The core of the Dales is a high limestone plateau cut by a series of steep-sided valleys that drain southwards towards industrial Yorkshire. The whole landscape is criss-crossed with hundreds of miles of drystone walling and dotted with many timeless hamlets and villages. Scattered throughout the area are some impressive chunks of limestone; pre-eminent amongst these are Yorkshire’s “big three” - namely Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Kilnsey Crag. Scattered around this mighty trio lie many other memorable venues that, if located elsewhere, would manage to steal the limelight themselves.
Routes
272 trad routes (VD...E8)
459 sport routes (3...9a+)
1 boulder problem (V5)
50 of the Best Routes 
Graded List of Routes
List of First Ascents
| Crag (click for details) | No. of Routes | Grade Range | Route Type | Sunshine or shade |
Approach walk | Other | Page | ||||
| Trollers Gill A fine crag situated in a sheltered little valley north of Appletreewick. The... |
14 |
| Trad and Sport |
Morning sun |
Uphill 15 mins |
- | |||||
| Loup Scar A small buttress which overhangs the River Wharfe to the north of Burnsall. The... |
13 |
| Trad and Sport |
Sun to mid-afternoon |
Level 10 mins |
Dry in the Rain |
- | ||||
| Dib Scar A secluded bowl near Conistone which gives well-sheltered climbing. The routes... |
20 |
| Trad and Sport |
Sun and shade |
Uphill 15 mins |
Dry in the Rain |
- | ||||
| Kilnsey A magnificent steep crag with many superb routes. Much of the climbing is in... |
106 |
| Trad and Sport |
Morning sun |
Uphill 1 min |
Seepage Dry in the Rain |
262 | ||||
| Blue Scar A fine shady crag with one magnificent wall which contains some of the best... |
52 |
| Trad and Sport |
No sun |
Uphill 10 mins |
Seepage Windy |
272 | ||||
| Yew Cogar The access to this crag has changed slightly recently. Please phone Mr. Campb |
24 |
| Trad and Sport |
Afternoon sun |
Downhill 10 mins |
Seepage Restricted Access |
280 | ||||
| Malham Surely this is the finest limestone crag in the country. A huge sweeping... |
150 |
| Sport |
Lots of sun! |
Level 10 mins |
Seepage Dry in the Rain |
287 | ||||
| Gordale The third of the Yorkshire 'big three'. This narrow defile has many faces whic |
79 |
| Trad and Sport |
Evening sun |
Level 10 mins |
Seepage Dry in the Rain |
304 | ||||
| Attermire Scar Typical of main of the smaller Yorkshire crags Attermire consists of a short... |
43 |
| Trad |
Sun from mid-morning |
Uphill 15 mins |
Windy |
316 | ||||
| Langcliffe Skyline A small buttress developed with a few sport routes. |
14 |
| Trad and Sport |
Lots of sun! |
Up and Down 10 mins |
Windy |
- | ||||
| Giggleswick South A fine outcrop spilt into two bands of rock. An upper band with several... |
73 |
| Trad and Sport |
Sun and shade |
Uphill 5 mins |
Seepage |
320 | ||||
| Giggleswick North A small crag with one impressive steep upside-down bowl packed with desperate... |
31 |
| Trad and Sport |
Lots of sun! |
Uphill 2 mins |
Seepage |
327 | ||||
| Robin Proctor's Scar Robin Proctor Scar, or as it was formerly known - Norber Scar, has been... |
25 |
| Sport |
Lots of sun! |
Uphill 15 mins |
Windy |
332 | ||||
| Pot Scar No description |
10 |
| Trad |
Lots of sun! |
Uphill 15 mins |
Windy |
43 | ||||
| Crummackdale A fine buttress perched high above Austwick. Although there is much very... |
13 |
| Trad |
Afternoon sun |
Uphill 15 mins |
Windy |
44 | ||||
| Trow Gill This secluded groge has two dark walls with several atmospheric sport routes... |
65 |
| Sport |
Sun and shade |
Uphill 30 mins |
Seepage |
336 |
