Berowra Rock Climbing 

Berowra, an Aboriginal word meaning “place of many winds,” is a suburb located about 40 kilometers north of Sydney.  Surrounded by lush parks, it is nestled between Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to the east and Berowra Valley National Park to the southwest. I had never heard of the climbing opportunities in this area before, so I was eager to explore it. Being much closer to Manly than the Blue Mountains, I was excited to discover a great climbing spot so near to home.

Here is the view from the top of the cliff!

The best access to the climbing area is from Wideview Road and there is easy parking along the trees on the shoulder of the road.  Detailed extensively on The Crag, the area features 122 routes with grades ranging from 3 to 29, predominantly sport climbs (bolted routes). The approach is incredibly convenient, requiring only about a 5-minute walk.  It begins with a dusty dirt path, followed by a left turn onto a wide concrete drive, which then narrows back into a dirt path leading up into the trees and along the base of the cliff.

Pimple Buttress

I had not climbed outdoors in about a year and a half and others in the group had never climbed outdoors at all, so we took it easy.  We spent most of the day in a section called Pimple Buttress.  First, we climbed a couple short, easy routes called ThreeSandShoes and Taylor Made which were only a few bolts but fun to get warmed up a little.  Then we climbed It’s For You and an overhang route called Abe Simpson (Grade 17) which was the most fun and a bit challenging.  We also climbed another easy route called WallowWall.  

Blackboard Wall

For our last climb we moved to a section called the Balckboard Wall.   We climbed a route called Yesterday’s Heroes (Grade 17) that had quite a tricky start but the holds improved as you went further up the route.  I lead all the other routes but I just top roped this one since it was starting to get dark but I would like to come back and lead it next time.  

Summary

It was definitely a more relaxing day and much easier climbing than I have done in the past but it felt great to get outside.  The area is beautiful and there are quite a few nice routes.  We did not see any snakes but, in reading up on this crag, it sounds like there are regular sightings of tiger snakes and the notes in The Crag indicate that eastern brown snakes are known to rest in the pockets on some routes.   Both snakes are extremely venomous.  In fact, eastern brown snakes are considered the second most venomous land snakes in the world after the inland taipan so I’m really glad we didn’t run into any.  I will definitely look more closely next time!