03 Mar
Top 5 Places To Climb/Boulder in SWVA
1. Grayson Highlands
Bouldering has grades from V0-V12. Great for climbing in the summer when temps stay a little more mild due to high elevation. There are two dedicated trails for bouldering including the Listening Rock Trail as well as the the trail that starts at the Contact Section. There is a Bouldering Guide Book that is available to purchase that has a list of over 300 boulder problems in the area.
2. Hidden Valley
Good Route/Rope Climbing area that has grades from 5.8 to 5.13 on Sandstone Cliffs. Climbing is good here year round if sunny but like Grayson it’s higher elevation makes for good climbing all summer long. There is also a GuideBook for this area that has over 475 routes listed in its pages.
3. Breaks Interstate Park
Great Sandstone Route Climbing…it’s mainly single pitch sport climbs with several Trad routes as well. Pinnacle Rock Area being the best to visit if it’s your first time to the park. Most dense concentration of climbs for all ability levels on really good quality rock and short approaches. Breaks requires all climbers to stop and check in with the park and sign a waiver and they will in return give directions to climbing areas within the park. More info can be found on CACC website or mountain project. At this time there is no Guide book but it is in the works for Breaks.
Support the Breaks Climbing Development Fund
4. Labyrinth at High Knob
Great and very Dense sandstone Boulderfield that sits atop the High Knob Landform in Norton Va. These are tall boulders with several problems already established and has the potential for a lot more to be developed. The parking is very limited and somewhat hard to locate but the city and CACC are working together to get a mixed use parking lot put in for mountain bikers as well as climbers. At this time there is no bouldering guidebook for the area but is in the works.
5. Ben’s Branch
Great Moderate Crag for those looking to get a good workout in Appalachia Va. This was first opened with work from the city of Appalachia and CACC to make public for all climbers. These sandstone cliffs are steep and provide a fun environment for anyone looking to climb 5.8 and up. Really short approach but limited parking. More info on CACC website or mountain project. This area also doesn’t have a guidebook but is in works as well.
Credit to CACC/Jesse Cheers
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