top: the summit, about 3,800 ft.
- Length: about 10.5 to 11 miles (17 to 18 km).
- Average gradient: about 5.7%.
- Steepest: the last short ramp to the summit, about 16%.
- Climbing: about 3,200 to 3,300 ft (about 1,000 m).
Climb figures differ a little from source to source, depending on where each one starts and stops the clock. Where they differ, we give a range or say “about”.
Why it’s famous
The Tour of California finished stages on the summit in 2013 and 2014. There’s also a longer route from the North Gate.
How to ride it
- Steady most of the way: it’s long and mostly steady, with a few steeper pitches.
- Save something: the final ramp to the summit is the steepest part of the climb.
- Bring water: it can be hot on the lower slopes.
The Strava segment
There’s a segment for this climb, and plenty of riders judge their day by where they land on it. Set an honest time on your first go, without blowing up, then come back and beat it. The King and Queen of the Mountain crowns are for the very fastest; for most of us the real target is a personal best.
What to wear up it
For an American flag jersey, there’s also The Patriot. Our Climbs jerseys are drawn from the mountains: the Mont Ventoux Mistral, Contour and TOUGH After the Climb. Each is made to order, with free personalization.
More in California: famous climbs in California. More climbs: famous Strava climbs.
Strava is a trademark of Strava, Inc. Corbah isn’t connected to Strava; this is our own guide.
