UKC

Climbs 310
Rocktype Limestone
Altitude 84m a.s.l
Faces W

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Bex testing the start of Woodbind, Fairy Steps, Spring 2015. © C Rettiw

Crag features

One of the finest crags in the South Lakes - superb rock and seldom busy. Many of the routes are now more commonly done as boulder problems. The boulder problems themselves are excellent with plenty to go at at all grades - for more information see:http://www.lakesbloc.com/crags/south-lakes-limestone/179-fairy-steps.html

Approach notes

The Dallam Estate are looking to restrict access to this crag. However the crag is accessible on various public footpaths.

Update this Crag
Last updated on 03/Sep/2024

Restricted Access

Following the previous climbing access and management agreement being terminated by the Dallam Estate, attempts were made to re-negotiate formal access for climbing. These were unfortunately unsuccessful and after over 40 years of access for climbing, formal access was lost.

The public can still access the area on a good network of public footpaths. If you do decide to visit and climb, you may be asked to leave by the landowner or their workers - if this happens be polite, pack up and leave as quickly as is safe to do so.

Oct 2023: there is organised shooting in the area. Please be aware that the shooting season is soon to start.

Click here for RAD Access Notes
Last update: 13/10/2023  

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Does anyone know if the grades are inclusive of topping out?
Removed User - 21/Mar/18
Went the other night and had mixed feelings, the upper tier has great routes (although rather short, best with just a pad). However the lower tiers are dusty, dirty and overgrown, needs a lot more traffic for the routes to be worthwhile
joe.91 - 17/Jun/10
Fantastic day spent climbing at this super crag. There is lots to go at and some really fun problems. Well worth chicking out.
Fred Sergeant - 28/Mar/09
Just back from an afternoon spent at Fairy Steps in perfect weather. Quite short routes in that grey area between bouldering and soloing. Some really excellent lines, over roofs, up cracks, bridging between massive limestone pillars! Really good fun, and with orange evening sun on your back what more could you ask for? Martin :)
davies00 - 19/Mar/08
Agree with Jim. The Fairy Steps is an excellent crag. It constists of two tiers of quality limestone. There are plenty of short routes, and with bouldering pads a few of these are now seen as boulder problems. I boulder there and i can say that there are loads of excellent problems up to V5, then there are fewer but still worth a visit problems up to V15.
Mike Binks - 10/Feb/06
The Fairy Steps,a quiet but fantastic location,with climbing on impeccable limestone.Fairly short routes with great bouldering,everything from V0-V15!! but the rock needs a couple of days to dry after rain.Parking is a bit of a problem,especially on those summer evenings.A great outlook over the Lake District fells and Kent estuary,with good pubs nearby!!!
jimblack - 05/Feb/05
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Climbs at this crag

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