The 100 Climbs Cotswolds Challenge 2026

Ahh, the beautiful Cotswolds with its picture perfect buildings and manicured gardens… but underneath this veneer of perfection lie a whole host of killer hills.

Organised by Simon Warren of 100 Climbs fame, this year’s first challenge is packed with vicious little climbs set in a maze of twisting lanes which means there are a multitude of different ways to plot your course.

There are 12 climbs to ride if you want to bag them all, and like always on a 100 Climbs challenge YOU are in charge of your route so read on to find out more.

How does a 100 Climbs challenge work?

It’s simple.

1. I tell you which hills to ride.
2. You plot the route. That’s right, YOU plot the route. There are no arrows to follow, there’s no .gpx file to download, just a selection of climbs on a map to link in whatever way you wish – a bit like orienteering, but on a bike and with big hills.

To make it a challenge each climb is allocated an amount of points which are scored by scanning QR codes with your phone. There are a total of 75 points available and they are located at the TOP and BOTTOM of each climb from which you will need to score 40 to qualify as a finisher. This presents you the rider with the task of plotting the best course to outwit the other riders and get back in the shortest distance. (It’s not a race though, speed is of no consequence)

You should be able to put together a route at around 90km to bag the required points, however if you want a real challenge and want to RIDE THEM ALL, you will be looking at closer to 180km with close to 3000 metres of elevation. Although there are no prizes for speed there is a prize for shortest distance covered to reach 40 points, and the shortest distance for all 75 points.

How do you know you have scored the points?

The event uses an App called iOrienteering which you will NEED to download to your phone for FREE here for Apple and or here for Android.

(Registration only takes a couple of minutes, and this is best done prior to event day.)

When you arrive at the HQ, scan the Load Event QR code and this will load the climbs into the App, then when you are ready to start, scan the Start QR code and get going. Next, when you arrive at the BOTTOM of each climb you scan the first code, then at the TOP of each climb there will be another board with another QR code.

The combined points give you the total for that climb and are weighted according to how easy they are to reach. When you hit 40 points you can come home and scan the finish QR code or keep going until you have bagged them all.

Now the most important part, THE CLIMBS!


Below are the 12 counting climbs and their corresponding TOP and BOTTOM points and there are some absolute killers, one especially!

Points are allocated primarily on location rather than difficulty and you can get a rough idea where they all are on the map on the event website.

For more detailed info and to plot your route exactly click on the name of each climb will take you to its Strava page. The 100 Climbs APP is also an excellent tool to help plan!



• The Broadway: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 8 Points.
• Owlpen Hill: BOTTOM 3 Points.
 TOP 4 Points.
• Frocester Hill: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 3 Points.
• The W: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 2 Points.
• Bear Hill: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 3 Points.
• Oakridge Lynch: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 6 Points.
• Knapp Lane: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 7 Points.
• Haresfield Beacon: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 4 Points.
• Birdlip Hill: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 1 Point.
• Aggs Hill: BOTTOM 2 Points.
 TOP 5 Points.
• Bushcombe Lane: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 9 Points.
• Salter’s Lane: BOTTOM 1 Point.
 TOP 5 Points.