Peak District Rock Climbing: Crags for Every Weather

The weather doesn't always work in our favour, and a day's climbing can easily be spoiled by too much rain, wind or even (occasionally!) sun. Here are a few venues to keep you climbing when conditions are less than perfect. The list is far from complete, as almost any crag can work if you think carefully about wind direction, the chance of rain and ease of access, but it gives you a few places to consider.

Aldery Cliff

A Peak District limestone quarry with no easy access to the top and some awkward belays doesn't sound tempting, but Aldery has a few important things going for it. It's owned by the BMC, so you can park in the quarry itself, almost within touching distance of the rock: handy on days of questionable weather. It's very well sheltered from the wind (from almost any direction) and in the shade from around midday, making it a good afternoon choice on hot, sunny days. Being limestone it isn't the best choice in the rain, but it dries very quickly with no seepage problems. Anyone climbing in the HS to HVS range can expect an enjoyable day here.

Burbage North

Burbage North works well on a changeable day. Its open, southerly aspect means it generally dries quickly after rain (a few buttresses suffer from seepage, but these are obvious), and it has a wide range of easier climbs that are perfectly possible in less than perfect conditions. The parking is close, so you can often sit out the worst of the weather in the car and grab a quick climb between showers. On cold, windy days it can feel pretty wild up here, so think about one of the more sheltered crags instead.

Lawrencefield

A real favourite when the wind is blowing and the temperature is low, Lawrencefield is a sheltered suntrap that can feel warm even in midwinter if you pick the right day. Being sheltered, some walls can be slow to dry, and it has one of the longer approaches of the crags here (if you walk slowly it could take almost 10 minutes!), so it's maybe not the top pick for a rainy day. Nearby Yarncliffe Quarry is even more sheltered and quicker to reach, but has fewer routes and can be busy on wet days.

Windgather

Windgather has a good selection of easier routes that, unlike many gritstone crags, have proper holds rather than relying heavily on friction. The friendly climbing and the fact that it's about as close to roadside as the Peak District gets make it a very good wet-weather option. It also works well in warmer months, when its open, westerly aspect means even a light wind helps keep you cool. There's no shade after midday, though, so avoid it on clear, sunny days. A final warning: the name is one of the most appropriate of any crag we know. If a strong westerly is blowing, go somewhere else!

Indoors

When the rain isn't stopping all day and the wind is howling, one of the best options is to go inside. There are plenty of excellent walls to choose from, including the bouldering wall at our own Adventure Hub in Bamford, right in the Hope Valley.