Steepest Streets in the World

These steep streets will give you a serious thrill or a real scare. Or both.

Steepest Streets in the World

All streets are not equal. Some have a steep grade of over 30 percent and have become destinations for thrill-seekers and the curious alike.

The steepest street in the world is up for debate, but these dangerous roads always make the cut. We hope you're not afraid of heights.

15. Filbert Street

Filbert Street and Grant Avenue in San Francisco

Location: San Francisco, California

Peak grade: 31.5 percent

Facts About Filbert Street

On Filbert Street at Telegraph Hill just below Coit Tower, this road becomes the Filbert Street Steps, which run through the Grace Marchant Garden.

Once known as the steepest street in San Francisco, there are a few other streets — or at least portions of them – that are steeper.

Nonetheless, Filbert Street has a bit of celebrity history. In 1996, "Late Night" host David Letterman rolled hundreds of balls and watermelons down it for fun and ratings.

14. 22nd Street

Location: San Francisco, California

Peak grade: 31.5 percent

Facts About 22nd Street

An apartment for rent on 22nd Street in San Francisco

Located in the Castro District, 22nd Street has an equivalent grade to Filbert Street at its steepest point, but it is longer with less traffic.

For these reasons, it is a favorite for Bay Area cyclists, skateboarders and other thrill-seekers.

13. Dornbush Street

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Peak grade: 32 percent

Facts About Dornbush Street

Dornbush is the second-steepest street in the Pittsburgh area and stretches over several blocks. Pedestrians won't have to suffer its grade, as there are cement stairs with handrails for their use.

Dornbush is not a two-way street. Motorists can only go downhill, but they should be prepared for the stop sign at its base.

12. Fargo Street

Location: Los Angeles, California

Peak grade: 32 percent

Facts About Fargo Street

This street in the Silver Lake neighborhood is one of a few in a small radius with a grade of over 30 percent. It was also the site of the annual Fargo Street Climb, an event put on by the Los Angeles Wheelmen since 1974.

In May 2018, the city of Los Angeles made Fargo a one-way street going downhill to make it safer for drivers, which meant the Wheelmen had to secure a permit, which they haven't been able to do, although they are still trying.

11. Baxter Street

Location: Los Angeles, California

Peak grade: 32 percent

Facts About Baxter Street

Getting stuck at the top of Baxter Street

Baxter Street in Echo Park was built in the 1890s, and in the early days of automobiles, manufacturers would test their mettle on this steep street.

Since then, elongated vehicles like buses and limos have found themselves stuck at the top. When it would rain, motorists who weren't skilled in driving the street would find their vehicles skidding backward.

Apps like Waze made things worse, and in 2018, Baxter also became a one-way street. While this decision has cut down on vehicle accidents, people still skateboard and bike the street for a thrill.

10. Maria Avenue

Location: Spring Valley, California

Peak grade: 32 percent

Facts About Maria Avenue

House for sale on Maria Ave. in Spring Valley, California

The San Diego area has its own steep street in Maria Avenue.

While the whole block is not a uniform 32 percent grade, it does have a steep staircase at the top, which makes for a lovely view.

9. Eldred Street

Location: Los Angeles, California

Peak grade: 33 percent

Facts About Eldred Street

Eldred Street in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles is the city's steepest drivable street. It was built in 1912, well before city officials mandated that no street could have a grade greater than 15 percent.

The street is so steep it even has it own smaller-than-usual garbage trucks, as the normal-sized trucks would tip over.

8. 28th Street

Location: San Pedro, California

Peak grade: 33 percent

Facts About 28th Street

San Pedro's 28th Street runs between Gaffey Street and Peck Avenue.

It would have been a contender for steepest Los Angeles street, but its grade only lasts about 50 feet. It's a short, sweet burst of height before leveling off.

7. Hardknott Pass

Location: Cumbria, England

Peak grade: 33 percent

Facts About Hardknott Pass

Hardknott Pass is one of the steepest roads in the United Kingdom and probably one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Cars, trucks and even cyclists struggle to get up it. And its descents are extremely quick.

While it is open all year-round, it does suffer unpredictable snowstorms and temporary closures due to ice.

6. Baldwin Street

Holding on for dear life on Baldwin Street

Location: Dunedin, New Zealand

Peak grade: 35 percent

Facts About Baldwin Street

When the city of Dunedin was first planned, it was done so by urban designers in the U.K., who created a grid system with no concern for area topography. Baldwin Street is the result of their planning.

It was a Guinness World Record holder as the steepest street for several years until it was upset by Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, Wales, in 2019. However, Baldwin has since reclaimed its title.

Other streets have higher grades, but this is considered the world's steepest due to how Guinness measures steepness.

5. Vale Street

Location: Bristol, England

Peak grade: 36.6 percent

Facts About Vale Street

This residential street in Bristol has such a drastic incline that cars park horizontally to prevent them rolling and residents have been known to tie their cars to lampposts in icy conditions.

Locals also use Vale Street for their annual Easter egg race. They go to the top of the hill with their eggs and roll them down to see whose egg gets the farthest.

4. Canton Avenue

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Peak grade: 37 percent

Facts About Canton Avenue

While Pittsburgh's Canton Avenue is just a tenth of a mile long, you will get a good workout here — there is a 37-foot gain in elevation every 100 feet.

The cobblestone-lined street plays a starring role in Pittsburgh’s annual Dirty Dozen bike race, which takes participants over the city's 13 steepest hills.

3. Ffordd Pen Llech

Location: Harlech, Wales

Peak grade: 37.45 percent

Facts About Ffordd Pen Llech

View of Ffordd Pen Llech from the town of Harlech, Wales

Harlech, a picturesque town in North Wales, is home to one of the steepest paved streets in the world.

The street is two-way for most of its length, but the steepest part (the lower portion) is one way going down to prevent vehicles from getting stuck or rolling backward.

2. Waipio Valley Road

Location: Big Island, Hawaii

Peak grade: 40+ percent

Facts About Waipio Valley Road

Driving Waipio Valley Road is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it's best only for people who are familiar with it or have 4x4 vehicles. Hikers and cyclists with strong legs are also welcome.

Visitors who wish to experience the road but who do not have a 4x4 can do so via a tour. Whatever you do, do not attempt this road in a normal vehicle. It's just steep enough to fry your brakes on the way down.

1. Bradford Street

Location: San Francisco, California

Peak grade: 41 percent

Facts About Bradford Street

Just above Tompkins Avenue, Bradford Street climbs steadily at a typical (for San Francisco) 24 percent grade, but that gives way to a 30-foot stretch with a 41 percent grade, which is enough to pull a car downhill, accelerating it from zero to sixty in mere seconds.

It may not be the easiest road to navigate by car or on foot, but residents say the views are well worth the risk.