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Guinness World Record Certified: Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand, Recognized as the Steepest Street at 19 Degrees Globally

Published: 2026-09-25 👁 100 views
Last updated 2026-09-25 — The steepest street in the world is right here — Baldwin Street in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. It’s widely regarded as the steepest street globally. Out of its 350-meter length, the steepest section has a gradient of approximately 1:2.86 (19 degrees or about 35%), meaning the road rises one meter for every 2.86 meters walked. This has earned it a spot in the Guinness World Records as the steepest street in the world.

▲ Baldwin Street in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand, is claimed to be the “steepest street” in the world. (Photo / Screenshot from Wikipedia)

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The steepest street in the world is right here —Baldwin Street in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand, is considered the steepest street in the world. Of its 350-meter total length, the steepest section has a gradient of around 1:2.86 (19 degrees or about 35%), which means the road rises one meter for every 2.86 meters you walk— hence its place in the Guinness World Records as the steepest street on the planet.

The street has been officially certified by the Guinness World Records, but according to a recent CNN report, there are differing opinions on where the steepest street in the world actually is. Aside from Baldwin Street, some sources claim that Canton Avenue in Pittsburgh, USA, holds the title. Putting the debate aside, how people live and hold events on the sloped Baldwin Street is perhaps the most fascinating part.

▲ % Urgent? The steep slope of Baldwin Street (left) compared with Canton Avenue (right) shows a stark difference. (Photo / Screenshot from CNN; Screenshot from Wikipedia)(Photo / Screenshot from CNN website; Screenshot from Wikipedia)

25,000 chocolate balls cascade down simultaneously every year

The report mentions that every July, the local area hosts the“Jaffa Chocolate Candy Race”(Cadbury Jaffa Race), where tens of thousands of chocolate candies are released down the 350-meter steep slope all at once. Each candy has a unique number, and visitors can also buy a number. If the number on your ticket matches the one on a candy, you could win a major prize. The candies collected can also be taken home and enjoyed.

% International... The chocolate race down the steep slope is quite the spectacle (Photo / Screenshot from CNN website)

It always feels a bit guilty when receiving mail

Postman Kevin Hanifin has been delivering mail on Baldwin Street for two years. He said, “Thanks to this road, I’ve managed to stay in shape, and there are no shortcuts here because every path is just as steep.” Hamish Lilly, a 17-year-old paperboy, added that going downhill is actually more tiring than going uphill.

Going home is exercise

Dave Kernahan, a 63-year-old resident, started a weight-loss plan after retiring. His strategy was simple: walk up and down Baldwin Street repeatedly. He walks up and down the street about 30 times a day, covering over 10 kilometers in total. His personal best is 105 trips in a single day.

▲ Running uphill along Baldwin Street. (Photo / Screenshot from CNN website)

Visitors from all over the world come here

Famous for its steepness, Baldwin Street has attracted tourists from around the globe. One local said that while he was working in his garden, he took a short break and discovered that he had appeared in a photo with over 100 tourists.

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