Climbing
With fascinating geology, the North Pennines offers good opportunities for climbing. You will find quiet spots with challenging climbs. There are access agreements in place for some crags.
Climbing in the AONB is mainly on three rock types: gritstone; limestone; and dolerite. Best known of the gritstone crags is Goldsborough in Baldersdale. Limestone is represented best at some of the more southerly locations such as Brough Scar and Windmore End, whilst dolerite can be enjoyed at Holwick Scar, near Middleton-in-Teesdale. There are indoor climbing walls at Barnard Castle Leisure Centre and Wolsingham Sports Hall.
Climbing is a permitted activity on Open Access Land. Visit the Natural England website for details of temporary closures. See the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) site and follow links to the Regional Access Database for up-to-date crag access information. The BMC also has volunteer Access Representatives covering the Eden Valley, Durham and Northumberland. Access arrangements for Holwick Scar have become a nationally important model for the reconciliation of access to ecologically important sites. It is really important that the published guidelines are followed correctly. Visit the BMC site for up to date details. Rock climbing courses in the AONB are also available from some licensed providers
Alston Training and Adventure Centre
BECKs Training at Deneholme
![Deneholme © BECKs Training Deneholme © BECKs Training](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_11.jpg?itok=TprT7rYP)
Brough Scar
![Laybacking on Eden Valley limestone © Ron Kenyon Laybacking on Eden Valley limestone © Ron Kenyon](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp141.jpg?itok=0o5Mak9Z)
Canoes, Mountains and Caves
![Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Canoes, Mountains and Caves Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Canoes, Mountains and Caves](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_5.jpg?itok=1X31TLWn)
Cumrew crag
![Paula climbing Croglin Vampire at Cumrew crag © Ron Kenyon Paula climbing Croglin Vampire at Cumrew crag © Ron Kenyon](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp138.jpg?itok=4ngcFqVj)
Eden Outdoor Adventures
![Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp136_0.jpg?itok=W-LRsp8o)
Gelt Boulder
![View of he Eden Valley from Cumrew © Ron Kenyon View of he Eden Valley from Cumrew © Ron Kenyon](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp137.jpg?itok=zcok1obD)
Kingsway Adventure Centre
![High Ropes Course © Kingsway Adventure Centre High Ropes Course © Kingsway Adventure Centre](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp113.jpg?itok=9f5WXIpu)
Murton Scar
![Eric on Meal ticket at Murton Scar © Ron Kenyon Eric on Meal ticket at Murton Scar © Ron Kenyon](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp139.jpg?itok=1Ci0v3Ps)
Pinpoint Adventure
![Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Pinpoint Adventure Mine exploration in the North Pennines © Pinpoint Adventure](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_6.jpg?itok=G953dKS8)
Weardale Adventure Centre
![Climbing with the Weardale Adventure Centre team © Weardale Adventure Centre Climbing with the Weardale Adventure Centre team © Weardale Adventure Centre](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_9.jpg?itok=T67DhAFx)
White Mines-Rusty Wall
![Eden Valley from Murton Scar © Ron Kenyon Eden Valley from Murton Scar © Ron Kenyon](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp140.jpg?itok=W9qjZfYp)
Windmore end
![Michael on Samoon at Windmore crag © Ron Kenyon Michael on Samoon at Windmore crag © Ron Kenyon](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp142.jpg?itok=RjpKGDn4)