NORTON HILL

OGMORE, BRIDGEND

This is the most southerly climb in this book, situated in the most southerly county in Wales. Norton Hill is no giant, but it’s the only proper hill for miles around. As you travel west on the B4524, hugging the side of the River Ogmore, you’ll see this small road peel away to the left, up and out of sight. It seems pretty harmless at first glance and it is for all of 100m, but then it begins to bite. As you line up to face the small wood the gradient increases and ahead you can plainly see it gets significantly harder. Following a slight kink, the now very narrow road hits 15%, trapped between high banks either side. Up into the trees and bending further left it is seriously steep, but once around the corner the slope thankfully relaxes. Continuing to ease and now bending right, you pass the Norton Village sign and the entrance to Norton Hall Farm. Roll into the centre of the tiny village to reach the summit.