The crag holds a wide range of grades and should offer some challenge for most climbers. Areas of the crag and Arncliff Slab in particular can suffer from washed down shaley deposits. Recent forestry clearing should improve conditions and open up its aspect.
Parking and Approach
The best approaches are from the Swainby - Osmotherley road. There is a small rough parking bay at NZ471001. Immediately above this is a bridleway / track rising north west before switching back south westerly for approximately 1km across the moor. Pass through two gates in close proximity towards trees. Time to this point approx 20mins. The approach now continues ahead and slightly right down through the trees. The path is steep and slippery and the crag lies to the left when descending.
There is alternative parking at SE467993 from where a footpath heads north westerly across the open Access land of Scarth Wood Moor to the top of the crag. Verge parking along the road is prohibited and regularly policed.
Approaches from below from the vicinity of Arncliff Hall are steep and forested and not recommended.
Group Advice
The approaches and descents at each end of the crag are steep and slippery and require caution. There is steep ground below much of the crag and traversing the base also needs care. Arncliff Slab holds some excellent easier routes but "topping out" can be problematic due to steep ground and loose shaley soil. The crag is not suitable for large instructional groups.