Experience some of the UK's best rock climbing with an experienced Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor taking care of the route planning, leading and technical systems.
A Guided Rock Climbing day is completely tailored around you. You might want to climb your first multipitch route, experience a mountain or sea-cliff climb, tackle a particular classic, climb at a new crag or simply enjoy a brilliant day of climbing without having to lead everything yourself.
Choose the routes, crag, grade or style of climbing you're interested in, or tell me about your experience and objectives and I'll suggest an itinerary.
You don't need to spend the day following a fixed course syllabus. If you simply want to climb, we'll climb. If you'd also like to develop your multipitch skills, movement, ropework or efficiency along the way, I'll build coaching and instruction naturally into the day.
Guided climbing is available at selected climbing areas across the UK, including Dartmoor and the South West, the Wye Valley, Eryri / North Wales, the Lake District, Scotland and selected sea-cliff venues.
From accessible valley crags to exposed mountain routes and classic sea cliffs, your day can be shaped around the type of climbing adventure you're looking for.
Instructor Tip:
" When back coiling the ropes at a belay stance, clip a carabiner, or even better, a quickdraw, to a piece of gear on the anchor. Clip the rope into this then start back coiling the ropes. This stops the rope rubbing over your rope loop and makes it easier to back coil. Remember that quickdraw you used? The lead climber is now already clipped to their first bit of gear before leaving the stance, protecting the belay incase they fall and avoiding falling below the belay "
*Click on the headings below to take you to the relevant guided climbing info*
GUIDED CLIMBING
£150pp*
1 Day
1:2
* Price indicated is for public course dates. For private/bespoke/1:1 bookings, prices are: 1:1 = £250 per day | 1:2 = £280 per day (£140pp per day)
Get in touch to enquire or click the BESPOKE BOOKING button above.
COURSE OVERVIEW:
A private guided climbing day gives you the freedom to experience the routes and climbing that interest you without needing to lead or manage every technical aspect yourself.
The day is built around your experience and ambitions.
You might want to climb your first multipitch route, experience climbing on a mountain crag or sea cliff, tackle routes at a new venue, climb harder than you normally would independently or simply spend a full day climbing classic routes with an experienced instructor.
I'll take care of route planning, leading and the technical systems required to manage the day, allowing you to concentrate on the climbing, the movement and the experience.
If you'd like to learn along the way, we can also develop skills such as multipitch ropework, belay management, removing and organising protection, movement, route finding and efficient climbing.
Alternatively, if your priority is simply to climb some brilliant routes, that's absolutely fine too.
WHO'S IT FOR?
Guided climbing can be adapted to a wide range of experience levels.
It's ideal for climbers who want to experience multipitch, mountain or sea-cliff climbing; climbers who have a particular route or crag in mind; people who want to climb at a higher level without leading the route themselves; existing climbers wanting more experience on unfamiliar terrain; or anyone who simply wants a memorable climbing day without having to organise all the technical details.
You don't necessarily need previous lead-climbing experience. Your day, route choice and objectives will be adapted to your existing ability.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Your guided day can be built around a particular route, crag, grade or climbing style.
Depending on the location and your experience, this might include classic single-pitch routes, multipitch climbing, mountain crags, sea cliffs, developing your movement and technique, gaining experience on different rock types or working towards a particular climbing objective.
If you already have a dream route in mind, let me know when you enquire. If not, tell me what you've climbed previously and what sort of day you're looking for and I'll recommend some options.
DIFFICULTY:
(7/10) CHALLENGING - HARD
A big day in the mountains with sustained climbing effort. Technical systems are managed by your guide, making it accessible to competent single-pitch climbers.
Similar difficulty to: Intro to Multipitch
Easier Than: Climbers Self Rescue - Advanced
Harder Than: Guided Mountaineering
Not sure what this means? See our Difficulty Guide → HERE
Compare other Rock Climbing Courses
COURSE CONTENT:
On this guided climbing course, you can let your instructor take all the stress and faff! However, I would hope you take away some new skills!
-
Learn skills: For example, How to attach to anchors, remove climbing gear without dropping it
-
Enjoy the route: Relax! Your instructor has the lead climbing under control. Belay safely and enjoy the moves and the exposure!
-
Gain experience: New type of climbing, rock type, difficulty and skills. Take it all on board and ask lots of questions!
-
Stay safe: Your instructor will keep you safe every step of the way.
-
Become more efficient: Learn how to save time at belays, rack gear better and maximise climbing time/routes climbed
-
Choose your route(s): Let me know what you want to climb (before we meet!). Specific routes, grades or crags
We can also cover some of the following skills:
-
Re-cap single pitch lead climbing skills
-
Choosing a route and understanding guidebooks
-
Accessing the base of a route
-
Movement and footwork on rock
-
Efficient climbing movement
-
Building different types of belays - using the rope and slings
-
Assessing insitu gear and natural anchors
-
Stance management
-
Efficient rope management
-
Communication on the crag
-
Belay change overs
-
Climbing with single and double ropes
-
Belaying a lead climber and bringing up a second
-
How to descend off a route (or to the base!)
-
Retreating off a route
-
Emergency procedures
WHAT TO EXPECT:
-
A full day on multipitch climbs, either inland, above the sea or in the mountains
-
Progressive learning in multipitch climbing techniques
-
A focus on managing exposure and moving efficiently and safely on multipitch climbs
-
Safe, friendly atmosphere with others passionate about climbing
-
A focus on your safety
-
Opportunities to build confidence on multipitch climbs under the watchful eye of an experienced Mountaineering Instructor
-
1:2 ratio to focus on your personalised instruction
WHERE CAN I GO GUIDED ROCK CLIMBING?
Guided climbing is available at a range of climbing areas around the UK. Each area offers a different style of climbing, so your location can be chosen around the type of experience, routes and level of adventure you're looking for.
Dartmoor & South West England
Dartmoor's granite crags offer everything from accessible single-pitch climbing to longer multipitch routes at venues such as the Dewerstone.
It's an excellent choice for climbers wanting a guided day on traditional routes, their first taste of multipitch climbing or a day developing confidence and experience on granite.
The wider South West also opens up opportunities for adventurous coastal and sea-cliff climbing.
Explore Rock Climbing on Dartmoor →
Wye Valley & Wintour's Leap
The Wye Valley offers extensive limestone climbing, including traditional routes, sport climbing and longer adventures.
A guided day can be built around your preferred grade and experience, whether you'd like to explore a new crag, climb classic routes or experience longer and more adventurous climbing.
Its location also makes it particularly convenient for climbers travelling from Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset and South Wales.
Explore Rock Climbing in the Wye Valley & Wintour's Leap →
Eryri / North Wales
Eryri is one of Britain's great traditional climbing destinations, offering everything from accessible valley crags to major mountain routes and sea cliffs.
A guided day might involve climbing classics at Tremadog, tackling a mountain route on Tryfan or in the Llanberis Pass, experiencing the sea cliffs of Gogarth or working towards a particular route or grade.
It's an outstanding choice if you're looking for a full mountain climbing experience or want to explore some of the most famous routes in British climbing.
Explore Rock Climbing Courses in Eryri / North Wales →
Lake District
The Lake District offers a huge range of traditional climbing across both valley and mountain crags.
Guided days can range from accessible multipitch routes to classic mountain climbs on crags such as Great Gable, depending on your experience and objectives.
It's particularly well suited to climbers looking for a bigger mountain day combining approach, climbing, exposure and adventure.
Explore Rock Climbing in the Lake District →
Scotland
Scotland provides opportunities for bigger and more remote climbing adventures, from roadside crags to mountain routes and classic objectives, such as the Old Man of Hoy, Old Man of Stoer, or Am Buachaille.
Guided days can include routes on the Cuillin Ridge on Skye, Ben Nevis, The Cairngorms, or other mountain routes.
Private guiding can be tailored around a particular route, climbing area or multi-day objective, with the programme adapted to conditions and your experience.
Sea Cliff Climbing
For something more adventurous, guided sea-cliff climbing can be arranged at selected venues in areas such as Cornwall, Pembroke and North Wales.
Sea cliffs add another dimension to the climbing day, with approaches, tides, route finding, exposure and sometimes abseil access all contributing to the experience.
If you have a particular sea-cliff route or destination in mind, get in touch and we can discuss an appropriate objective.
BESPOKE GUIDED CLIMBING
Don't see the location or route you're looking for?
Private guided climbing can be arranged at suitable climbing areas around the UK. Tell me where you'd like to climb, the routes or grades you're interested in and your previous experience, and I'll help build a day or multi-day itinerary around you.
WHERE WILL WE BE CLIMBING?
This course will take place at a variety of venues. Please take a look at the dates below as they will give you an insight into the type of climbing that course will be based on. For example, guided sea cliff climbing (Gogarth or Baggy Point), guided mountain routes (Idwal Slabs or Tryfan) or guided multipitch climbing in general (Tremadog or The Dewerstone).
If booking a bespoke guided climbing course, we can climb anywhere you like! Generally people want to climb specific routes like Commando (Bosigran) Ridge in Cornwall, Dream of White Horses on Gogarth or Napes Needle on Great Gable. You choose the route(s) or the crag, and I'll do the planning.
No events at the moment
Guided Rock Climbing Course Dates
£150pp*
FROM 1 Day
1:2
* Price indicated is for public course dates. For private/bespoke/1:1 bookings, prices are: 1:1 = £250 per day | 1:2 = £280 per day (£140pp per day)
Get in touch to enquire or click the BESPOKE BOOKING button above.
GUIDED CLASSIC ROCK ROUTES
COURSE OVERVIEW:
Climb some of Britain's most iconic traditional rock climbs from Ken Wilson's legendary Classic Rock collection.
These routes take you to some of the country's great climbing locations, from mountain crags and ridges to atmospheric sea cliffs, and include climbs that have inspired generations of British climbers.
Many involve far more than simply climbing the pitches. Approaches, route finding, mountain navigation, tides, descents and changing conditions can all form part of the adventure.
A guided Classic Rock day lets you concentrate on enjoying the route while I take care of the leading, route finding, technical systems and wider logistics.
You can choose a specific route from the Classic Rock list, work towards completing several classics over multiple days or simply tell me the type and grade of climbing you enjoy and I'll suggest suitable objectives.
Routes can be selected around your previous experience, climbing ability, location and ambitions, with options ranging from accessible classics to full mountain and sea-cliff adventures.
WHO'S IT FOR?
-
This Classic Rock guided climbing course is aimed at those who have lead climbing experience on single pitch crags
-
Climbers who have some multipitch climbing experience, whether that's leading or seconding, up to grade HS
-
Beginner climbers who want a big climbing day experience to learn some new skills
-
You may be on holiday and want an adventurous activity to fill a day!
-
Climbers who want to tick off the Classic Rock routes in the mountains and/or on sea cliffs and develop their multipitch skills
COURSE CONTENT:
On this guided Classic Rock climbing course, you can let your instructor take all the stress and faff! However, I would hope you take away some new skills!
-
Learn skills: For example, How to attach to anchors, remove climbing gear without dropping it
-
Enjoy the route: Relax! Your instructor has the lead climbing under control. Belay safely and enjoy the moves and the exposure!
-
Gain experience: New type of climbing, rock type, difficulty and skills. Take it all on board and ask lots of questions!
-
Stay safe: Your instructor will keep you safe every step of the way.
-
Become more efficient: Learn how to save time at belays, rack gear better and maximise climbing time/routes climbed
-
Choose your route(s): Let me know what you want to climb (before we meet!). Specific routes, grades or crags
We can also cover some of the following skills:
-
Re-cap single pitch lead climbing skills
-
Choosing a route and understanding guidebooks
-
Accessing the base of a route
-
Movement and footwork on rock
-
Efficient climbing movement
-
Building different types of belays - using the rope and slings
-
Assessing insitu gear and natural anchors
-
Stance management
-
Efficient rope management
-
Communication on the crag
-
Belay change overs
-
Climbing with single and double ropes
-
Belaying a lead climber and bringing up a second
-
How to descend off a route (or to the base!)
-
Retreating off a route
-
Emergency procedures
WHAT TO EXPECT:
-
A full day on Classic Rock routes, either inland, above the sea or in the mountains
-
Progressive learning in multipitch climbing techniques
-
A focus on managing exposure and moving efficiently and safely on multipitch climbs
-
Safe, friendly atmosphere with others passionate about climbing
-
A focus on your safety
-
Opportunities to build confidence on multipitch climbs under the watchful eye of an experienced Mountaineering Instructor
-
1:2 ratio to focus on your personalised instruction
WHERE WILL WE BE CLIMBING?
Check out the list of Classic Rock routes on UKC and the Needle Sports website below:
Take your pick and let's get climbing!
