After years of climbing around the UK on multi-pitch and single pitch crags, I still think that Symonds Yat is a great place to bag your first lead or progress through the grades and enjoy some quality climbing in a great location.

For some of you reading this I know what your thinking about Symonds Yat – Symonds Crap more like€ – but hang on. Symonds Yat has some classic rock climbing routes with good friction, clean rock that just don’€™t get done and if you’re climbing in the E grades then you’re in for a treat.

So what’€™s the deal? Symonds Yat has easy access if you know how and some spots are even easier to abseil into. Some of the slopes that go down to the crag can be very slippy and having a few other methods of getting in is well worth knowing. It’s got easy belays as there are loads of trees meaning more time climbing, less time rigging. Good views of the Wye Valley, toilets, cafes, good pubs and camping all right there.

If you’re starting out, then it’s a great place to explore. Loads of trees at the top mean that you can rig abseils and top ropes easily and build that confidence. Classic starter routes such as Snoozin Suzie and Golden Fleece€™ are great at their grades and lesser known climbs such as €˜Root Route make a good choice for a first lead. The famous Long Stone Pinnacle is a must on a first trip to Symonds Yat and an ascent puts you in a place only rock climbers can reach. Descent is made by abseil so it is worth making sure that you are happy with the basics before committing to the summit.

Symonds Yat is a real adventure with much to explore and good for a weekend of fun. Climbing, caving, kayaking, Canoeing, abseiling and good pubs, what are you waiting for?

Routes to do:

• Root Route – D
• Snoozin Suzie – VD
• Vertigo – S
• Golden Fleece – S
• Whitt – VS 4c
• Flight – VS 4c
• Red Rose Speedway – HVS 5a
• The Trip – E1 5b
• The Penny Dropped – E2 5c
• The Ankh – E2 5c
• Free Radical – E2 5c
• Heart of Oak – E4 6a