Scrambling is an incredibly diverse activity; at the lower levels, almost anyone can do it with little to no experience or equipment. But as you get to grade 3, the lines between scrambling and rock climbing become blurred. Ridges become steeper, hand holds smaller, and exposure greater. With the risks growing, surely you should look at grade 3 scrambling courses before trying it?
After all, the most important thing in life is health. Why would you place bigger risks than needed by rushing into a dangerous activity unprepared and unequipped? While grade 3 scrambling courses aren’t cheap, unless you have experience rock climbing, you should be doing one of these courses before giving the toughest scrambles in the UK a try.
The best grade 3 scrambling courses in the UK
Below, I’ll put an incredible course for each of the major mountain ranges in the UK that have grade 3 scrambles. The majority of them are upwards of 2 days of really quite intense learning, but for an intense hobby, what else would you expect?
Snowdonia grade 3 scrambling course
Company name: Beyond the Edge
Cost: £235 per person.
Duration: 2 days
Coach-student ratio: 1-2
What will I be doing?
During this intensive two-day course, you’ll develop your skills and confidence when it comes to tacking some of the more intense scrambles in the UK. You’ll move over some of the most iconic and challenging terrain south of the Scottish Highlands. Particular emphasis will be placed on planning according to your skill level and route finding.
In my opinion, the greatest strength of this course is the excellent emphasis that they place on your safety, not just during the two-day course but going forward for the rest of your life. They really focus on how to plan and continually evaluate while ascending the mountain.
What skills will I learn?
- The art of route-finding
- Basic rope work
- How to navigate to and away from your chosen route
- How to choose a route appropriate to your skill level
- Safe and efficient movement on the route
- Abseiling and retreating from routes
What routes could I take on the course?
Snowdonia has some truly incredible grade 3 scrambles, and this course will give you a chance to conquer some of the most iconic. With a particular focus on the Ogwen Valley (by far my favourite area of Snowdonia), you will have your nerve tested and boundaries pushed, all while being supervised by some true mountaineering experts.
Chasm face (Glyder Fach)
A technical grade 3 route that combines exposed scrambling with a touch of caving.
Dolmen Ridge (Glyder Fach)
Another grade 3 scrambling route on Glyder Fac, although this one comes without the joy of a touch of scrambling.
Clogwyn and Person Arete
A Grade 2/3, three-star route that encompasses excellent scrambling and a traverse of Crib Coch on the descent back into Llanberis Pass.
Book here: https://www.beyondtheedge.co.uk/advanced-scrambling/.
Lake District grade 3 scrambling course
Company name: RocknRidge
Cost: £190 per person.
Duration: 2 days
Coach-student ratio: 1-2
What will I be doing?
RocknRidge has really tailored this course towards people who are ready to progress to the next level and push themselves both mentally and physically. Given that you’re likely to be taking on some of the more challenging routes in England, you must have at least some experience on grade 1 scrambles under your belt. The most important thing, though, is that you have a head for heights and that you’re comfortable with exposure.
As a result of some of the tough terrain that you’ll be taking on, there will be a particular focus on using safety aids like rope to move across terrain. You’ll really need a solid understanding of this kit before you move past grade 3 scrambling, so I can’t think of a better place to get your start.
What skills will I learn?
- Kit needed
- Grades: how do they differ?
- Guidebook knowledge
- Finding the route
- When do I need a rope?
- Intro to rope work and safeguarding each other
- Technique used when scrambling: Mountain Leader rope work
- Mountain knowledge and scrambling know-how
- Direct or in-direct belays and anchors
What routes could I take on the course?
Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday Crag
An amazing route that takes you high up the side of St. Sunday Crag, offering valuable experience in airy scrambling and a fantastic view of Striding Edge.
Cam Crag Ridge
One of the best scrambles in the Lake District, offering everything you could want from a scrambling route. Incredible views, solid rock, and really interesting ascent and descent routes.
Book here: https://www.rocknridge.co.uk/scrambling-courses/.
Scotland grade 3 scrambling course
Company name: Scottish Rock and Water
Cost: From £310
Duration: 2 days
Coach-student ratio: 1-2
What will I be doing?
This course looks at the fundamental skills needed to grow and excel on the mountain. Not only that, it will teach you how to keep you and your climbing partner safe at all times. The experts that will be coaching you will focus on rope work, stance management, and how to transition between pitching and moving together.
As this is in the Scottish Highlands, the routes you will be taking are considerably more technical and exposed than the equivalents south of the border. I strongly recommend you have some experience with indoor rock climbing or some of the more technical grade 2 scrambles in England or Wales.
What skills will I learn?
- Core skills to keep you and your partner safe on touch scrambles
- Movement coaching
- Route-finding skills, both before and during a climb
- How to safeguard each other while using a rope
- How to use a framework to assess risk and select the appropriate technique for the terrain
- How and when to construct belays
What routes could I take on the course?
Aonach Eagach
Unquestionably one of the UK’s most iconic scrambling routes, brilliant rock and varied routes make this a truly special mountain to conquer. But the length of the ridge and its exposure make it really challenging.
Cullin Ridge
The holy grail of British scrambling routes is a sustained and challenging route that’s often completely understated online. This is a truly technical scramble that really pushes the boundaries of what a scramble is; it’s at the top of my list, and it should be for you too.
