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Bouldering London

The simplest way to start climbing
at The Reach climbing wall, South London

What is Bouldering?

Bouldering is climbing without ropes or harnesses
The sport offers a progression of graded climbs from complete beginner to Olympic Champions.
  • Named after the practice of climbing on large boulders — but here at The Reach, London, it is all indoors and uses purpose-built structures
  • You climb shorter walls above thick mats
  • You can do it by yourself
  • You don't need any special equipment — so it is the simplest way to get into climbing
Adults can register for unsupervised bouldering after watching a short safety video:

Frequently Asked Questions

two children holding a rope at the foot of an indoor climbing wall on a childrens climbing session

Where to go bouldering in London?

The Reach Climbing Wall in Woolwich, South London is the ideal place to be introduced to all aspects of climbing.

Across our 4 bouldering areas, you will find over 300+ boulder routes for all ages and abilities.

Our Facilities and how to find us
child climbing, seen from above

Is bouldering fun for beginners?

Bouldering is not only fun, but addictive!

The bouldering grading system we use ensures beginners of all abilities can be mentally and physically tested through a series of progressively challenging 'problems'.

Our experienced route setters understand how the body works and by working their way through the graded climbs, new boulderers will become amazed at their own progress as their bodies quickly become used to new ways of movement up a vertical wall.

How Do I Start Bouldering Today?
two children climbing a boulder in a climbing centre

Am I too old to start bouldering?

Climbing is a sport for life. Climbers of any age can try all styles of climbing, be it Bouldering, Roped Climbing or the Auto-Belay Machines.

Bouldering is often seen as more physical challenge over a shorter distance of climbing moves and when we fall off... we hit the mat! Age isn't a deciding factor though your tolerance for risk and preferred style of climbing might be. Some may prefer to fall in a harness and be caught by a rope, others will fall in love with hitting that mat time and time again.

The age old question; "Are you a rope climber or a boulderer?" — here at The Reach we say... Why not both?

Check out our options for beginners
two children: one climbing, one belaying; both wearing helmets

Can you get fit from just bouldering?

The enjoyment of finding your own challenging boulder route to "project" will bring you back time and time again. As a side effect... technical mastery of your body, physical prowess & mental fitness. In other words. Yes.

*To project a route: "to fall off a route many, many times until you have unlocked the technical know-how, the physical prowess and the mental mastery to finally reach that last hold in a sequence."

Check some other Bouldering London FAQ