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Grant Mountain Climbs

       
  • Grant is a small town located on Gunters Mountain in Marshall County, Southeast of Huntsville Alabama
  • There are 11 climbs up to Grant, most about a mile long, with rolling hills on top
  • The climbs are numbered here, clockwise from Simpson Point Rd (Grassy Mountain)
  • Generally low traffic on the mountain, but Cathedral Caverns Hwy has some high-speed traffic (climbs #4 and #10)
  • Climbs 6, 7, and 8 start from SR-79, a road along Lake Guntersville that has a some heavy truck traffic
  • Climbs 10 and 11 start from US-431, a busy 4-lane highway
Grant Map Large Map

         # Location Description Rise Distance Grade
        1 Simpson Point Rd
(Marshall CR-466 / Grassy Mountain)
West of Grant 		A steady climb with no switchbacks, some traffic, and excellent pavement. Popular for SCCC club rides as it's the nearest (Grant climb) to south Huntsville. It starts off relatively easy but builds to 14% at the halfway point, then lets up back to 9% before finishing at 12% near the top. Great descent. 500'
(620' to 1120')		 0.95 miles 10.0%
         2 Butler Mill Rd
(Marshall CR-466)
West of Grant 		A fairly steady climb with no steep switchbacks and low traffic, there's a short flat section around 0.7 miles. Great pavement on and near the climb but the road leading up to it is rough. Beautiful tree-covered climb, good descent. 480'
(640' to 1120')		 1 mile 9.1%
         3 Fish Trap Rd
(Old Center)
Northwest of Grant 		An up-and-down climb with rough pavement and some dogs, very low traffic. Steepest near the beginning and end. At the top turn right onto the last part of climb #4, Cathedral Caverns Hwy.
  1. Only 5% average grade the first mile, but the first 0.4 miles is 12% grade
  2. 1.5% average grade the second mile, up-and-down with a couple of short 14% hills
  3. 6.5% average grade the last 0.8 miles, with a steep 23% grade the last 0.1 mile
610'
(600' to 1210')		 2.80 miles 4.1%
         4 Cathedral Caverns Hwy
(Marshall CR-5)
North of Grant 		A steady climb with some high-speed traffic. Overlook at the top, across from the DAR school. Strong gusty winds usually hurt the descent but it's straight and smooth. 480'
(720' to 1200')		 0.90 miles 9.9%
         5 Babe Wright Rd
(Off CathedralCavernsRd)
Northeast of Grant 		Steady climb with a short flat section at 0.6 miles, then kicks back up for the last 0.2 miles. With no traffic and great pavement, one of the best climbs and descents, though the descent is hurt by some gravel in the turns. A half mile after this climb there's a 0.2 mile 6% hill up to 1320'. (Note that Babe Wright splits off Cathedral Caverns Rd at the start, not Cathedral Caverns Hwy.) 480'
(715' to 1240')		 1.0 miles 9.9%
         6 Swearengin Rd
(Jackson CR-77 / Marshall CR-34)
Northeast of Grant 		Several steep sections, deceptively difficult toward the top. Good pavement, moderate traffic. SR-79 is 4-lane at the base so traffic isn't too bad as long as you head East toward Scottsboro. 560'
(680' to 1240')		 1.1 miles 9.6%
         7 Baker Mountain Rd
(Marshall CR-613)
East of Grant 		Two steep switchbacks, both about 300' long, with 23% and 21% grades. Good pavement and light traffic, with beautiful views of Lake Guntersville. No warning signs for the switchbacks on the descent. SR-79 is 2-lane at the base, with heavy truck traffic and rolling hills along Lake Guntersville. 530'
(620' to 1150')		 0.95 miles 10.5%
         8 Columbus City Rd
(Marshall CR-593)
South of Grant 		Probably the easiest climb up to Grant, with a brief 10% section at 0.7 miles. Good pavement and light to moderate traffic. Begins near the small town of Columbus City, on the water. SR-79 is 2-lane at the base, with heavy traffic and rolling hills along Lake Guntersville. 460'
(700' to 1160')		 1.15 miles 7.6%
         9 Word Mountain Rd
(Parallels Cathedral Caverns Hwy)
South of Grant 		Very gradual start, steepest at the top, with low traffic, gentle curves, and average pavement. Parallels the next climb, Cathedral Caverns Hwy (Marshall CR-5). 440'
(700' to 1140')		 1.2 miles 6.9%
         10 Cathedral Caverns Hwy
(Marshall CR-5)
South of Grant 		While the topo map shows a 35% grade near the top, the road cuts into the mountain for a pretty tame climb, nothing more than 12%. Rolling start, two downhill sections in first half mile. High-speed traffic, gentle turns, nice descent. This climb starts from Hwy-431, a busy 4-lane highway, but there's a nice 3-mile (dead-end) road along the water, to the west near the base. 440'
(700' to 1140')		 1.6 miles 5.0%
         11 Cottonville Rd
(Marshall CR-19)
Southwest of Grant 		Two short 14% switchbacks in first 0.4 miles. False flat for 0.5 mile after climb "ends." Good pavement, low traffic, beautiful tree-covered climb with some spectacular views of Lake Guntersville in winter. A well landscaped natural rock bridge is located in the first switchback and the homeowners welcome visitors. 340'
(660' to 1000')		 0.85 miles 7.6%
         # Location Description Rise Distance Grade