Summer evenings at Scugdale always bring back memories of when I was a good climber and I could solo half the routes on the crag without trying. These days I’m lucky if I can muster the courage to climb one or two of the easiest routes, but it’s still a great place to spend a few hours.
The crags lie on the north side of the Scugdale valley on the northern edge of the North York Moors and are reached by a narrow and winding road from Swainby. The rock is middle Jurassic sandstone, solid and with surprisingly positive holds. There are hundreds of routes to climb, none more than 8 metres high, all south facing and quick to dry.
It must be one of the most popular crags in the area but tonight I had it to myself. I managed a few short, easy routes and then sat at the top watching the sun go down over the moors.
