UKC

Climbs 162
Rocktype Gritstone
Altitude 408m a.s.l
Faces SW

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Sunset at Windgather Rocks © Jake

Crag features

Windgather is one of the friendliest and most popular crags in the Peak District. The tasty grades and abundance of holds on most routes mean that most people will be able to climb something here no matter how tall, short, young, old or unfit they are. Curiously though the routes can feel a little run out. This is also the case on the crag top where solid belays are often hard to find.


Considering that the cliff has been popular for a hundred years, it is in remarkable condition, please do your bit and see if we can get another hundred years out of the place.


Looking out toward the west, the cliff is inclined to catch any weather that is going, though this exposed aspect keeps the cliff free from lichen, and also helps it to dry immediately after rain. Windgather is at its most delightful on warm summer evenings when the setting can be enjoyed to the full.

Approach notes

Windgather is situated above the minor road that leads south from the B5470 on the western edge of Kettleshulme. There is parking by the road below the cliff for a dozen or so cars, and from here access takes a couple of minutes via a fenced track. If the parking is full, park back up the road by the old quarry or consider a visit to Castle Naze.

Update this Crag
Last updated on 18/Sep/2023

No Access Issues

A very popular group and family site that also sees its fair share of soloing and bouldering. Belays at the top are sometimes difficult to arrange and friable so be careful when placing and removing gear. Please keep dogs under close control at all times as there are usually sheep grazing below the crag. 

Click here for RAD Access Notes
Last update: 21/12/2022  

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I was struggling to work out which problem was which in the far-right bay, so I made a topo to try to figure it out. Have I got it right? http://02-75.com/uploads/Windgather%20Quarry%20Red%20Wall%20topo.pdf It seems to me most likely that Cornflake is another name for Face Crack, but please do let me know if that's incorrect too. Thanks
yossarian714 - 05/Oct/15
Well worth a visit its a great crag with lots of lower grade climbs you just need to be carfull setting up belays at the top as there are no stakes
Derek.cttn - 19/Apr/15
Soloed all the rockfax routes today except 'portfolio' which I roped up for! Great little crag
Deezel65 - 12/Jul/14
Great crag, with climbs for everyone, superb location. Shame about some peoples parking efforts. (Using both sides of the road so that larger traffic cannot pass )
Dan_M_MCR - 07/Oct/13
Ticked the crag in a morning ..very enjoyable !
mux - 22/Jun/13
Christmas Buttress topo at http://www.wikitopo.com/crag.php?cragId=421
rockman - 16/Jun/12
Here is an editable topo of the "Two Nose Buttress" at the far left of the crag - just before the path up to the top. http://www.wikitopo.com/crag.php?cragId=421&tId=1631
rockman - 15/Jun/12
There are some hi-res images of this crag I took ages ago for the fun of it. Hope they are of interest to anyone thinking of going. http://www.cragmaps.co.uk/windgather-rocks
eonuk - 31/May/12
I went to Windgather for the first time this morning and discovered that the overhang in the gully of Overhanging Arete has collapsed. Some of it is at the bottom of the crag and some of it is still in the gully. The stability of this is unknown, please be careful.
Mark Collins - 30/Oct/11
Perfect for an evening chill out. Or the 'gather 30, 30 routes < 90minutes. That's actually a good workout and all below VS.
ColinD - 27/Sep/11
Tick the whole crag in a day. Superb training for long alpine routes.
A Crook - 31/Aug/11
excellent little crag, loads of routes and great if you want to just practise leading and setting up belays anchors (which is a little awkward on some places), overall easy access and some great climbing.
mlmatt - 04/Apr/07
if you plan to just boulder, go far left on the crag, plenty of tricky problems and its unpolished rock, fairly quiet aswell.
Mr Wild - 12/Dec/05
14 routes in one hour, including south butress arete direct!
Andrew Emery - 08/Oct/04
A great little crag, unusually (for grit) it abounds with juggy holds, with very little jamming, so it's ideal for visiting with those climbers who are always moaning about jamming cracks (you know who you are ;)
Nick Smith - 12/Jul/04
Easy crag for starters. If you plan on top-roping take some gear with you as there is only one stake and very few natural anchors. Good fun and confidence builder.
tsunamisurfer - 10/Aug/03
Buttress 1 is left of South Buttress, not Christmas Buttress as implied.
Paul J - 01/Apr/03
Obviously, as the name suggests, the wind gets very fierce here sometimes. The climbs are very satisfying though, as are the views. A fun climb to try is to traverse the entire length of the wingather rocks, this takes a while and has a few slighlty tricky sections, and numerous routes!
Will Cannon - 11/Dec/02
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