Like living life on the edge? Well luckily you can right here in Manchester, but with a harness, of course. Challenge yourself to new heights (quite literally) as Manchester has plenty of indoor climbing and bouldering spots, whether you’re a rock climbing rookie or a seasoned climber. Strap yourself in and get ready to scale some walls as here are the best places for rock climbing and bouldering in and around Manchester.
1. Rock Over Climbing
Boasting three rock climbing spots in Greater Manchester (Cheetham Hill, Bolton and Wythenshawe), all Rock Over Climbing venues offer bouldering, beginner coaching and private coaching. Their Cheetham Hill venue is their biggest with over 300 boulder problems, 10 auto belays, a dedicated event space and competition training area. If you’re feeling a little nervous you needn’t worry as Rock Over Climbing’s supportive staff are always on hand to talk you through a climb. Rock Over Climbing, Park Garage, Cheviot St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M3 1LW | 21 Lostock Lane, Bolton, BL6 4BL | Shentonfield Rd, Sharston Industrial Area, Wythenshawe, M22 4RW.
2. Parthian Climbing
Located in an old church in West Gorton, Parthian Climbing is one of the most unique places for rock climbing in Manchester. The venue offers beginners courses where you’ll learn to set up your gear, tie into your harness, belay, and of course master your climbing technique. If you’re looking to take up bouldering and make friends at the same time, there’s a weekly social club you can get involved in and it’s a chance to get some tips to help you become a climbing pro. Plus for those keen to apply their skills to the great outdoors, Parthian Climbing also run outdoor climbing sessions including ones in the nearby Peak District. Parthian Climbing, St Benedict’s Church, Bennett St, West Gorton, M12 5ND.
3. BlocHaus Climbing
Not too far from Parthian Climbing on the east side of Manchester is rock climbing gym BlocHaus Climbing in Openshaw. The venue offers a range of courses for various ages and abilities which include climbing for beginners, improvers, children and families. BlocHaus Climbing runs bouldering league and a monthly series of ‘masterclass sessions’ where each session will focus on a different element of climbing technique or performance. The climbing venue also offers sports massages and a range of refreshments to enjoy post-climb. BlocHaus Climbing, Unit 1, 34 Wood St, Openshaw, M11 2FB.
4. Depot Climbing
Located near inflatable theme park Inflata Nation and the Trafford Centre, it means the fun never stops- jumping, shopping, climbing and bouldering. Describing themselves as ‘the UK’s biggest bouldering centre’, at Depot Climbing you can get to grips with both the climbing basics as well as advanced techniques that will have you soaring up the wall in no time. Depot Climbing also offer yoga classes to complement your climbing as the exercise helps to improve your mobility, develop flexibility and gain strength. Depot Climbing, N2, Central Park Estate, Central Park Trading Estate, N1, 14 Mosley Rd, Stretford, M17 1PG.
5. Summit Up Climbing
North-east of Manchester you’ll find a rock climbing gym that has quite the unique climbing wall as it features ValoClimb, the world’s first interactive game platform for climbing walls, featuring active play technology. Summit Up Climbing in Oldham also boasts one of the largest and highest Clip ‘n Climb’s (an action packed climbing activity) in the UK and 35 exciting challenges. The centre offers a huge variety of walls, angles and holds as well as all Olympic sport climbing disciplines: lead, boulder and speed climbing. In addition, Summit Up Climbing has a soft play area and on-site cafe to refuel afterwards. Summit Up Climbing, Egerton St, Oldham, OL1 3SE.
6. Awesome Walls
Awesome Walls in Lower Bredbury, Stockport has a huge amount of leading, top-roping and bouldering surface to keep even the most frequent user happy year-round. The centre offers a climbing surface that has been designed with all abilities in mind, meaning that everyone from a complete beginner to an experienced competition climber will find a fun challenge at a difficulty appropriate for them. Plus, one of the unique features of Awesome Walls in Stockport has to be their 23.5m Tall Walls, as it remains one of the highest artificial climbing wall structures in all of England. Awesome Walls, Lower Bredbury, Pearl Mill, Stockport Rd W, Lower Bredbury, Bredbury, Stockport, SK6 2BP.
7. Rock Up
Located at the renowned Chill Factore at Trafford City, Rock Up Manchester is one of the newest rock climbing centres in the area and offers a thrilling experience for all ages, and is perfect for a family-oriented adventure. The centre features a whopping 27 climbing walls and an exhilarating high ropes course, plus the use of auto-belays so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands. From the adrenaline-seekers scaling the heights of the climbing walls, to the little ones enjoying the soft play, there’s truly is something for everyone – plus it’s a great spot to host childrens’ birthday parties. Rock Up Manchester, Chill Factore, 7 Trafford Way, Trafford Park, Stretford, M41 7JA.
8. Substation
Technically not in Greater Manchester, but if you fancy a little adventure out of the city then grab your gear and head to Substation in Macclesfield. For expert climbers, Substation Macclesfield offers a 700sqm climbing wall, a competition circuit, new challenges every week, a free weights area and adjustable gymnastic rings. The rock climbing gym just 45 minutes from Manchester city centre has an expert team of both in-house and freelance route setters to help provide new challenges to keep the climbing interesting and fresh. Along with its bouldering experience, Substation has a yoga studio, in-house cafe perfect for grabbing a bite to eat, socialising with a friend or remote working. Substation, Queens Court, Queen’s Ave, Macclesfield, SK10 2BN.