Rock Skills: from your first rope to leading trad

• What it is: Four Mountain Training courses that turn you into an independent rock climber.
• What you need first: Nothing for the Introduction course (minimum age 10). Each later course asks for logged climbs and belays (see below).
• Cost: Set by each provider. A coached outdoor intro climb is typically £55 to £150 per person in the UK.
• What's next: Climbing Wall Instructor (climbing track)

Real rock is a different game from the wall. It's cold under your fingertips, it smells of moss and the view behind you is huge. These courses get you there properly.

The four steps

• Introduction (1 day, age 10+): harness on, tie in, belay, abseil and move on real rock. You don't need any experience.
• Intermediate (2 days, age 12+): protection, anchors, holding falls, lowering and seconding. You'll need the Introduction course, or 10 routes climbed and 10 belays.
• Learn to Lead Sport Climbs (2 days, age 14+): clipping bolts, checking fixed gear and threading the lower-off. You'll need 20 routes climbed and 20 belays.
• Learn to Lead Trad Climbs (2 days, age 14+): carrying, choosing and placing your own gear, and building anchors. You'll need 20 belays plus 20 climbs seconded at VDiff or above, or 20 sport leads.

All four run on single-pitch crags across the UK and Ireland.

Source: Skills courses, Mountain Training, checked October 2026.

Governing body: British Mountaineering Council (BMC) for England and Wales. Leader and instructor awards come from Mountain Training, and coasteering standards come from the National Coasteering Charter, so these are the official places to find out more.

Typical prices, checked October 2026. The club or coach sets and bills the price.

The club map lists some of the UK clubs for this sport. It is a starting point, so check with the club before you travel. To have a coach found for you, use the enquiry form.