| If you know climbing,
then you’ll know that Sheffield and the surrounding
area offers some of the best climbing locations in the
UK. If you didn’t know that, then you’re not
alone and the following should put you on the right track.
From nervous beginners to sure-footed experts, Sheffield
and the nearby Peak District has indoor climbing facilities
and great outdoor climbing sites for you to get stuck
into. In fact these climbing sites are so good that they
have attracted many of the UK’s best climbers to the area.
Sheffield itself has two climbing centres, both of
which are top class facilities that are worth checking
out no matter what your ability.
The Edge Climbing Centre [map],
off Bramall Lane close to the Sheffield United football
ground, is one of the most technically advanced climbing
centres in the UK. Beginners will find introductory
courses available that cater for a wide range of age
groups from children to adults, and in just three sessions
you could have all the basic techniques to tackle the
various climbs on offer on your own. Meanwhile experts
can practice on the most difficult of the 150 marked routes
or compete against some of the best climbers in Europe
in one of the competitions held at the venue every winter.
If you need something to really get that adrenaline pumping
then bouldering is also available at The Edge.
Bouldering is climbing without a rope and is considered
to be one of the purest forms of climbing. The aim is
to get around the object rather than climb to the top,
as you should go no higher than you are willing to fall!
The Edge Bouldering Room is one of the best in the country
with facilities available all year round.
Sheffield’s other climbing centre is The Foundry [map],
the UK’s first dedicated indoor climbing centre.
Located just 20 minutes walk from the bus station, here
you will also find around 150 routes that cover a range
of difficulties that go right through to the extremes. National climbing competitions are also held here
on the Troll Wall, and there’s also The Wave, one
of the country’s top bouldering walls.
Beginners can get tuition at The Foundry in groups or
individually and you can also hire equipment, get involved
in climbing activities and enter local bouldering league competitions.
When the weather is fine, or if you’re brave enough
to tackle the local elements, then you can enjoy the local
outdoor climbing adventures available across the Peak
District. It is just five miles from Sheffield city
centre and has a wide variety of climbing locations with Stanage [map] proving to be the most
popular.
Stanage, located just 10 miles west of Sheffield, can
be enjoyed by beginners and experts alike and this
is why climbers flock there every fair weather weekend.
There are more than 800 routes of traditional gritstone
climbing here as well as some bouldering routes so
it’s ideal for day-trippers and climbing holidaymakers.
Other popular options include Froggatt Edge [map] for the more experienced climber and Higgar Torr.
|
