Climbs 65
Rocktype Rhyolite
Altitude 250m a.s.l
Faces W
Summer bouldering © C coldwell-storry
Crag features
Bird Ban from 15th Feb - 31st May
No climbing on any of the Boulders, Crag or Ghyll when the bird ban is in place.
The boulders that lay at the bottom of Swarthbeck Gill/Ravens Crag Ullswater, provide a number of short problems above generally good landings. There are a good range of problems and provide a few peaceful hours bouldering with a superb outlook over Ullswater.
One to two mats are adequate though there are several highball problems where extra mats would be helpful.
Several hard and bold routes were also put up on the obvious buttresses from instructors based at the Howtown centre.
Swarthbeck Gill itself provides a good hard scramble in summer and gives a good few pitches in a hard winter.
Approach notes
Swarthbeck Gill itself is subject to a bird ban in the nesting period check out The BMC for details.
Parking: Best to park in the layby next to the lake, 200m after passing the Sharrow Bay Hotel. Either walk along the road (700m) to the bridleway on the left leading up to the Boulders past some houses (Swarthbeck Gill) or from the parking go up through the little wood to gain a footpath leading across to the boulders pasing some holiday cottages on the way.
A Clearway have been declared for 4 miles on the South Side of the Lake, all parking is prohibeted. - The Layby has a sign staing this.
Restricted Access
Seasonal Restrictions
Dates: 15 February to 31 May
Reason: Nesting Birds
Unsigned restriction - applies to the popular scramble plus the short routes and bouldering on Raven's Crag.
If you are in the area and have the chance to observe the crag, please pass on any information to access@thebmc.co.uk as this is one of the few crags where information on nesting success can be difficult to come by.
| Got a council parking ticket parked sensibly (but 'on verge') on road. Be warned! clams - 25/Mar/24 |
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| Lovely venue. .relaxed climbing and great landings...with a handful of great problems....made a short video... https://vimeo.com/368315611 Ehmarra - 24/Oct/19 |
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| Video link
https://vimeo.com/68898666 KristopherHall - 22/Jun/13 |
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| One of the most picturesque crags in the Lakes. Lovely setting above Ullswater. Best lines include Ullswater arete, Elephantopus and Colonel Hathi, all lakes must do's! KristopherHall - 22/Jun/13 |
Climbs at this crag
| Name | Grade | Stars | Type | Logs | Partner Ascents |
|---|
These climbs you have climbed by seconding or top-roping.
These climbs you have Dogged.
These climbs you Did not Finish.
Climbs are waiting to be checked by a crag moderator, and may not be accurate. Climbs can't be verified by a crag moderator, and they need more information to confirm it. Climbs are no longer climbable.
Moderators Updates to this page are checked by UKC volunteers petegunn and Greg Chapman