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The meandering and deeply-incised valley of the River Dove is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the whole of the Peak. There are rocky outcrops down the whole length of the valley, many of which are clearly visible to the tourist hoards and others that are well-hidden from view. Unfortunately the low-lying and sunny aspect of much of the rock means that the vegetation can be rampant, especially in high summer. The best (and most popular) of the climbs stay clean but venture from these and a degree of jungle-bashing may be in order, with steep grassy exits being perhaps the choicest of the various problems that the greenery presents.

Routes

116 trad routes (VD...A2) 9 sport routes (6b+...8a) Graded List of Routes List of First Ascents

Buttress (click for routes)	No. of Routes	Route Type	Sunshine or shade	Approach walk	Other	Page
Baley Buttress The first piece of decent rock on the east bank of the river is a sheltered, south-facing tower of...	6	Trad	Sun from mid-morning	Uphill 15 mins		299
Ravens Tor A fine steep cliff, northeast-facing and seamed by a selection of cracks and grooves, giving some...	17	Trad	Morning sun	Uphill 20 mins		301
Dove Holes The twinned sockets provide one of the Peak's more unusual climbing venues - a pair of water-worn...	10	Trad	No sun	Level 20 mins	Seepage Dry in the Rain	304
Ilam Rock The finest pinnacle in the valley is in a dramatic setting, leaning out over the river and the...	8	Trad	Sun and shade	Level 25 mins	Dry in the Rain	306
Pickering Pinnacle Pickering Pinnacle is the slender, grassy tower opposite Ilam Rock. It offers some good climbing on...	11	Trad	Sun and shade	Up and down 25 mins		309
Thunderball A sunny wall in a very secluded setting. Apart from Thunderball, the routes see zero traffic -...	6	Trad	Lots of sun!	Up and down 25 mins		310
The Watchblock One of the best walls in Dovedale is the superb Watchblock Buttress, home to the classic...	7	Trad	Afternoon sun	Up and down 25 mins		311
Reynard's Arch A popular attraction, a least since all the trees that used to hide it were cut down. There is a...	6	Sport	No sun	Up and down 25 mins	Seepage Dry in the Rain Windy	312
Campanile Pinnacle The tower has a grassy front face of little interest, its right side has better rock. The most...	3	Trad	Afternoon sun	Level 30 mins		314
Silicon Wall Area In the middle of the pinnacles are two small walls with a set of good pitches on clean rock.	10	Trad	Afternoon sun	Level 30 mins		315
The John Peel Wall The tallest and best rock at Tissington Spires is the John Peel Wall. Most of the routes start in...	14	Trad	Afternoon sun	Up and down 30 mins		316
South Gully Buttress The last of the Tissington Spires is known as South Gully Buttress. The routes described here vary...	5	Trad	Afternoon sun	Up and down 30 mins		318
Dovedale Church Dovedale Church East Face has a great selection of routes ranging from the amiable VS 4c of Snakes...	23	Trad	Sun and shade	Level 35 mins	Seepage	320
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DOVEDALE

Routes

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