Paterberg

The Paterberg is a short, brutally steep cobbled climb in the municipality of Kluisbergen, in the Belgian province of East Flanders, close to the border with Wallonia. Rising to about 80 metres, it belongs to the many "bergs" of the Flemish Ardennes, the hilly stretch of countryside that has shaped the toughest cycling classics for decades.

How did the cobbles get there?

Until 1986, the slope of the Paterberg was nothing more than an unpaved dirt track. That changed when a local farmer had the road paved with cobblestones — not out of concern for infrastructure, but because he wanted the Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) to pass by his house. The decision had far-reaching consequences: the newly cobbled stretch quickly became one of the most recognisable sites in Belgian road cycling.

Why is this climb so demanding?

The Paterberg is only around 360 metres long, yet all of its drama unfolds within that short distance. The average gradient reaches about 13 percent, with the steepest pitches near the top exceeding 20 percent. Combined with an uneven cobbled surface, this makes it one of the most physically and technically demanding stretches on the entire classics calendar. Its brevity leaves no room for tactical patience — any mistake in gear choice or road positioning is punished immediately.

What role does it play in the Tour of Flanders?

The climb's significance was formally recognised in 1993, when the road was classified as a protected monument. Since 2012, as part of a restyling of the race route, the Paterberg has combined with the neighbouring Oude Kwaremont to form the central, decisive section of both the men's and women's editions of the Tour of Flanders. The pair of climbs is tackled multiple times over the course of the race, and their final combined ascent — shortly before the finish in Oudenaarde — typically decides the winner of one of cycling's Monuments. The Paterberg usually serves as the last word in that closing sequence, functioning as the final ramp before the run-in to the finish.

What should visitors know?

For those exploring the East Flanders countryside, the Paterberg is a popular destination for cycling trips — whether for fans retracing the routes of the great classics or for riders who want to experience firsthand just how demanding such a short stretch of road can be. The surrounding landscape, typical of the Flemish Ardennes, is quiet and agricultural, a striking contrast to the intensity of the racing that draws thousands of spectators along the roadside each year.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Paterberg? The climb is approximately 360 metres long.

What is the gradient of the Paterberg? It averages around 13 percent, with sections exceeding 20 percent near the top.

When was the road paved with cobblestones? In 1986, on the initiative of a local farmer.

Since when has the Paterberg been a protected monument? Since 1993.

What role does it play in the Tour of Flanders? Since 2012, together with the Oude Kwaremont, it has formed the decisive combination of climbs that closes out the race.