Peak District limestone, it's not all chossy quarries, honestly! And, it's not all overhanging crimp-fests either.

So for those climbers for whom a rest involves a sandwich and cup of tea, not just a slightly bigger hold, we have put together a selection of high quality trad routes, spanning the grades VDiff to E2, and all within a stone's throw of a cake shop.

Are you more in to breadsticks than clipsticks? Us too! Have you ticked all these routes? No? Us neither! But you can log your progress at getting these routes done using this UKC Logbook Ticklist: Classic Peak Limestone Trad.

Low Grade Gems

Trident Arete (VD), VDiff, Harborough Rocks

A fine little route with a couple of easy variations to the side of it.

Lynx (HS 4b), HS, No match for crag id:'Wildcat Crags (aka Wild Cat)'

A great rising diagonal line across a steep buttress - a great way to get to territory normally reserved for harder routes.

Golden Yardstick (VS 5a), VS 5a, No match for crag id:'Wildcat Crags (aka Wild Cat)'

The left-hand side of High Crag at Wildcat gives slightly harder climbing than Lynx, with a superb stance at half-height.

Multi-pitch Delights

Ravensdale is an unlikley crag. Situated near Miller's Dale in an area better known for its intense fingery sport climbing, lies this surprising west-facing delight of mid-grade multi-pitch trad limestone.

Medusa (HVS 5a), VS 4b

A little polished these days but the central line of the buttress is still a popular tick with fine climbing and one slippery crack.

Conclusor (HVS 5a), HVS, 5a

Steady climbing up clean rock between the ivy. Possibly the best route at the crag!

High Tor below E1

Skylight (VS 4c), VS 4c, High Tor

This magnificent corner bounds the left-hand side of the main face at High Tor. It offers brilliant sustained climbing (with a fair amount of polish).

Highlight (HVS 5a), HVS 5a, High Tor

The companion corner left of Skylight gives a great route which is similar to its neighbour but a touch harder.

Original Route (M), HVS 5a, High Tor

The third classic route below E1 at High Tor is the fine corner on the Main Face. One of the best routes of its kind in the country.

Timeless Classics

The following two routes are well known to many.

The Thorn (HVS 5a), HVS 5a, No match for crag id:'Beeston Tor (Manifold Valley)'

Worth seeking out. A fine line up this impressive face with a commiting and exposed moves on the second pitch providing the (photogenic) crux.

Sirplum (E2 5c), E1 5b, Chee Dale Upper

One of the steepest and most exposed routes of its grade in the Peak District. Breath-taking positions and fine climbing leading outwards above the void on huge holds for the most part. In combination with Aplomb it gives an E1 day out that will leave you dizzy from the exposure.

Stoney Selection

Dead Banana Crack (E1 5c), E1 5c, Stoney Middleton

Not so much fun climbing as a must-do experience. The slippery start repels most attempts, get past this and you will probably make the top.

Scoop Wall (HS), E2 5c, Stoney Middleton

The finest route at Stoney Middleton tackling the central feature of its best buttress. Lots of fixed gear on this one, but take your wires to back it up and fill the gaps.

The High Tor D Routes

Delicatessen (E2 5c), Darius (E3 5c), Debauchery (E1 5b)

Was there ever a better trio than this? Three fine routes crossing the best face of limestone in England.

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• 07541610591
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Thanks to Chris Craggs, Adrian Berry, Dan Lane, Christian Fox, Neil Foster, Dave Foster for their photographs.

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