Where to Climb with Kids in the Yorkshire Dales
Abseiling off the Cow rock on Ilkley Moor
Ever wondered where you can take the kids climbing in the Yorkshire Dales?
Because I have! As a parent of two rock scrambling enthusiasts and with no rock climbing background myself, it was a question that I asked myself quite frequently! But did you know there are actually loads of options for non-climbing parents to take their young climbing enthusiasts?
And there are even opportunities for you non-climbing adults to get to grips with the basics of rock climbing too!
Read on to find out the places to take kids climbing around the Yorkshire Dales!
Clip and Climb in Ilkley is a great place to introduce kids to auto belay climbing!
Clip and Climb, Ilkley
This is the place that my two started to grow their passion for climbing and it is a fantastic way to get kids active on a rainy day!
There are loads of Clip and Climbs across the country, but this is the only one on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park! Clip and Climb offers an introduction to climbing on an easy to use auto-belay system. This mean the kids can literally clip themselves onto the ropes without having to have somebody on the end of it.
The great thing is you can be assured of safety, because the system will not work unless the person is safely clipped on, so they can’t climb until they are. There are plenty of instructors on hand to help if you get stuck. The auto-arrest on the rope means that the climbers are gently lowered to the ground without any fear of falling.
And even better, then run tots sessions suitable for ages 2.5 to 6 and then regular sessions suitable from age 4- adults! Yes, you can climb too!
Want to give it a go? Then make sure you book ahead, this place is busy, particularly on a wet day (and there are plenty of those in Yorkshire!)
Indoor climbing at the Harrogate Climbing Centre
Indoor Climbing in and around the Yorkshire Dales
There are actually quite a few options around the outside of the National Park for indoor guided climbing, suitable for beginners upwards. So here they are!
South East Yorkshire Dales: Live for Today Climbing Centre, Harrogate
Live for Today Climbing run the Harrogate Walls, which is a super well equipped climbing centre. It has 7 auto belay walls, as well as a bouldering room which is suitable for beginners. There are also 160 top rope routes and 90 lead routes. They offer a family instructor led hour long session or beginners, or alternatively, should you have experience you can just go and use the wall!
Check out the Live for Today website for all the details you need to know.
South West Yorkshire Dales: Ingleton Wall
Ingleton Wall, is smaller but perfectly proportioned, with two bouldering rooms, 42 lead and top rope lines between 8 and 13m tall. Again, like with the Harrogate Climbing Centre, you can book instructor led family sessions.
For bookings, head to the Ingleton Wall website.
South West Yorkshire Dales: Kendal Wall
Ok, admittedly this is NOT the Yorkshire Dales, but it is within easy reach of anybody staying in the Westmorland Dales and it is one of the few places that have a ‘fun’ clip and climb style area where kids can go and challenge themselves.
Kendal Wall offers roped climbing and bouldering as well as their ‘crazy climb’ area, which is a clip and go style of climbing on vibrant challenge walls. You can also book family taster sessions with them.
For more information head to the Kendal Wall website.
Climbing at the Live for Today Climbing Centre in Harrogate.
North East Yorkshire Dales: Geronigo, Richmond
Beginners are also welcome at the climbing walls and abseil tower of Geronigo, near Richmond. The minimum age here is 10 though, so one for the older kids!
To book, head to the Geronigo Richmond website.
North West Yorkshire Dales: Penrith Leisure Centre
This is an unmanned wall, so there is no scope for beginners here, but the Eden Climbing Wall does have 120m squared of indoor climbing wall at 8m high. There are also two auto belays. Bring your own equipment if you do come. Check out the Eden Climbing Wall website for up to date opening times.
City Bloc
Yes. It’s in Leeds and I am REALLY stretching the geographical limit of being ‘in and around the Yorkshire Dales’ but it’s really good. So I’ve put it in. It’s no frills bouldering, anybody can have a crack and it’s fun. Plus it’s next to LS10 skate park, so if you have a skateboard fan too, this really is a great active day out.
For more information, check out the City Bloc website.
Climbing at the Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley
Instructor Led Outdoor Climbing
Would you rather head outdoors? I understand! We would too!
There are a few companies who offer guided outdoor climbing for families in the Yorkshire Dales. Check out My Expedition Rocks for private half or full day guided climbing sessions (suitable from age 5 upwards and up to 6 people) and Live for Today have school holiday outdoor climbing sessions running at the Cow and Calf, Almscliff Crag and Brimham Rocks.
The Yorkshire Dales Guides also offer a range of private guided climbing experiences suitable for beginners as well as Lost Earth Adventures who are based over in Nidderdale and in Settle.
Speaking of Nidderdale, How Stean Gorge offer instructor led outdoor climbing for ages 7 plus as well AS WELL AS their Via Ferrata course which is found right at the top of Nidderdale.
Abseiling off the How Stean Gorge Bridge during the Via Ferrata
Where’s best to just run wild and free on the rocks?
Sometimes, you just don’t want the faff, or perhaps you do have some experience in climbing yourself!
Brimham Rocks is a top spot for just general clambering and climbing on the weathered millstone grit is positively encouraged by the National Trust (as long as care is taken!) The Cow and Calf rocks in Ilkley are a popular bouldering spot, and Almscliff Crag is just a good old fashioned spot to clamber!
For experienced climbing parents, some popular spots include, Trollers Gill, Kilnsey Crag, Malham Cove and Trow Gill.
So go and climb to your heart’s content!