Looking for classic routes? Want some good ticks? This is where to look, the UK climbing Top Tens. They're just recommendations, think of each of the lists as a particular climbers nominations for the ten best routes at a crag/area, an alternative opinion to the stars in the guidebooks. The crags and routes aren't listed in any particular order.
Thanks go to John Mitchell for collecting the first few lists to start things off.
If you think you know a crag or area well enough to give some recommendations, send in your Top Ten. They don't have to be hard routes, just enjoyable ones. A general comment on the selection criteria is useful, for instance the sub-set of grades (E5 climbers aren't going to nominate many VSs, and vice versa), the style of climbing ("I enjoy jug-fests", "I love slabs", etc). And especially do tell us why you think they're so good.
All of these have been updated with links to the crags they mention. More please! And tell us if you've got pictures of any of these routes which you'd like featured alongside them. It doesn't have to be your top ten - now you can show off on other peoples' ticklists!
- Sub-Extremes at the Roaches by Killer Duck. Nothing over HVS, some just Diff, and all splendid.
- Easy winter routes by MattG. Get them while they're cold! If you want an easy introduction to the frozen stuff, take some hints here.
- Ten top VS grit Peak routes by Shaun Walby. All VS, all grit, all his own choice. Have you done them? Can you better them?
- Going to North Wales? Read Sean Kelly's Quality and variety in mountainous North Wales. They range from VDiff to E3 - there's bound to be one for you.
- Nine routes to make you go ahh.. by Mike Smith. Nothing more than E1 and all more than simply enjoyable.
- My first year's leading by Nick Barrowclough. Mostly VS and HVS, and almost all in North Wales - but not necessarily on the Cromlech or the Mot (though a couple are).
- The, er, Worst? descents by Tony Buckley. Ten places where it's not the getting up, it's the getting down - watch your step!
- Best VSs and HSs by Charlie Pickin. Cornwall! The Lakes! Stanage! Costa Blanca! They're all there..
- Granite for softies by John Henry Bull. Places to go in Europe without your bivi bag (hopefully)
- Yorkshire sandbags - let Chris Fryer tell you of the horrors that used to be (before they updated the guidebook)
- Testing routes for Big Boots -as chosen by Vdiff Dave, of Rocktalk fame.
- The Culm coast - honestly, it's not that awful. Mark Kemball offers the pick of the bunch.
- Portland - easy Extremes as chosen by Ben Thorne
- Stanage VSs - the best. As picked by Horse (of Rocktalk fame)
- Gogarth - easy Extremes. Let Tom Briggs be your guide..
- Scary VS routes by Albie Niedojadlo. We think this speaks for itself.
- Want some easy, superb Yorkshire grit? How about the best? Victor Scott has over 30 years' climbing experience: here's his selection.
- Dolerite - it's Scottish, it's great. Try this set of mid-range (VS - E1) routes by Ian McCabe to inspire both visitors and locals.
- Gritstone HVS - "where the H stands for Hard". Find out if you're a god according to Tim Henry's top ten.
- Avon Extremes: from E1 to E7, including a potential 90-footer if you mess up.. see what Oli Watkins recommends for you (added December 5)
- Find some abandoned gear! Slab yourself silly! Climb creaking dolerite bridges! (Errr...) It's all in Adrian Baugh's top ten (added October 30)
- Try some Esoteric Southern Sandstone, courtesy of Les Thomson. There's even a undone new route for you to try..
- Ever been to Symonds Yat? Thinking of going? Another guidebook writer reveals the gems! Have a look at Doug Kerr's list of Extremes, and take them along.
- Chris Craggs, the guidebook writer who's climbed on more crags than most people have climbed routes, names his all-time favourites after more than 30 years.
- Twenty VS leads to ease yourself up a grade, Charlie Jordan
- Scottish Mountain Extremes from E1 to E6, by Simon Witcher
- Ten sub-Extremes in Avon Gorge by Stefan Kruger
- Ten Winter Climbs and Ten Rock Climbs in Scotland, Dave Virdee
- Shorn Cliff, by Stefan Kruger
- Fifty from VS to E3: ten routes at each gradeby Charles Arthur
- Yorkshire Limestone from E2 to F8c by Simon Panton
- Welsh Slate Quarries: how to get from HVS to E7 in 19 not-so-easy steps, by Christian Dhurkin
- Stanage HVS: sustained brilliance, by Adam Greenwood
- Stanage Obscurities: 10 Diffs that aren't necessarily easy (but are worth doing), by Mark Torrance
- South Wales, A selection of top sport, sandstone and ..other routes from different areas, by Simon Coles
- Pen Trwyn, by Christian Dhurkin
- Wintours Leap, by Mark Torrance
- Northumberland: the best ten from Severe to HVS - no Extremes!, byNige Thomas
- Harrisons Rocks, 5b to 6a, by Paul Miron
- Gogarth: hand-picked from 100+ candidate routes, by Chris Ayres
- North Wales Winter Routes, by Chris Ayres
- The South West, by Tom Rainbow
- Ten great VS climbs in Northumberland, by Brian Everett
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