Adventure is calling you to the best rock climbing spots in Leeds!
Whenever someone says, ‘Rock climbing is only for the pros!’ we just chuckle. Whether you’re as surefooted as a mountain goat or someone with a toddler’s grip, you’ll have a cracking time scaling heights in Leeds.
Indoor rock climbing spots like City Bloc have our backs on this one. Even outdoor wonders like Brimham Rocks have sections ideal for all skill levels—no need to be a Spider-Man to have a go.
If you’re eager to start, we’re sharing the best local climbing spots and tips to help you avoid making rookie mistakes.
Indoor
City Bloc Indoor Climbing Wall
– From cityblocleeds
Address: 1 Kitson Rd
Contact Details: 0113 469 9034
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 7 am to 10 pm
- Tue – 10 am to 10 pm
- Wed – 7 am to 10 pm
- Thu to Fri – 10 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 8 pm
No stress about the kids at City Bloc. The Get to Grips sessions are brilliant for the basics, and the instructors are top-tier—always patient with our bairns.
In addition, the space is mint for half our gang who fancy a tougher challenge, especially with the competition wall. And when we’ve all run out of puff, there’s a café ready to fuel us up.
Tip: Feel free to bring your bike! There’s an indoor parking space here.
Clip ‘n Climb Leeds & Woodpeckers Diner
– From kellymunson_x
Address: Unit 3, Tristram Centre, Brown Ln W, Holbeck
Contact Details: 0113 245 8723
Operating Hours:
- Mon, Thu, and Fri – 12 pm to 6 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 4:30 pm
Clip ‘n Climb looks like it’s been nicked straight off a kids’ telly show, with 32 walls bursting with playful colours and themes. But don’t swipe past, adults; this spot is fun for grown-ups too, especially those looking for team-building challenges!
The beauty of it is there’s zero need to practice as if your life depends on it. They sort you out with a solid 30-minute safety, and the entire space is accident-proof.
Tip: Best give them a bell to snag a spot. Walk-ins are sweet, but it can get busy here.
Depot Climbing Armley
– From depotarmley
Address: Unit 1, Unit 1, Maybrook Industrial Park, Armley Rd, Armley
Contact Details: 0113 531 7485
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 6 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 9 pm
Without Depot Climbing, we’d still be parked on the sofa bingeing Netflix every weekend. Most of our crew picked up the ropes here, and we have their adult and junior classes to thank for that.
They also nail the social side, with loads of themed events that combine climbing tips with a bit of fun. A fave for the mums in our lot is the By Mums, For Mums Thursday session, which lets them climb with their kiddos.
Tip: Check out their prices here. Note that fees regularly change.
Last Sun Dance
– From lastsundance
Address: 21 Felnex Cl
Contact Details: 0113 240 7832
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 8 pm
What keeps us returning at the Last Sun Dance is that it’s never same-old, same-old; routes change every week. Moreover, the instructors are highly skilled and always give us a hand, sometimes in a literal sense.
As for walls, you’ll find various ones, as the grades go from V0 to V10. Honestly, though, this gym gave us some of our hardest challenges, and we have the frictionless walls to thank for that.
Tip: Sign up as a member to get perks like unlimited gym access and monthly guest passes.
Clip n’ Climb Garforth
– From clipnclimbgarforth
Address: Unit 2A1, Clip n Climb East Side Retail Park, Aberford Rd, Garforth
Contact Details: 0113 457 2699
Clip ‘n Climb making a second appearance here says it all; you don’t open 2 spots by being average. The big difference? This branch is a tad smaller than the Armley one, but it’s still buzzing with all the colour and cartoonish theme you’d hope for.
The fun and difficulty levels are similar as well. Climbing doesn’t require years of training, and there are even routes for adults who prefer a laid-back climb over hardcore sessions.
Tip: You can host all sorts of parties here. Suss out the packages to see what’s on offer!
The Climbing Lab
– From theclimbinglab
Address: Kirkstall Industrial Park, 12, 14 & 15
Contact Details: 0113 263 2742
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 6 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 9 pm
The Climbing Lab’s all-about-everyone approach had every single one of us feel right at home. The walls match that philosophy, as our newbies had a belting time on the simpler, shorter climbs.
Our seasoned climbers were chuffed too, with tougher routes featuring overhangs and top-out boulders. Extra props to the exciting courses; they covered the basics without feeling like a GCSE math class at 1 pm!
Tip: Flash your student ID for sweet deals and specials, including free shoe hire!
Big Depot Climbing Centre (Leeds)
– From bigdepotleeds
Address: 100a Gelderd Rd, Holbeck
Contact Details: 0113 318 3367
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 10 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 7:30 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 9 pm
What sets The Big Depot apart from Depot Climbing? Well, the name gives it away—it’s massive! Sixty boulders take up the airy space, with 200-plus rope and lead lines adding to the action.
On top of that, their route settings aren’t one-dimensional, each requiring a different strategy, flow, and move to overcome. And if you’re stuck on one, there are also 1-on-1 sessions for levelling your skills up.
Tip: Scope out their climbing gear. From bags to harnesses, they have a lot!
The Edge
– From theedgegymleeds
Address: University Of Leeds, University of Leeds, Willow Terrace Road, Willow Terrace Rd
Contact Details: 0113 343 5095
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Sat to Sun – 7:30 am to 9 pm
Not to hype it up too much, but The Edge is one of the most complete climbing spots around. The place has a bouldering wall, alongside 8-meter high top-roping and lead walls to keep things fresh and heart-pumping.
Climbing courses for all levels are on offer, but expect a price jump if you’re not a member (£66 for non-members and £42 for members). The good news is that both cost £8 for a 30-minute taster session, giving you a general feel of the facility and the sport.
Tip: Non-members can park here too. Just ensure you have a couple of quid ready for an hour (£2).
Depot Climbing Leeds (Pudsey)
– From depotpudsey
Address: 173 Richardshaw Ln, Stanningley, Pudsey
Contact Details: 0113 345 9295
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 9 pm
Just like the other Depot Climbing spots we’ve mentioned, the Pudsey location brings the goods with climbing, bouldering, and training walls on top of a cafe and social gatherings. However, this one is on the smaller side.
We popped by twice last month, and it wasn’t rammed like joints closer to downtown Leeds. Furthermore, the staff here are helpful and friendly, providing free water refills and solid tips whenever we hit a wall (figuratively and literally).
Tip: If you have no clue what bouldering is about, they have a vid that’s worth a watch.
ROKT CLIMBING GYM
– From roktclimbinggym
Address: Mill Royd St, Brighouse
ROKT isn’t your run-of-the-mill climbing joint. If you fancy taking on the UK’s tallest outdoor climbing wall, standing at a whopping 36 metres—this place is your playground.
On top of that, ROKT has 4 floors loaded with challenges for all types of guests. Whether you’re into bouncing through ball pits or scaling 16-metre silo walls of hexagons, you’ll have a riot here.
Tip: Take the virtual tour to get a proper feel of the venue before you lock it in.
Outdoor
Ilkley Moor Cow & Calf Rocks
– From yorkshire_brew
Address: Hangingstone Rd, Ilkley
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Yorkshire’s outdoors boasts scenic and heart-racing climbs, and Ilkley Moor’s Cow & Calf Rocks is up there with the best. The views from the top are pure class—rolling landscapes as far as the eye can see and a formation resembling a cow and calf.
The climbs here strike a great balance between fun and graft, though we believe practice is essential. Doris’s Route (3C) is a breeze for most, but The New Statesman (E8) is strictly for the pros.
Tip: Bring your dog along, as they’re totally welcome here!
Malham Cove
– From toby_climbing
Address: Malham, Skipton
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Malham Cove is pure magic—not just because it had its moment in Harry Potter but for its enchanting curved limestone cliffs and the peregrine falcons soaring about.
Britain’s first-ever 9b sports climb is right here! But unless you have Steve McClure-level skills, stick to the moderate routes like Straight Up (4c) or Clubfoot (4c).
Tip: The nearest spot to park is at Malham Village.
Almscliffe Crag
– From gwynethuttley
Address: Cran Ln
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
If you fancy tackling something like the charmingly titled Wall of Horrors (6a), Almscliffe Crag is the spot to hit. With over 500 routes, it’ll test your skill while treating you to Wharfe Valley panoramas.
The Low Man section is where most folks kick off, with climbs like Bungle Traverse (F3) and Jemima (F3) serving tricky to moderate challenges. If you complete them, you’ll be rewarded with a sunset view that’s definitely one for the books!
Tip: It can get slippery when it’s wet, so check the weather and plan.
Brimham Rocks
– From yourbritain
Address: Brimham Moor Road, Summerbridge
Contact Details: 01423 780688
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 9 pm
Brimham Rocks is made for trad climbing and bouldering. Rookies, especially kids, flock to Birch Tree Wall (4c) and Heather Wall (4a), which get especially packed during spring’s last days.
The scenery here is postcard-worthy too, with quirky rock formations like Castle Rock and the Druid’s Idol begging for a snap. You’ll also get stunning sights of pastures and meadows, plus a bit of mist if you scale or walk during a cold morning.
Tip: If you’re after fewer crowds, the sweet spots are between 9 am and 12 pm or after 6 pm.
Gordale Scar
– From keelemountaineering
Address: Malham, Skipton
Contact Details: 07510 834110
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Gordale Scale Leeds isn’t a walk in the park; rocky scrambling and heights start at 10 metres—but blimey, it’s worth it! You’ll be treated to waterfalls tumbling down mossy rocks and a limestone gorge with glacier-carved footpaths.
It’s even better for sport climbers, as they can tackle Supercool, an 8a+ climb often hailed as one of the UK’s finest sports routes.
Tip: Come full or bring your own snacks. As tempting as it is, BBQs aren’t allowed here.