Ground zero for Yorkshire bouldering, Almscliff is something of a touchstone for climbers, and has left its mark on bouldering culture in the North. The crag as also left indents in the fingertips of all who've made the pilgrimage to tussle with its crimps and slopers made of quite unique variety of ultra-hard gritstone. A worthy destination venue, but also a fantastic local's crag, where repeat visits bear fruit on the many traverses and harder linkups - the Bas Cuvier of Wharfedale. However it's not all desperates, and in fact some of the crag's finest lines and best problems are to be found in the circuit of mid or low grade classics, so there's plenty for everyone. There are some thin technical problems and highballs mixed in with the low powerful roofs, but one thing in common is almost everything demands strong fingers - if you don't have 'em already then you will have after a few visits.

The crag lies on private land and, although crossed by public footpaths and heavily used by the general public, the permission to climb here is not an automatic right. In recent years the prevalence of climbing using lamps to climb at night has caused problems, and the farmer has specified that there is to be no nighttime climbing at Almscliff - please respect this rule. In general be aware that as climbers here we are very much on display to the general public and the farmer, so best behaviour should be the norm. If you can pick up any litter you discover and take it home then that sets a good example for others.