There are more than seven locations to climb in Alabama, but if you want the best the Heart of Dixie has to offer, then you’ll want to check out these seven spots:

1. Sandrock is the best place in Alabama to find a variety of sport routes, both bolted and traditional. Sandstone faces range from 30 to 120 feet tall, offering famous routes such as Comfortably Numb (5.9) and Dreamscape (5.12). Routes of all difficulties, from 5.6 to 5.13 await climbers of all skill levels. There is even some bouldering for those rope-shy climbers.

2. Not far down the road from Sandrock, Little River Canyon provides some steep overhanging routes for the weathered climber.   However, be prepared to work harder getting your gear down from those overhung pitches than you do climbing these routes. The challenging routes at the canyon are still worth the climb if you’ve never given them a try.

3. Steele is a great place to do some traditional climbing. I always make the trip to Steele when I want to do some crack climbing.  Climbers beware, however, as the old school ratings tend to be slightly sandbagged. Difficult routes are rated up to 5.13, and climbers of all skill levels are sure to be pleased with the selection of routes.

4. Horse Pens 40 is a great place to catch the Triple Crown bouldering series as it passes through each climbing season and is home to the best slopers in the South. If HP40’s smooth, chalky faces don’t leave your palms raw, none will.

5. Moss Rock Preserve is the best place in the Birmingham area to find classic bouldering routes. There is a little bit of everything at Moss Rock, from slopers to crimps and slab to overhung problems.

6. Palisades Park provides many beautiful top-rope routes, and this is a great site for those who are just learning to climb routes.  Most of the routes can also be climbed with traditional protection.

7. The historical Jamestown Climbing Preserve provides nearly a mile of lofty sandstone cliff line owned by the Southeastern Climbing Coalition. Climbers can expect to find several technical climbs that require good balance and strong crimping skills.

~ Kaleb Estes

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