Rock climbing and abseiling are two of the most popular pastimes that countless enthusiasts enjoy year-round. This adrenaline-packed sport requires skill, strength, endurance and nerves of steel. While this may cause some to shudder, others simply cannot wait to begin their next climb. Specialists such as the ones found on this website can attest to the excitement found, although their natural settings are replaced by the sheer facades of man-made buildings. Nonetheless, the rewards are plentiful; unforgettable vistas and the ability to partake in the beauty of nature from high above are only two of the reasons that so many are attracted by this adventure. In fact, the United Kingdom offers some spectacular regions of its own, and it is a good idea to take a look at a handful of the top locations.
The Peak District
This well-known location has more than ten thousand climbs currently recorded, and for good reason. There are two main types of rock here, and both vary in difficulty. Gritstone is the main feature of the northern area of the park. The nature of this stone allows it to possess many crags and footholds, thus it is ideal for novice climbers. The southern area and in particular White Peak is comprised mostly of limestone. This will prove more challenging, as there are less hand and footholds. This park presents unique opportunities for climbers of all skill levels and is a must-see for the abseiling enthusiast. More information can be found here.
The Lake District
This region actually contains the highest concentration of peaks and valleys in England. One of the key attractions here is that the Lakes of Cumbria add an extra measure of natural beauty and serenity while simultaneously allowing easy access to most of the best abseiling spots. As with the Peak District, the Lake District provides a variety of technical challenges that range from easy to difficult, as this website can help explain. Specific areas within this park such as Wasdale offer such iconic climbs as Pillar Rock and Scafell Crag that are both perfect for abseiling. In fact, one of the additional amenities that the Lake District offers are indoor climbing arenas should the weather prohibit outdoor activities.
Snowdonia
Located in northwestern Wales, Snowdonia is one of the most frequented climbing locations in all of the British Isles. What attracts so many climbers is the fact that this region is quite varied. Situated both on the coastline as well as inland, there are often times when it may be inclement in the mountainous areas and yet dry near the cliffs embracing the shore. Additionally, there are pre-bolted areas for abseiling and
sport climbing while locations such as the Ogwen Valley are perfectly suited for climbers that may wish to gain experience before attempting some of the more technically challenging areas as the Cenotaph Corner or the Llanberis Pass.
Glencoe
If we broaden our horizons a bit and journey over to Scotland, no abseiling trip wold be complete without experiencing these gorgeous valleys in the western Scottish highlands. This beauty is superseded only by the technical challenges that some areas offer. Although the rocks are mainly composed of porhpyry and thus provide a good deal of friction, Glencoe is said to be much trickier than it looks and even the most experienced climbers and abseiling aficionados find many locations quite challenging. A more detailed overview of this location can be found here.
These four locations are some of the most popular and respected regions in the United Kingdom for abseiling and climbing. Nonetheless, there are many other regions that are perfectly suited for climbers of all ages and skill levels. Offering unbeatable views and exciting climbs, it is no surprise that countless visitors frequent such areas throughout the United Kingdom year-round.