- Hard sandstone climbs well when dry
- Breezy — helps drying
NORTHUMBERLAND — NORTHUMBERLAND GRIT · SANDSTONE
St Cuthbert's Cave Crag climbing conditions
Good — dry and climbable
Right now
Assessment
7-day forecast
Scroll through each day — hourly detail is shown inline.
- Hard sandstone climbs well when dry
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
- Wet sandstone is slippery — let the rock dry before leading
About St Cuthbert's Cave Crag
St Cuthbert's Cave Crag features striking Fell Sandstone overhangs and pillars surrounding the historic cave shelter associated with St Cuthbert. The rock is solid and characterful, featuring deep pockets, smooth scoops, and dramatic roof features. Facing south within a sheltered woodland setting at modest elevation, the crag enjoys sun while remaining protected from bitter winds, though shade from trees can delay drying after wet weather. The climbing style is physical and steep, offering high-quality traditional routes and hard bouldering testpieces across mid-to-high grades. Notable lines include Cuthbert's Wall (E1 5b) and The Cave Route (VS 4c). The approach takes fifteen minutes along a pleasant, signposted foot-path from the National Trust car park. The paramount factor is cultural and environmental respect; the cave is a historical site, so soft shoe ethics, clean gear use, and zero chalk damage are strictly expected.
- Region
- Northumberland — Northumberland Grit
- Rock type
- sandstone
- Aspect
- south-facing
- Altitude
- 150m
- Exposure
- low
- Seepage
- low