Brimham Rocks is best known for its jumble of amazing, bizarrely-shaped pinnacles, cliffs and boulders. This gritstone wonderland was always what I pictured when I thought of Brimham Rocks, and always where I climbed when I went there. I vaguely knew that there is climbing elsewhere on Brimham Moor, but I kept returning to this honeypot because I felt that nothing else on the Moor could match it. However, I recently felt the need to try somewhere new, and so looked in a bit more detail at some of Brimham’s bouldering outliers. That’s when I decided that I might have been missing something good and should visit Brimham Rocks’ Low Roof sector. However, it was only in the run-up to Christmas that I had the time, and the weather I needed, for a short trip there.
The Low Roof sector has a different character from the main part of Brimham Rocks. It sits on the gentle slopes of the east of Brimham Moor, just above the road that cuts the moor in two. Except for the Roadside Roof boulder, the Low Roof sector has no pinnacles, and the rocks are not particularly tall. Most of the area is covered in bracken with sparse, short trees. There are fantastic wide views across the lower part of Nidderdale and as far away as Harrogate. Even on the grey day on which I visited, I could see the white radomes of RAF Menwith Hill, Stainburn Moor, and the Knabs Ridge wind farm.
I spent a few minutes walking around the area trying to get my bearings, and considering what to climb. There were little remnants of snow among the bracken and heather, and a cuttingly cold wind. I eventually decided to try the small collection of easier problems on the Swiss Tony boulder. The ripples, waves, and breaks on its short, vertical side wall looked fun. I enjoyed climbing the wall but had less fun with the rounded top-outs that are typical of Brimham climbing.
I then moved on to the Nantucket boulder to try a problem going up a series of irregular steps below a slight overhang. This was a problem that I found more puzzling than I probably should have, and which left me wondering if my approach to climbing it was all wrong.
That was all I had time for on this taster trip to the Low Roof sector. It was just enough to get a feel for the place, to know my way around, and to confirm to myself that I should have visited sooner. It was also useful for identifying a couple of traverses that look interesting and entertaining, and which will be the objectives for my next visit.
Further information
The Unknown Stones website has a comprehensive guide to the bouldering in the Low Roof sector. The bouldering here also features on the 27Crags website and app.
In addition, a small selection of the problems in the Low Roof sector appear in Yorkshire Gritstone, Vol. 1: Almscliff to Slipstones as well as a useful aerial photograph of this end of Brimham Moor. This guidebook refers to this sector as Roadside, after another of the boulders in the area.
UPDATE: 30 March 2025 – I’ve had a short and intense trip back to Low Roof to try out the traverses that I saw on my first visit.
the Severe climber 
Nice problems from whst I remember.
They were good. I’m going to have to go back to try more.
That last photo looks really high for a boulder!
There’s very good bouldering in my near area I think – under Carrock Fell and also around Caldbeck Common. The under Carrock Fell bouldering is very popular and well-used.
It’s not too high, but I imagine that it looks further down when you are on the boulder.
The Carrock Fell bouldering is on my to do list, and I should probably work my way down that list a bit more.
Such a cool write-up! Sounds like a fun little adventure at Low Roof. Love how you captured the vibe of exploring and trying new moves. Can’t wait to hear how those traverses go next time!
Such a cool write-up! Sounds like a fun little adventure at Low Roof. Love how you captured the vibe of exploring and trying new moves. Can’t wait to hear how those traverses go next time!
Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.