Rock Climbing UK

Henry Barber once said "Britain's rock climbs are little hidden gems. Nowhere in the world can there be so many varied and classic routes within such a small geographical area".

He was right! Follow the footsteps of Henry, Joe, Don and many more rock stars, by choosing your location and climbing to your own limits, at a grade to suit you. The UK is the place for real adventure climbing.

Whatever your standard, or if just starting out, Smiler has the knowledge, the skills and the enthusiasm, to make it happen for you!

Where? Just read on...

North Wales

Good weather, short access, full of variety, great classics or modern test pieces. Climb Joe Brown 's delectable and famous lines, or Don Whillan 's tough routes. For instance:
Climb on the great Gogarth seacliffs - improbable but fantastic and stunning lines (for instance - A Dream of White Horses - unbelievable above the surf and breakers) Don't forget the Llanberis Pass , the Slate Quarries, Tremadoc, Cloggy, Ogwen - too many great crags to mention.

We'll stay in Llanberis, where many great names started climbing, and where it seems the village was built for climbers. If you want to explore this wonderland of rock, a short car trip gets us to a different location each day.

Scotland

So many great locations, great routes, long and short, granite, sandstone, gabbro - you name it, Scotland has the best! Including the fabulous long routes on Skye, Ben Nevis, in Glencoe and in the less travelled but wonderful and remote North-West Highlands. We have the whole range to choose from.
A dram to end each great day - what more can you want?

Let's not forget:

The Lakes - great mountain rock days, delving into history (Napes Needle, considered by many to be the first ever rock climb in the UK , is here). Scafell, Gable, Pillar, the Borrowdale Crags, they're all great! Choose you destination and select the climbs to suit your skills.

The Gritstone Edges - some say "God's country!" Shorter yet incredibly varied crags to choose for a visit. The grit provides that superb texture you can't find anywhere else. Great lines from the masters of rock are everywhere. Seek them out!

The South West offers unrivalled days on glorious granite and limestone cliffs. Sun-baked rock - slabs to steep exciting faces, they are all here. Avon Gorge, Swanage, Baggy Point, Tintagel, the North Devon and Cornwall cliffs, Bosigran, Carn Kenijack, Sennen Cove and Chairladder to name but a few - there is a vast potential for climbing in the southwest. So follow the exploits of Littlejohn, Darbyshire, Cannings and others. Coronation Street, Demo Route , Finale Groove, Moonraker, Devil's Slide - the objectives are endless.

Beginner's Rock
Climbing Course

We can run beginner's rock courses anywhere in the UK but North Wales and Scotland are our preferred choice. You will learn all the necessary skills to tackle lower grade rock climbs from a highly experienced and qualified climber.

All our courses are based upon practical demonstration and client participation, making sure you learn where it really matters. You will spend a great deal of time climbing followed by informal chat to discuss any points that you feel are unclear.

You will leave the course with a firm foundation on which to base future climbing and with the confidence to tackle routes on your own.