Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering
What is it all about?
Climbing, hill walking and mountaineering have something for everyone. They are lifelong activities that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities at any level.
In the UK we are blessed with a huge variety of mountain environments from the rolling hills of the South Downs, to the vast mountain ranges in North Wales and secluded climbing crags across the country. There is a wonderful diversity of rock types and formations from boulders and outcrops to sea cliffs and stacks, each lending themselves to different styles of climbing and walking.Choose the level of challenge to suit you. People go climbing and walking for different reasons – for enjoyment, to keep fit, to learn new skills and to experience the outdoors with friends and family.
Taking part
Climbing can be done indoors at a climbing wall or outdoors on natural rock. There are a variety of different disciplines including; indoor top roping, bouldering and lead climbing;outdoor sport climbing; traditional climbing; bouldering; deep water soloing; and ice climbing. Hill walking can progress into scrambling and mountaineering and all activities can take you away from your daily routine for just an hour, a day or weeks at a time.
Getting out on rock and into the hills and mountains is great fun but can be a daunting process. The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) website provides a wealth of information, advice and guidance to help you on your way. This includes articles and videos about hill walking, mountaineering, climbing indoors and outdoors, ski mountaineering, and ice climbing.Find out more about different types of climbing. (link bold to )
Get involved
Joining a club is a great way of getting involved in the outdoors, regardless of your skills and experience. Clubs are a great way to meet like-minded people, get informal instruction and to have a go at different activities without having to invest in all the gear. Though being a member of a club you can get access to cheap accommodation such as club huts in mountain areas, as well as gaining a ready source of climbing partners and walking companions. Clubs welcome new faces and many run special meets for newcomers along with social events at indoor climbing walls. You can find out more information on the benefits of joining a club along with how to find a club and climbing wall near you. Over 300 clubs are affiliated to the BMC.
Find out more about getting involved:
Why join a club -
BMC-affiliated clubs -
Search a map to find a club near you -
For a full list of clubs and wall with on the London and South East along with top tips about how to get active download the London and South East Mountaineer mini guide.
Getting started
Whether you are a beginner or already enjoy indoor climbing or country walking but want to take your experience further into rock climbing, hill walking, scrambling or winter mountaineering then the BMC’s Active Outdoors courses are for you. Active Outdoors is the umbrella name for a wide variety of courses we offer in hill walking, rock climbing, scrambling and winter skills. Many of them, like our Head for the Hills and Ready to Rock courses, are run through the National Sports Mountain Centre, Plas y Brenin( in the heart of the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales. Others, such as the Rock Out courses, for people wanting to move from indoor to outdoor climbing, are run in local areas with local providers.
Find out more about BMC Active Outdoor courses. (link bold to )
The BMC – the national representative body
Since 1944, the BMC has been working hard promoting the interests and protecting the freedomsof climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers. It is the national representative body for the sport and through a democratic structure the BMC promotes and advises on good practice, facilities, training and equipment; negotiates access improvement and promotes cliff and mountain conservation; supports events and specialist programmes including youth and excellence; and providesinformation and services for members. You can get inspired and find out more about the BMC and climbing, hill walking and mountaineering via the BMC website, social media, the BMC email newsletter and by watching BMC TV.
Keep up with the latest from the BMC:
BMC website
Find us on Facebook
Follow the BMC on Twitter
Sign up for BMC email newsletters
Watch BMC TV here
Contact the BMC
Contact details for RDO
Elizabeth Holley
Tel 07779124980