What you need to know before climbing Caesar's Head
Distance: The actual climb from Hwy 11 is 7.83miles.Elevation gain: Start at 1078 feet and finish at 3228 feet (total gain = 2084 feet).
Grade: According to my Garmin, the average grade is ~5%. There is nothing crazy steep on the climb but there are two or three segments (right after a switchback) where the grade switches to over 8%. Around 5 miles into the climb, there is a short section that is "flat" - which provides a nice change and a great place to actively recover. It doesn't last long as within a few minutes, you are back climbing again.
Road condition: The road condition is ok but not great. There are several bumps and cracks. There are a few smoother sections that have been recently repaved, but it's more bumpy than smooth. While it's fine for climbing, there are some rough patches in the switchbacks - which requires excellent bike handling skills when descending on a switchback.
Scenery: The climb and descend is beautiful. Depending on the season and weather conditions, you'll be able to see different aspects of nature. You are tucked within the trees for most of the climb but as you get closer to the top, you can peak through the trees and see the rolling hills.
Recommended bike/gearing: Road bike or tri bike. We have taken many of our private and group endurance campers up (and down) Caesar's Head - they were all on tri bikes. While it's more fun on a road bike (especially the descend), the climb is very doable for a tri bike (but you will be in the base bars for nearly all of the climb). You'll want your climbing gears; Semi-compact crank. 52-34 chainset and11-30 (or 28) cassette.
Descend: The descend has a few tight switch backs and you can pick up a lot of speed with the longer stretches. The first few miles are a bit more technical, whereas the last few miles are more sweeping. This is one of those descends to know in advance as you'll gain confidence after doing it a few times.
Climb with a view? The view at the top is worth it - on a clear day. Caesar's Head is a well-known scenic point in our area. There's a viewing deck at the top with a beautiful view of Table Rock lake and the mountains. Be careful walking to the viewing deck as the walkway can get slippery with your cleats on (wood) and there is a boulder to walk down at the actually viewing deck.
Traffic: Depending on when you go, the road can get very busy with cars (ex. weekend, late morning). Since Dupont Forest is on the other side of Caesar's Head (popular for MTB and hiking), it can get rather busy with cars, as well as motorcycles, on the weekend and late morning during the week. There are some tighter sections that will require cars to wait until they pass you but there is also room for passing in the turns - with an extra lane for the tighter switchbacks.
Difficulty: I'd rank this as a moderately difficult climb - especially because it is a long climb. You can expect to be climbing for well over 45 minutes. You certainly need good endurance and fitness but if you have great fitness/endurance, you can ride this fairly comfortably and not feel gased at the top. For many, just getting to the top is a huge accomplishment. For most of our campers, they find it challenging but we've never had anyone struggle and not get to the top. There is another option to get to the top. You can climb the backside of Caesar's Head, starting from the North Carolina side. This "climb" is very gentle (~4 miles) and the road condition is much more smooth and no steep sections.
Honest feedback: This is one of our favorite climbs to "show off" when we have visitors (campers or friends in town). It's one of those climbs to check off your bucket list when you are wanting to climb in Greenville. There's even a natural watering hole to fill up your bottle around 2 miles to the top.
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What you need to know before climbing to Pretty Place
Distance: The actual climb from 276 (the descend after Caesar's Head) is 5.09 miles.Elevation gain: Start at 2068 feet and finish at 3030 feet (total gain = 962 feet).
Grade: I'd call this flat with some rolling hills. There is one steeper section that feels extra steep because everything else is fairly flat or rolling. It's a very controlled climb where you don't really feel like you are climbing.
Road condition: The road condition is good. It's a very open country road with lots of land around you. A few bumps but overall smooth.
Scenery: Picture-taking worthy! It's called pretty place for a reason. It's actually an open-air sanctuary/chapel overlooking the rolling hills of Greenville.
Recommended bike/gearing: Road bike or tri bike. I combined this climb with Caesar's Head as you may as well see Pretty Place since you've already made your way to the top of Caesar's Head. Since you'll be doing this in the middle of a ride (there's no quick or easy way to get here without some climbing), you'll likely have your climbing gears on your bike: Semi-compact crank. 52-34 chainset and11-30 (or 28) cassette.
Descend: It actually feels like you are descending more than you are climbing on the way to Pretty Place and climbing more than descending after you leave Pretty Place. The road is a tight (yet peaceful) two-lane road so depending on traffic, you may need to be extra attentive.
Climb with a view? The view at the top is worth it. It's a well-known scenic point in our area. Make sure to check the website in advance as the chapel is often closed for events.
Traffic: Since it's a one-way in and out type of road (two-lane road), it may get busy. Cars are mostly patient but there isn't a lot of room for cars to pass if there is traffic in the opposite direction.
Difficulty: I'd rank this as an easy climb. However, your legs may be tired after climbing Caesar's head.
Honest feedback: This is another climb to check off your bucket list when you are wanting to climb around Greenville. If you can't bike to Pretty Place (or Caesar's Head), I suggest to drive to these scenic points to enjoy the view.
Tri bike
Riding time: 5:31
Total Miles: 92.9
Total elevation: ~7900 feet
Run off the bike: 52 min/6.25 miles/~1025 feet
Swim before bike: 3100 meters
