Outdoor bouldering near Manchester
Manchester is well located when it comes to accessing a range of quality outdoor bouldering areas, but there is little that can be accessed in under a half hour drive. Here are some ideas to get you started, including some local venues and some others which are well worth travelling a little further for.
Five great local bouldering venues
1. Hobson Moor Quarry
UKC Logbook - Hobson Moor Quarry
Easy access, sheltered and quick drying quarried gritstone. Rather “urban” in feel. Good for traverses.
2. Craig y Longridge
If you like getting pumped this is the place for you! Mega traverses complemented by newer up problems on quarried grit. Bought by the BMC to preserve it as a quality bouldering venue – the access rules are for the benefit of the neighbouring houses, please respect them.
3. Wimberry Boulders
Some fine bouldering in a fantastic location with relatively straightforward access.
4. Brownstones Quarry
A good venue on sometimes polished quarried gritstone. Can be midgey in summer. More good bouldering nearby in the Wilton Quarries.
5. Blackstone Edge
Rough gritstone with fine moorland views. Lots of good rock but few standout lines.
Five bouldering venues worth travelling for
1. Stanage Plantation
UKC Logbook - Stanage Plantation
World famous venue. Campsite at North Lees, pad hire and train station in Hathersage provide plenty of options for those without a car, plus lots more bouldering nearby up on and below the edge itself.
2. Burbage South Boulders
UKC Logbook - Burbage South Valley Boulders
Perhaps the best venue for beginners with many low and easy options. Can be accessed by bus from Hathersage (pad hire at Alpkit) or Sheffield via the Fox House pub.
3. Robin Hood’s Stride
UKC Logbook - Robin Hood's Stride
Combined with nearby Top Boulders at Cratcliffe this makes a great venue in stunning countryside with a stone circle and hermits cave close by.
4. Curbar
A great circuit around Trackside boulder and plenty more to go at up on the edge itself.
5. Roaches Lower Tier boulders
UKC Logbook - Roaches Lower Tier
A popular beginner’s venue, Staffordshire’s finest has plenty more to offer on the Upper Tier and Skyline areas. Nearby the Newstones and Baldstones are also top quality.
So many more
This is just a snapshot, there are many more good venues to go at, such as Pex Hill in Liverpool (can be reached by bus from Manchester) or Wilton quarries in Bolton and many more.
Only a little further afield there is more world class bouldering to be found in Yorkshire and North Wales. Go and explore! Don’t forget to be safe and responsible when bouldering outside.