Paterberg

The Paterberg is an iconic and feared climb in the Flemish Ardennes, in the municipality of Kluisbergen (more precisely in the village of Ruien). Thanks to its steepness, its narrow cobbled road and its crucial role in the spring and autumn classics, it belongs to the absolute cathedral of Flemish cycling history.

Characteristics of the climb

• Length: around 400 metres.
• Gradient: about 12.9% on average, with a maximum of no less than 20% on the steepest section.
• Surface: irregular cobbles that make riding it a challenge of strength and technique alike.
• Course: the climb starts fairly narrow between the meadows and runs dead straight uphill, so you see the top the whole way. That makes it mentally very hard.

History and heritage
Compared with other classic Flemish climbs (such as the Oude Kwaremont or the Koppenberg), the Paterberg is a youngster. The climb was only cobbled in 1986, on the initiative of cycling fanatic and course pioneer Herman De Croock, with the aim of including it in the Tour of Flanders straight away.

Since its debut in 1986 the Paterberg has remained a decider in "Vlaanderens Mooiste", the Tour of Flanders, every single year. For a long time it came right after the Bosberg, but in the modern course the combination of the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg forms the legendary and often decisive finale of the race. Anyone who goes into the red here sees their chances of winning evaporate on the spot.