The huge winding gash of the Avon Gorge is home to the UK's biggest and best urban crag. Brunel's famous suspension bridge spans the gorge, providing a magnificent backdrop to the climbing and, even though the cliffs are blighted by traffic noise, the climbing experience is memorable. The walls rise to around 70m and are composed of high quality quarried limestone for the most part, the one exception being the grand natural buttress beneath the suspension bridge itself.
The climbing is predominantly traditional and caters for most tastes and abilities, offering single and multi-pitch climbs across the grade range. The compact and quarried nature of the Sea Walls and Main Wall take a bit of getting used to, their profusion of flat or sloping holds, and spaced protection, exercising the mind as much as the body. In contrast, the Suspension Bridge Buttress and Unknown Area offer a more conventional limestone experience with better protection on generally steeper faces. The New Quarry is the main sport climbing destination and, whilst not as impressive as its neighbouring walls, being set back from the road makes it a popular and pleasant spot to spend time.
A good deal of the protection, especially on Main Wall, is from fixed gear in the form of pegs and bolts. Many of the pegs are old and should be backed-up, whereas the bolts do get replaced from time to time.
Access to the Gorge and its climbing is simple and for the travelling visitor makes a convenient stop-off on the way to, or returning from, locations deeper into the West Country.