Gritstone within the city at Burbage

It might come as a surprise to know that The Burbage Valley is technically part of the city of Sheffield (this is one of the many reasons we call ourselves The Outdoor City!). Accessible by bus from Sheffield city centre, you can head to Lower Burbage (Fox House pub is the stop you'll need) and walk in along multiple paths through the old quarries. Alternatively, bike or car to Upper Burbage (which is the transition point into Stanage) and follow the river down the valley.  

Burbage offers a diverse range of gritstone climbing – from friendly routes to boulder problems, powerful challenging climbs to classic routes in the VD (very difficult) and E1 (extreme one) grades.

The two main areas for routes are Burbage South (lower) and Burbage North (upper), with boulder problems at Burbage South, North and West, and further climbing to be found at Higger Tor.

Burbage South is home to some well-known gritstone test-pieces – such as Equilibrium (E10 7a) and Parthian Shot (re-graded from E9 6c to E10 6c in the new Eastern Grit guidebook) – and climbing here has featured on film, in Hard Grit and Hard XS, as well as a short from BMC TV. There's a spread of routes at Burbage South in the lower grades too, though, meaning that there should be something for everybody here.

Burbage North is friendlier in that it faces south west and has a reputation for lower-grade routes with good descents. Add in the far-reaching views across the valley towards Chatsworth House, and you’ll start to understand why it’s a justifiably popular venue.

The proximity to parking makes Burbage North a good evening destination, and although it can become too warm in summer, it has quick drying rock and is great on a sunny winter’s day. Many of the climbs near the car park are micro routes. Walk a little further along the crag, though, and you’ll come to some good-quality longer routes – check out Ash Tree Wall, The Sentinel, The Grazer and Knight’s Move for some starred climbing.

For boulderers: Burbage South offers friendly landings on problems covering the lower grades, while Burbage North has some superb micro routes and problems across a spread of grades. Burbage West, on the other hand, is touted as the hard climber’s crag of choice – with one of the best concentrations of higher-grade boulder problems in the Peak (home to the classic West Side Story, 7b+).

If you have any non-climbers in your party, a walk along the well-established path underneath the crags is enjoyable, with a defined path back along the top making for an alternative return route.

With stunning views, the Burbage Valley really is a great spot – whether you're looking for hard climbing, easy and friendly routes, bouldering or soloing.