SUBLUMINAL

The low white line of sea cliff ‘under the light’ is the enchanting area of Subluminal. Subluminal is the place most folks head to for a first taste of Swanage steepness. The main reason for its popularity is the good selection of solid, short and amenably graded routes. Access is quick and there is a good ledge system running beneath the climbs that is well clear of the waves, giving the place a friendly atmosphere. Subluminal lies just west of the lighthouse and the Black Zawn, beneath open grass slopes. There is a clean-cut ledge above the climbs for gearing up and socialising, along with plentiful stakes for belays. Many of the climbs offer technical and fingery exercises as well as some bulging test-pieces in the Avernus Area. The Black Zawn is a place for the experienced only and has some of the best traditional pitches at Swanage in its confines. To its east are more routes worth searching out once the main classics have been ticked.

Routes

83 trad routes (D...E5) 9 dws routes (5...7c) Graded List of Routes List of First Ascents