Northumbrian Climbing Guide

 
 
Intro Access Accommodation New Routes Map Archaeology Winter NMC homepage
 

Heckley What the symbols
& colours mean
Grid Ref: NU188164   Aspect: E   Routes: 7   Max Length: 14   Average Length: 4Warning Total ban 
Altitude: 0 mtrs   Walk in: 5 mins   Bouldering quality: ** 
 
3
Click here for StreetMap    
From the Alnwick bypass on the A1, turn off at the B1340 (Signposted Alnwick/Seahouses), and at the T-junction turn left then immediately take the road on the right. Follow this for 1km to a roundabout, turn right and follow the B6341 up the hill to a large lay-by on the left. The crag is in a small wood behind a rocky knoll which can be seen across the fields on the other side of the road. Go north for a few metres to a gate, go through the gate in the field on the right then follow the fence on the left downhill to a gate. Go through the gate and continue to follow the other side of the fence until a gate on the right leads to the crag in the wood. There is no right of way, and there have been access problems in the past, so follow this route exactly and SHUT THE GATES.
 
General:
This crag is an old, overhanging quarry situated in a sheltered position in a wood. Because of this situation and the fact that the crag overhangs and faces the opposite way to other bouldering crags in the north of the county, it is often dry when elsewhere things are too wet. Since the upsurge in bouldering this crag has become more popular. The routes are rarely done these days and the topouts are getting overgrown. The landings, however are quite good, if a little swampy in wet weather.
Rock:  
Fell Sandstone Carboniferous, Dinantian
Tops are dirty
Access issues:
Informal access arrangements have been suspended by the landowner. Climbers have been requested not to visit until further notice - BMC are working on this
Routes/Bouldering:  
Routes:
The topouts are overgrown, it's advisable to dangle slings from trees to avoid the vegetation.
Problems:
Excellent problems with some pumpy traverses and a few up and downers.
History: