Introduction

This web site offers information on suitable venues to climb with children in England and Wales. Offering additional opportunities to those who enjoy the sport and wish to continue to climb whilst with the family and in addition to times when you might have arranged your children to stay with family or friends whilst you undertake more serious climbs.

Having enjoyed climbing for some years before our son was born we were keen to continue and over the past two years have sought after suitable places to take children and still enjoy the sport.

The most well trodden areas are those in the Peak District a) because that's where we live, and b) because there's a great concentration of short single pitch climbs which lend themselves to family days out.

The main inspiration was the families and picnics section of the 'On Peak Rock' BMC guide although I soon realised that there were many more crags that were similarly suitable.

As well as offering information one of the main reasons for producing this web site is to gain further information on suitable crags in the UK and in Europe.... saving all that footwork and disappointment when you arrive at the crag and find it unsuitable.

If you know of anywhere please go to add new crag, if you don't here's some that we have found.

* Some of the suggested crags may not have been visited by ourselves and therefore may not be as suitable as others... discretion will be required with all crags suggested.

Ireland

Irish Climbing Online: Kerry Crags

The Gap of Dunloe. View from on top of one of the crags.

Very undiscovered and unused. We climbed here last summer on a boiling hot day and we were the only climbers around! A beautiful place a little bit touristy at the bottom end- Kate Kernleys cottage with the jaunting cart rides trolling past. Apart from that pay a visit if you are touring the west of Ireland. Park at Kate Kernleys cottage walk up the valley the first Crag is set back from the road on the right. Walk further over the bridge, more crags up on the left and to the right further up the valley.

Gap of Dunloe views out over the Ring of Kerry.

 One of the crags.

France

Fontainbleau guide

Perfect playground for kids and adults. Sand and soft landings, easy to walk to, brilliant easy circuits suitable for almost anyone. *Suggested by anon.

Long limestone escarpments. Well bolted with lower offs. routes from 2 to 7+. Shaded bays when the sun comes out. *Suggested by anon.

Les ecoles d'escalade du Vecors guide

We came across this place whilst on holiday last year on our way to the Ecrin Alpes (there must be loads of suitable places around this area if you had time to look). A fantastic setting 10 minutes from the car the crag lies amongst woodland (nice and cool), great for children although due to its suitability you get a lot of training groups around. Dolomitic limestone bolted all the way to the lower off's.... over 100 routes ranging from French- 11 to 7b/7c+. The area on the whole is well worth a visit.

The Vecors Region

Rock climbing in Majorca, Ibiza & Tenerife guide