Climbing Holidays In The Peak District
Climbing in the Peak District is fast becoming a popular adventure activity but before you head over some rock Rock Climbing In The Peak District, you may want to know a little bit more about the area and its history.
For starters, the upland area is located primarily in northern Derbyshire, specifically in the Peak District National Park. An interesting bit of trivia is that this national park was the first in the British Isles when it was designated as such back in 1951.
Another unique thing about this particular park is that it is the second most visited national park in the world with over 22 million annual visitors.
Long before the area became such a hot spot for tourism, it was populated by early human beings. Evidence of human activity from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, including flint and burial mounds, shows that the Peak District has been calling to the human imagination for as long as we’ve been spreading ourselves around the globe.
More than 100 years ago, modern people were already enjoying the pleasures of rock climbing in the Peak area. Because parts of what is now the national park were once owned by rich people who restricted access to the land and who employed vigilant gamekeepers whose sole purpose was to keep the public away, most people only climbed the crags.
Once the area was opened to the public as part of the national park, people were finally able to enjoy the true beauty and awe-inspiring nature of the Peak.
No matter your experience level with rock climbing you’ll find something to tackle safely, that’s why it’s a good idea to pay attention to weather conditions in the area before heading in for your attempt.
The spring and autumn are always pleasant times to go for a climb but then there is the summer. While this is the biggest season for tourists, it’s also a great time for climbing in general.
Not only is the weather a little more dry but if you can climb to the top of the moorland crags you’ll find a reprieve from some of the heat and can find a relatively cool place to relax before starting the trip back down again.
The Peak District has plenty of places to stay ranging from guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments through to hotels, and if you choose one of the Peak District spa hotels you will of course want to relax and unwind after a hard days climbing with a nice relaxing session in the Jacuzzi before settling down to plan tomorrows climb.
As you’re planning your climb, remember that safety should be your primary thought. Make sure you bring someone along who knows what they are doing if you don’t. It’s also a great idea to bring alone your mobile phone just in case of an emergency.
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