The Bicycle Alliance of Washington tweeted a link today to a city webpage listing the steepest streets in the city. No, you’re not a wuss. Cherry Street really is that steep.

This is invaluable information if you’re trying to plan bike routes, of course. And if you ride any of these streets, go ahead and give yourself a big pat on the back. You earned it!

Note: This list is from the 1960s, so some of the streets no longer exist and some street names say “Ave N” instead of “Ave E.” But you get the idea: It’s freaking steep! As you can see from the comments below, the list is not exhaustive of the steep streets. It’s Seattle. We have tons of them.

From SDOT:

Central Business District

Street Name Intersections Slope Madison Street 3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue 19% James Street 4th Avenue to 5th Avenue 18.3% Cherry Street 4th Avenue to 5th Avenue 17.1% Seneca Street 3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue 15.3% University Street 3rd Avenue to 4th Avenue 10.2% Spring Street 4th Avenue to 5th Avenue 10.0% 6th Avenue University Street to Union Street 8.0% 4th Avenue James Street to Cherry Street 4.7% 4th Avenue Union Street to University Street 3.9% 6th Avenue Pike Street to Pine Street 2.2%

Steepest Paved Streets

Street Name Intersections Slope East Roy Street 25th Avenue North to 26th Avenue North 26.04% East Boston Street Harvard Avenue to Broadway Avenue 23.8% East Highland Drive 24th Avenue North to 25th Avenue North 23.6% Mercer Street Melrose Avenue to Eastlake Avenue 22.6% East Boston Street Boylston Avenue to Harvard Avenue 22.5% Mercer Street 24th Avenue North to 25th Avenue North 22.4% East Prospect Street 24th Avenue North to 25th Avenue North 22.3% Helen Street 24th Avenue North to 25th Avenue North 22.0% Helen Street 25th Avenue North to 26th Avenue North 21.7% Ward Street 25th Avenue North to 26th Avenue North 21.5% Queen Anne Avenue Prospect Street to Highland (Counter Balance) 18.5%

(There are many blocks in town with 18% to 21% grades.)

Steepest Graded Street

Street Name Intersections Slope Northwest 60th Street 2nd Ave Northwest to 3rd Ave Northwest 28%



Other Representative Streets

Street Name Intersections Slope Airport Way South Hanford Street to South Holgate Street 2.0% Aurora Avenue North Prospect Street to Galer Street 2.0% Beacon Avenue South South Hanford Street to South Stevens Street 0.7% California Avenue Southwest Southwest Graham Street to Fauntleroy Way Southwest 1.6% South Grahm Street Wilson Avenue South to Chatham Drive South 21.5% Highland Park Way Southwest West Marginal Way Southwest to Southwest Webster Street 11.1% Rainier Avenue South South Jackson Street to South Dearborn Street 5.1% Rainier Avenue South South cClellan Street to South Winthrop Street 0.3% Thorndyke Avenue West West Plymouth Street to West McGraw Street 5.0% 15th Avenue Northeast Northeast 125th Street to Northeast 127th Street 2.1% 15th Avenue Northeast Northeast 143rd Street Street to Northeast 145th Street Street 3.9% 35th Avenue Southwest Southwest Barton Street to Southwest Henderson Street 5.0% Northeast 45th Street 45th Avenue Northeast to 46th Avenue Northeast 12.0% North 85th Street Aurora Avenue North to Linden Avenue North 8.0% Holgate Street Overpass — 13.4% Admiral Way Southwest Harbor Avenue Southwest to Southwest Spokane Street 7.0%

Based on survey data, 1969

Note: There are maps in the Records Vault showing the rate of grade of all improved streets in the city. The Vault is located on the 47th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 Fifth Avenue, (206) 684-5132.