UKC

Climbs 78
Rocktype Limestone
Altitude 223m a.s.l
Faces S

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Natalie Berry on the upper wall of Aperta (7a) Hidden Quarry © Alan James

Crag features

Hidden Quarry (formerly Darlton 2) is huge open quarry midway between Stoney Middleton and Horseshoe Quarry on the opposite side of the main road. There are currently 4 developed sectors with routes, 3 which face S/SE and which faces East. Most of the routes are around grade 6 sport and feature vertical face climbing. Longer routes on the Upper Tier reach up to 20m. The Main Wall gets sun all day not just in the morning

Approach notes

From Stoney Middleton village head west on the A623 (towards Manchester). Go past the right turn off for Eyam and continue to a sharp righthand bend. A short way past this turn sharp left onto Farnsley Lane. After a short distance a layby can be found on the left. Park here. (A couple of additional parking spaces can also be found on the main road just after the sharp bend.)

From the layby walk about 20 metres up the hill to a trampled path on the left.  Follow this through a meadowed area. After a way the path splits. To get to the Upper Tier keep right and follow the path through the trees until the first buttress (Upper Tier Right) is found. Continue along the path to get to the main section of the Upper Tier. To get to the lower tier where the path splits go left / straight on. A wide ramp is soon reached which leads down to the right. To get to Sit-down Buttress, branch left across the meadow after entering the quarry.

Restricted Access

Seasonal Restrictions

Dates: 1 March to 30 June

Reason: Nesting Birds

This restriction is in effect for 2024. The restriction applies to all routes on the Main Wall and Lower Tier buttresses, due to nesting Peregrines.

The old upper access route has some pretty aggressive razor wire that has been wrapped around the barbed wire fence. Either use the lower approach descended direct from the lay-by car parking to avoid altogether or sidestep it to the R (upslope) side.
TonyM - 17/Jul/23
As far as I can tell there are no nesting birds on or near the Main Wall this year.
DDDD - 09/Apr/23
When climbing on main wall recently we approached via the quarry floor where there are no signs regarding the nesting birds. We were intercepted by a very keen bird watcher very early in the morning who advised us of the situation. We had to reclimb a route to retrieve gear which he was not happy about . He also claimed peregrine falcon's are nesting above main wall this year. On leaving via the top Tier we did stumble on one very badly faded barely legible dign advising of a "voluntary ban" on climbing until June 2021 We probably should all adhere to such things but don't let anyone bully you off the crag. Pretty sure the jobsworth we spoke to would have had us leave behind £100 quids worth of gear if we didn't stand upto him. Fair warning.
AndyRogers - 08/Apr/21
Isn’t this called Hidden Quarry?
Christheclimber - 26/Aug/18
Already logged as Darlton 2
Stoney Boy - 11/Oct/17
The new reported routes on the West Face have now been moved to their proper home in Dalton 2 and four new routes added in line with Gary's site.
roger whetton - 20/Jul/17
I have added the new reported routes on the West Face. The suggested grades (and number of routes) don't match with Gary's site so there may be more in the way of an update to come....
roger whetton - 01/Jun/17
There are some new routes on the West Face. The suggested grades (and number of routes) don't match with Gary's site so I'll try and check things out before making any definite changes.
roger whetton - 03/May/17
Now updated in line with Gary's site with a couple of grade changes to reflect recent visitors experiences.
roger whetton - 14/Sep/15
on Gary g's site from left SITTING BULL 6A (poorest of routes here?)SIT ON IT 5+ both to same lower off.SIT DOWN ON IT 6a,SIT START IT AINT 6A (perhaps 6a+?)Sit up and Beg 6b,SIT DOWN WALL 6A (NICE) AND Stand out Arete 6B seemed good value at 6b but good and well bolted. Last 2 to same lower off
uphillnow - 27/Aug/15
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