Lake District
The birthplace of rock climbing is one of the best known locations for outdoor enthusiasts in Britain. Climbing in the Lake District is very popular due to its easy accessibility its wide variety of climbing within the region. With areas ranging from lofty mountain crags to some extreme big crag routes, the Lake District has something to offer the beginner and the experienced rock climber. Barrowdale has easy-access roadside climbs for all grades, while Langdale is more geared towards beginners. Raven Crag, in Ullswater, features more challenging climbs for experts. Meanwhile, Wasdale is where to find more iconic climbs like Pillar Rock and Scafell Crag. On wet days, there are a number of climbing walls in the Lake District to hit up, the most popular being Kendal Climbing Wall.
Fell & Rock Climbing Club
Oxenhome Rail Station
frcc.co.uk
VDiff – VS
Peak District
The Peak District is one of the most popular climbing locations in the UK. Most of the national park is held in Derbyshire, but some parts of the area branch out into neighboring Cheshire, Yorkshire and Staffordshire. The northern area, known as Dark Peak, is made up of gritstone, known for its unique friction, which makes for a great climbing experience. The southern part of the Peak District is known as White Peak and whose predominantly limestone crags are much steeper and tend to attract the more arduous crowd. Popular gritstone areas for traditional and sport climbers is Stanage Crag. Birchen, Froggatt and Burbage don’t see as many visitors, are still offer excellent climbs. Popular limestone areas can be found at High Tor, Beeston Tor and the towers of Dovedale. Ace Outdoors has introductory (1 day) and intermediate (2 day) courses as well as an indoor climbing course for anyone looking to learn the ropes (pun intended) in the Peak District.
Ace Outdoors
Unit 3, Elizabeth Court
Kemble Street, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 5SH | Chesterfield
ace-outdoors.co.uk
VDiff – E2
Glencoe, Scotland
Long been regarded as one of the UK’s best rock climbing areas, Glencoe has enough rock to last you a lifetime. Owned and cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, the area is surrounded with a deep history, beautiful scenery and some of the best rock climbing in the world. There is climbing to fit everyone’s ability from bold new routing to hard trad routes to easy multi-pitch classics. However, most climbs are trickier than they look. Buachaille Etive Mor has literally hundreds of climbs, many of which are absolute classics. The area is a popular destination for ice-climbing, so check out The Ice Factor, who offer ice-climbing and mountaineering courses all year long, as well as their very own indoor rock wall that combines rock and ice.
The Ice Factor
Kinlochleven, Lochaber PH50 4SF | Fort William
ice-factor.co.uk
Mod – E5
Snowdonia
Snowdonia has one of the most renowned rock climbing scenes in the world. You can find everything in this beautiful mountain range in the northwest of Wales. Packed around its two main valleys, you can find almost anything you need – mountains, crags, sea cliffs. Along with loads of traditional climbing routes, you can also find anything from sports climbing to long and adventurous mountain days. Lower grade climbers can go to Ogwen valley for the best base. The Llaniberis Pass has the best selection of routes for middle grade climbers, which includes the famous Cenotaph Corner. The less populated south of the park is much more secluded, if that’s what you’re looking for. Plas y Brenin offers a variety of courses based on experience and type of rock you are looking for.
Plas y Brenin National Mountain Sports Centre
Capel Curig, Conwy LL24 0ET | Llandudno Junction
pyb.co.uk
Dif – E9
Cairngorms
The area is as beautiful as it is exhausting. The Cairngorms feature some of the most challenging and rewarding climbs for even the most experienced climber. The national park is in one of the coldest and wildest areas in Scotland, which makes it a popular destination in the winter. But the magnificent views are worth the trouble. The stellar scenery and the different types of rocks and routes make it one of the most popular destinations for rock climbing in the UK. The Northern Corries are known for its challenging, but accessible climbs. Creag an Dubh Loch and Lochnagar in the southern Cairngorms, and The Shelterstone Crag in the northern Cairngorms bring the most visitors and are known for their impressive and clean climbs. Cairngorm Adventure Guides offer a range of courses from taster days to intimate guided tours.
Cairngorm Adventure Guides
Aviemore, Scotland, PH22 1SA | Aviemore
cairngormmountain.org
VDif – E7
