Best outdoor rock climbing experiences in Ontario
Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
Southern Ontario’s monolithic Niagara Escarpment is recognized as a United Nations Biosphere Reserve for its natural landscapes and rich biodiversity. It’s also the ultimate gateway to outdoor rock climbing with clean limestone walls and easy access.
Central Ontario climbing hotspots in Haliburton, Bancroft and Muskoka feature hard-rock Canadian Shield crags with rugged granite faces and tall windswept pine affording tantalizing tastes of the wild north.
In Northern Ontario, you’ll discover uncharted routes and opportunities for guided tours and lessons in the wilderness that allow even beginners to experience the ultimate rock climbing adventure.
Slip into a pair of climbing shoes, get harnessed up and explore these Ontario rock-climbing destinations and adventures.
Southern Ontario
Easy access to great climbing has fostered a dedicated community of climbers in Southern Ontario, especially around the Niagara Escarpment.
Climbing companies include:
Zen Climb
Zen Climb rock climbing courses for beginners and aspiring climbers are held at Milton’s Rattlesnake Point. In addition to the full-day course, watch for rock-climbing and rappelling events.
Location: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton
One Axe Pursuits
One Axe Pursuits provides beginner-friendly rock climbing lessons and tours in Elora and Milton.
Locations:
Victoria Park: Victoria Park, Elora
Rattlesnake Point: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton
On the Rocks Climbing
On the Rocks Climbing hosts lessons and tours at Rattlesnake Point, Metcalfe Rock, Calabogie and Kingston Mills from May to mid-October. Choose from half day, full day or weekend rock climbing excursions.
Locations:
Rattlesnake Point: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton
Metcalfe Rock: Metcalfe Rock, The Blue Mountains
Kingston Mills: Kingston Mills, Kingston
Guelph Grotto
Guelph Grotto offers outdoor climbing instruction for beginners and experienced climbers. Courses include top rope climbing, sport climbing and anchor building at crags in the Milton and Collingwood areas. It also offers a course geared to indoor gym climbers looking to take their skills outside.
Locations:
Rattlesnake Point: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton
Metcalfe Rock: Metcalfe Rock, The Blue Mountains
Central Ontario
The varied Canadian Shield granite cliffs of the Haliburton and Muskoka areas are hotbeds for Central Ontario climbing. Across the region, you’ll find great crags on the limestone formations of The Blue Mountains to Parry Sound’s polished granite, east to soaring outcrops in Bancroft and Madawaska.
Sign up for a course or guided tour with one of these Central Ontario climbing companies:
Muskoka Mountainworks
Muskoka Mountainworks offers half- and full-day guided tours for beginners, intermediates and advanced rock climbers across Central Ontario. Meet your expert guide at the climbing site, with 40 destinations from Parry Sound to Madawaska.
Locations:
Muskoka, Parry Sound, Haliburton, Bancroft, Madawaska and The Blue Mountains
Liv Outside
Stop by Liv Outside for climbing gear rental, great local knowledge and an outdoor climbing wall overlooking the Muskoka River.
Location: 271 Ecclestone Drive, Bracebridge
Yours Outdoors
Book a climbing course with Yours Outdoors for a fully guided outdoor climbing experience on the natural rock walls of the Haliburton Forest.
Location: 1095 Redkenn Road, Haliburto
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario operates on a grander scale for just about every type of outdoor adventure activity, including rock climbing. Find bigger climbs with more challenges and a greater variety of routes.
Embrace the adventure with one of these experienced companies:
Green Adventures
Based in Kenora, Green Adventures provides opportunities for new and beginner climbers to safely scale the ancient Canadian Shield rocks and see the area’s stunning lakes from a high vantage point.
More experienced climbers can consult the Kenora Rock Climbs guidebook for more than 450 climbs in nine locations around Kenora.
Location: 625 Lakeview Drive, Kenora
Outdoor Skills and Thrills
Outdoor Skills and Thrills offers rock climbing adventures for all ability levels and interests.
Book a beginner rock-climbing adventure between April and October, or for more advanced and adventurous climbers, ascend the rugged and majestic volcanic spire known as the Dorion Tower.
Locations: Several locations near Thunder Bay, including the Bluffs, Silver Harbour Conservation Area and Dorion Tower
Boulder Bear Climbing Centre
Boulder Bear Climbing Centre specializes in beginner and gym-to-rock lessons led by instructors certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
Locations:
The Bluffs: 690 Arundel Street, Thunder Bay
Silver Harbour: Silver Harbour Conservation Area, Shuniah
Pass Lake: Pass Lake, Thunder Bay
Superior Exploration, Adventure and Climbing
Epic outdoor rock climbs in the rugged Algoma Highlands north of Sault Ste. Marie have earned mysterious names, including Sumerian Slabs and Alien Wall. This area was largely unknown to climbers until Shawn Parent’s Superior Exploration, Adventure and Climbing pioneered routes up to 140 metres tall.
Based in Batchawana Bay, Parent offers guided tours and instruction for all levels of rock climbers including advanced techniques like multi-pitch climbing, which are essential skills on bigger rock walls.
Location: Batchawana Bay
ARC Climbing and Yoga
From late May to early September, bring your harness, helmet and shoes and join Sudbury’s ARC Climbing and Yoga for pop-up outdoor rock climbs at the Timberwolf crag in Garson.
For other climbing opportunities in Sudbury, consult Climb Sudbury for guides, maps and directions.
Location: Timberwolf, Garson
Last updated: April 7, 2025