UKC

Climbs 181
Rocktype Granite
Altitude Tidal
Faces W

View Stats

A climber finishing the powerful A Swift Flight of Fancy (E3 6a) at Sennen © Mark Glaister

Crag features

The squat, blunt nose of black and golden granite that protects the village of Sennen from the worst of the Atlantic weather is one of Cornwall's best-loved climbing venues. Although not particularly high, the quality of the climbing, the location of the crag and the impeccable quality of the granite combine to provide a crag for all, including non-climbing mates who are just along to sunbathe. Sennen has the advantages of being virtually non-tidal, only a quick stroll from the parking and within easy walking distance of a fantastic beach. The climbing itself is generally well-protected, vertical crack-climbing interspersed with some serious face climbs.

The crag gets plenty of afternoon sun, although the Terrace Cracks Area gets the sun from midday. Conditions can be greasy in the morning before the sun creeps around, and the cliff is exposed to wind and rain, though the crag dries very quickly.

Approach notes

Drive down into Sennen village and along the front to a car park at the end of the narrowing road (payment). From the public toilet at the far end of the car park, pick up the Coast Path and follow it a small distance uphill and then out to the old coastguard hut that is situated right on top of the crag. There are a number of options for gaining the base of the cliff but the most straightforward on first visit is to descend the gully with a large chockstone a short way down. The gully starts just to the left of the landward side of the old coastguard hut. A worn, narrow path heads rightwards to wide rock-ledges just above sea level as the gully opens out. Above these ledges is the Terrace Cracks Area. The other areas are easily reached by scrambling up and along rock steps and ledges that run along the base of the whole length of the cliff.

The cliff's only tidal section is the Black Zawn, which is sea-washed at high tides. However, the base of the crag is prone to being wave-washed in rough seas and is very dangerous during these periods.

La sportiva climbing shoes left near the top of banana split
Bethan Newman - 03/Sep/23
Seagull nesting at the top of the chimney on Demo route (where you belay from if doing it in two pitches).
Jaidigi - 13/May/19
Bird nest with 2 or 3 hatchlings on Monday face. Looks like another nest in golva area too
AlistairBerridge - 20/Jun/18
Login as Existing User to add your comments

Climbs at this crag

Name Grade Stars Type Logs Partner Ascents
Please Login or Register to log routes or add them to your wishlist
These climbs you have climbed clean.
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 a UKC volunteer Mark Kemball

Loading Notifications...