West Penwith  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  100' Lat, Long:  50.1549, -5.6209 Map Page Views:  1,702. Good page?    Administrators:  Chris Owen, Euan Cameron, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Rob Davies UK on Nov 3, 2009 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Evening light at Sennen (photo by Phil Ashton)

Description 

South-western tip of Cornwall with many granite sea-cliffs but also other types of rock(e.g. greenstone). An important location for traditional climbing for over 100 years. Some cliffs are tidal but many have easy access. Weather is mixed but typically is a bit warmer and sunnier than most parts of the UK, certainly much better than in mountain areas.

Getting There 

Some of the best climbing in England is to be found on the sea-cliffs at its south-west extremity. This is quite a distance from the UK's main cities, but it's well worth the effort. Recent improvements on the A30 have shortened travel times significantly. The main local towns are Penzance and St Ives. Once off the main roads, driving is slow: narrow, twisty lanes with walls of very robust granite.

The Classics

Featured Route For West Penwith

Bosigran Ridge a.k.a. Commando Ridge 5.4  International : United Kingdom : ... : Bosigran

Great fun, whatever grade you climb at. Pitch 1 is only accessible when the sea is reasonably calm and the tide not too high. P1 is the hardest and the only pitch that needs detailed description: Climb up on to a shelf on the north-east (usually dark) side of the ridge then head left, stepping across into a black groove / chimney. Up this to a belay on the ridge (80'). From here on follow your nose, with most fun if the crest of the ridge is closely followed. After arriving back where you l...[more]   Browse More Classics in International