Scrambling – ideas, classic routes and how to get started safely

Scrambling and climbing grades

Extract from Scrambles in the Lake District (two volumes) by John Fleetwood

Grading is inherently subjective but gives a guide as to the difficulty of the route. Minus (-) and plus (+) notations are used to augment the 1–3 grades to add further granularity. Rock climbing grades are used for routes commonly climbed as roped rock climbs. Climbers’ scrambles are identified in the Summary of routes and scrambles table and Appendix A. These are scrambles that are only suitable for scramblers with climbing experience and should be treated as rock climbs. Where alternatives exist, the grade for the alternative is given in brackets. The grades apply to ascents in good dry conditions. Wet rock, particularly on the crags, can increase the grade considerably or render a scramble extremely hazardous.

• 1: A straightforward scramble, with little or no route-finding difficulty. The described route takes the most interesting line, which can usually be varied or even avoided at will. Generally, the exposure is not significant, but even so, great care must be taken to avoid a slip.

• 2: Contains longer and more difficult stretches of scrambling, and a rope may be useful for ensuring safety for inexperienced or nervous scramblers. Although individual sections of the scramble can usually be avoided, these sections may be inescapable once the scramble is underway. Some skill in route finding is required to follow the described line.

• 3: A more serious proposition, only to be undertaken by competent parties. Escape is difficult. A rope is advisable for safety on exposed passages and for some pitches of easy rock climbing. The routes require a steady leader with the ability to judge how the rest of the party are coping with the situations, and a rope should be used wherever the safety of an individual is in doubt.

• 3S: A particularly serious outing, often involving poor rock or vegetation, and may include steep pitches of rock climbing. Recommended only for experienced, competent climbers who will almost certainly use a rope on key pitches. Escape is difficult.

• M: Moderate rock climb

• D: Difficult rock climb

• VD: Very Difficult rock climb

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Similar activities and mountain adventures

If you enjoy scrambling then you may be interested in our 'Mountain Adventures' guidebooks to Chamonix, Innsbruck and the Maurienne, all of which include a selection of scrambles and climbs, as well as walks, via ferrata mountain biking and cycling routes. Then there's always canyoning, for those who like to descend and keep cool in the water!

Via ferratas and canyoning