Blue Ridge Highlands, Virginia
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Rock Climbing and Bouldering...

Whether you're indoors or outdoors, rock climbing is great exercise for your mind and body.  Please keep in mind that many routes and boulders are on state owned or forest owned land and may not be promoted due to the danger and liability. Have respect for all property and owners and establish a reputation as being responsible, ethical and safe.  Get permits when needed and always ask permission before climbing or defacing rock with permanent bolts.

Bouldering

  • BozooMcAfee Knob | Catawba
    As one of the most heavily hiked sections of the Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob is a very popular destination. The 3.5 mile hike is well worth your while. The panoramic view available at the knob is astounding. The fact that there are more than 75 climbable boulders at the summit is the icing on the cake. The long hike and vast expanse of boulders has kept the area fairly underdeveloped.

    The rock in general, is gritty sandstone, in some areas it is smooth like HP40 while in other areas it is hard slick quartzite. There are slopers, pockets, edges, tiny crimps and glorious jugs. Most boulders on the top are vertical, rectangular and between 10 and 20 feet tall. There are a few roofs and many groveling topouts.
    Latitude, Longitude: 37.38020, -80.09010

  • Grayson Highlands State Park | Grayson
    The road leading into the park area has a few hidden boulder fields on the left and right. Once you get into the park, check out the visitors center boulders, and then take the hike up the grassy hill at the rhododendron gap parking lot, at the top of the hill you can take your pick from three differant bouldering fields(all visable from the top) just remember to enjoy the hike!
    Latitude, Longitude: 36.62724, -81.49246

  • Mount Rogers | Damascus
    There are several hundred boulders if you hike on the AT towards Grayson Highlands that could warrant some exploring. If you are looking for a backpacking destination with the occasional bouldering break look no further. If not for the climbing, this area is definitely worth the hike just to experience it.

  • Bozoo
    is a quality stretch of sandstone rock on the border of Virginia and West Virginia. Head to Bluestone Lake State Park and you'll discover a developed cliff known as Bozoo. Bozoo is home to 50 routes of colorful, bullet-hard faces that average vertical to overhanging. The majority of the routes follow all-gear natural lines and there are a number of climbs that are classic climbs. Climbs range from 5.7 to 5.13c/d.

Rock Climbing

  • Iron Gate
    Features over 30 routes with many Gunks-like horizontal cracks & roof. Sport routes are the norm with many climbs requiring just a fistful of quickdraws and a 60m rope. 5.9-5.12b/c.

  • Fools Face | McCoy
    Not much for climbing here but a nice place to go to climb after classes. there are acouple of routes on the rock mostly under 5.9

  • Barney's Wall | Pembroke
    Barney's Wall climbing site is accessed via the Cascade Falls trail. There is no signage. Hike the upper trail until you reach an overhanging rock on left (almost to main falls). Follow base of rock wall to climbing area. Blocky sandstone tends to provide excellent holds although overhangs provide plenty of challenges. Estimate climbs in the area to be from 5.8 - 5.12, getting difficult near the main wall that has the largest overhang.

  • Tinker Cliffs | Catawba
    Super long cliffline. The hike up is fairly strenuous, 3.5 Miles I believe. Lots of potential for bouldering and routes. It is about ten miles down the ridge from McAfee's Knob. Use the Andy Lane trail to get there.

  • Bozoo
    is a quality stretch of sandstone rock on the border of Virginia and West Virginia. Head to Bluestone Lake State Park and you'll discover a developed cliff known as Bozoo. Bozoo is home to 50 routes of colorful, bullet-hard faces that average vertical to overhanging. The majority of the routes follow all-gear natural lines and there are a number of climbs that are classic climbs. Climbs range from 5.7 to 5.13c/d.
    Driving Directions
    website

  • Dragon's Tooth | Catawba
    This bouldering area is pretty far from the parking lot. After hiking several mile on the Dragon's Tooth trail, you will come to sevearl large fins that are pretty big. The super classic line is the obvious Finger Crack. There is much to be had in the V3 and under category. Other Climbing Areas

  • Fools Face
  • Tinker Cliffs
  • Tunstall's Tooth

Indoor Climbing Gyms

  • Charlotte Fox Climbing Wall | Hollins University
    The Charlotte Fox Climbing Wall is a full-service climbing wall for the whole family. Charlotte Fox, Hollins class of 1979, was the first American woman to climb three of the world's 8,000-meter (26,000-foot) peaks. She survived the deadly blizzard on Mount Everest in May 1996 that writer Jon Krakauer chronicled in Into Thin Air. We welcome individuals of all abilities to come and climb with us. Whether this is your first time climbing or your 50th, a trained staff member will be on hand to walk you through it top to bottom and provide belaying. With four roped climbs and a variety of routes, almost everyone can find a challenge.
    website

  • Radford Climbing Wall
    Open to the public and located on the campus of Radford University, the Radford Climbing Wall is about 25' to 30' tall and has several top-rope anchors on it. You can also boulder on the lower portion of the wall. They can supply harnesses and shoes if you need them and even have staff that will belay you so you don't need any experience to climb there.
    website

  • Wytheville Climbing Gym
    Come experience the 33-foot high Entre Prises custom constructed climbing wall. It features a crystal plywood system that has a high friction coating and offers a flat panel surface for kids and beginners. It also has a 3-D curved imprint system that was specifically designed for our wall with a 5-foot overhang. The imprint system is constructed of polymer cement and will not polish or lose its texture. The holds used vary in size and shape. Perfect for novice or old hand! Climbing holds and routes are changed periodically to keep the experience fun and exciting.
    website

  • Rise Up Climbing
    Located in Lynchburg, Rise Up Climbing contains 50+ routes on 40' walls with top ropes and lead available. The climbing wall features widely varying terrain from vertical to steeply overhung. The bouldering is extensive with over 60 problems spread over a top out boulder and a very steep 14' wall. Over 7,000 square feet of climbing wall is available. A belay competency test is required for using the roped walls. An extensive instructional program is available as backtotopwell.
    website

  • The Rock | Christiansburg
    It is located across the street from the Corning plant on 460 Business between Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Look for the Dwelling Place Christian Fellowship next to the Citgo gas station. The bouldering wall is located in the church on the right side of the building.

Rock Climbing Courses and Clubs

  • Rock Climbing and Rappelling | Southwest Virginia Community College
    website
  • The Roanoke Outdoor and Social Club | website | Facebook
  • Rock Climbing Club at VT | Blacksburg
    The climbing club at Virginia Tech is a student organization dedicated to helping people of all skill levels experience the joy of climbing. The club provides opportunities to meet other climbers, slide shows to see what other people are climbing, clinics to demonstrate some of the skills climbers need, and organizes trips to get out on the rock. Club meetings are open to anyone who would like to come.
    website


Resources...

Virginia Tourism