Map Of Climbing Locations In The UK
About Rock Climbing In The UK
Rock climbing in the UK is an excellent way to connect yourself with nature and bring some much-needed adventure to your life. While you might not find Yosemite’s breathtaking multi-day crags (cliff faces) in the UK, you can still find plenty of adventure.
For those of you who don’t know, rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding activity that will test your body and mind to the limits.
Climbing involves testing your endurance, strength, agility, balance, and, more importantly, your problem-solving abilities. A climber will have to use knowledge, technique, and specially designed climbing equipment to make it up the crag.
One thing you should be aware of is the four styles of climbing, so here are the very basic definitions:
- Trad Climbing: It’s the process of using a rope and specialised equipment to navigate the cliff face safely.
- Sport Climbing: Climbing your rope into pre-existing anchor points to keep you safe while you’re climbing.
- Bouldering: Bouldering involves climbing short but technical routes without using a rope; instead, you use a bouldering mat to keep yourself safe.
- Free-solo: Free-soloing is the process of climbing a cliff face with no safety equipment at all.
Who is climbing suited to?
Climbing is a sport for people who have a head for heights or want to challenge and get over their fear.
One of the best things about climbing is that people of all ages can participate in the sport, as long as you have an excellent range of movement.
Even people with missing limbs and deteriorating eyesight have been known to take on climbing.
Where can I go rock climbing in the UK?
And with climbing being so popular in the UK, it’s not hard to find some of the best rock climbing sports in the UK. The UK is home to some of the best climbing gyms in the world, so you don’t even have to go outside.
But if you’re looking for some popular outdoor locations…
… Are all excellent places to check out. And that’s only three of the thousands of locations available at your fingertips in the UK.
When is the best time to go rock climbing in the UK?
Of course, when it comes to climbing, there’s no better time to get out there than the summer, which runs from the end of May to September. That being said, it is the UK, so you might still get some rain.
What gear do I need for rock climbing?
One of the downsides to getting started climbing is you’ll need a lot of gear to get started. Unless you’re going inside, you can hire all the equipment you need there.
But, if you’re planning to go outside, you’ll need a harness, rope, climbing shoes, nuts, hexes, cams and much more.
And if you’re getting started, this can make things pretty expensive, especially if you don’t know if it’s a sport you want to continue with.
How to get started rock climbing?
For this reason, if you’re new to the sport, get yourself to a climbing gym or book yourself onto some courses. They’ll give you everything you need to get started on your climbing journey and some valuable tips.
Check out some of our guides for the best climbing areas the UK has to offer
FAQs About Climbing In The UK
Where In The UK Can You Do Rock Climbing?
There are places to rock climb right across the UK on rocky outcrops, cliffs, gorges and on mountains. These are our top 8 places to do climbing in the UK:
Is Climbing Popular In The UK?
Climbing is popular in the UK with an estimated 1 million people having climbed and 100,000 doing so regularly (at least twice per month). Of the 100,000 regular climbers in the UK, 25,000 climb outdoors whilst 75,000 climb exclusively at indoor climbing walls.
Is There Sport Climbing In The UK?
There is lots of sports climbing in the UK which can be seen in the 397 topo routes that are documented on https://www.sportclimbs.uk/.
Portland is one of the best places to sport climb in the UK where most of the routes head up the cliff faces by the sea.
What Climbing Grade Is Used In The UK?
There are two main types of grading systems used in climbing in the UK.
- The first is Sport Climbing grades which range from 1-9 with the addition of intermediate grades denoted by a-c applied to the numbers. Examples include: 2a, 5b, 7a etc. Most recreational climbers will hover somewhere around 4a-6c depending on experience.
- The second type of climbing grade in the UK is British Trad Grade. This is slightly more complicated as it uses a mixture of words and numbers+letters. In order of difficulty these are:
- Moderate, Difficult, Very Difficult, Hard Very Difficult, Severe, Hard Severe, Very Severe, Hard Very Severe, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11
Where Is The Best Sport Climbing In The UK?
Cheddar Gorge is one of the best places to sport climb in the UK. There is a huge range of climbing grades that will suit climbers of all abilities and parking right by the routes taking the effort out of the approach. There are lots of mid range climbs that will keep most climbers happy which are generally single pitch, however there are options for multiple pitch if desired.
How Do I Start Climbing UK?
The best way to start climbing in the UK is to go with someone who already knows how to climb – a climbing buddy. If you’re not lucky enough to be in this situation then you can look for a local climbing wall that will often offer lessons and may also have a club. It’s a friendly sport and even if there isn’t a club then if you go along to the climbing wall and start climbing it won’t take long before you get to know other regulars.
If you want to climb outdoors then it’s best to look for a course until you have all of the equipment and know what you’re doing.
What Is The Hardest Climb In The UK?
The hardest climb in the UK is called Rainman. It’s grade is 9b and it’s found at Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales. At such a high grade it hasn’t been climbed by many people!
Where Can You Free Climb In The UK?
If you want to you can free climb anywhere in the UK but you need to be fully appreciative of the risks. Places like Harrisons Rocks offer good options for free climbing as the sand stone give good grip and there is a range of accessibly graded climbs.