Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck is a very popular area for climbing with many different climbs from Hard to E7 along the cliffs, many are often busy in the summer months and are often used buy school groups.
The best way to find the easiest route to any of the climbs in the area is to buy a ordinance survey map, OS Outdoor Leisure 15, which you can obtain from most good outdoor shops.
Gear is required for 90% of climbs at Swanage although a few bolted routes are available.
Below are some of the more popular area to climb:
Subluminal:
This has to be the most popular crag on the South Coast. Park at Durlston (OS SZ031773) and head down towards the lighthouse, and the crag is down the grass slope just to the West.
Dancing Ledge:
Walk south from Tom’s field at Langton (OS SY997785) on a sign-posted path to Dancing Ledge which is a large quarry with filled in caves. Most climbs are on the back wall of the quarry and are fully bolted with lower off points.
Below are links to some climbing related sites, many have very good sections on the climbs in Swanage
[w] www.ukcrags.com - Rock climbing from around the UK
[w] www.ukclimbing.com - Everything that you need to know about climbing in the UK
[w] www.thebmc.co.uk The British Mountaineering Council
If you have climbed in the area and would like to add your favourite routes or pictures to this page please contact us.
Jurassic Outdoor is Purbeck's Outdoor specialist, stocking a wide range of outdoor footwear and clothing as well as camping equipment and other outdoor essentials.
A basic range of climbing equipment is kept in stock, including Beal rope, harnesses and helmets, as well as a range of slings, carabiners and descenders by Petzl and a La Sportiva Rock shoe. Also chalk, tape, bags and the local Rockfax and Swanage guide.