Climbing in the AONB is mainly on three rock types: gritstone; limestone and dolerite. Best known of the gritstone crags is Goldsborough in Baldersdale – an excellent bouldering site which has over 200 climbs from f2 to f8B.

The better Limestone is at the more southerly locations such as Brough Scar and Windmore End, whilst dolerite can be enjoyed at Holwick Scar, near Middleton-in-Teesdale.

Guides

There are a number of guides that will help you make the most of climbing in the North Pennines:

For sites in the eastern part of the AONB: Climbing in North East England, Crowe, Bennett and Turner (with the Cleveland Mountaineering Club), Smartboys Publishing (2003). Coverage includes Crag Hill, Goldsborough Carr, Lamb’s Hill Quarry, Pallet Crag and Sunnybrow.

Climbonline is an excellent resource. Follow links to “North East Action” and then “East Pennines” for details of developed gritstone bouldering such as Crag Hill, Hudeshope, Middle Hare Crag, Milstone Rigg and Wheel Crag, and for access details and routes at the ecologically important Holwick Scar. Guides for both Holwick Scar and Hudeshope are available as PDF downloads. Goldsborough and Lamb’s Hill Quarry are also covered. There is also information on ice climbing opportunities in hard winters.

For venues in the western part of the AONB, the FRCC Guide Eden Valley and South Lakes Limestone covers the Eden Valley. Climbonline also has details of crags such as Brough Scar, Murton Scar and Windmore End.

Climbing access information

Climbing is a permitted activity on Access Land. Visit Natural England for details of any temporary closures.

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) provides useful access information through the Regional Access Database, available as an App, with up-to-date crag access information and weather forecasts. The BMC website also has useful general information on climbing and hill walking.

Access arrangements for Holwick Scar have become a nationally important model for the management of access on ecologically important sites. It is really important that the guidelines are followed. Visit the BMC website for up to date details.