Rock climbing tours and lessons in Ontario
Rattlesnake Point | One Axe Pursuits
The Niagara Escarpment of Southern Ontario provides the ultimate gateway to outdoor rock climbing with clean limestone walls and easy access.
Central Ontario climbing hotspots in Haliburton and Muskoka afford a tantalizing taste of the wild north with rugged granite faces and tall, windswept pine.
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.
Southern Ontario
Easy access to great climbing has fostered a dedicated community of climbers in Southern Ontario. Some climbing companies include:
Zen Climb
All of Zen Climb’s 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 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
Central Ontario
Head to the limestone and Canadian Shield granite cliffs in the Haliburton and Muskoka area. 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 in four locations.
Locations: Muskoka, Haliburton, Bancroft and The Blue Mountains
Liv Outside
Stop by Liv Outside for climbing gear rental 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 climbing experience on the natural rock wall at Haliburton Forest.
Location: 1095 Redkenn Road, Haliburton
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario operates on a different 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 lessons led by instructors certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides.
Location:
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
Natural climbing walls 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 Company 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: 44 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie
ARC Climbing and Yoga
From late May to early September, bring your harness, helmet and shoes and join ARC Climbing and Yoga for pop-up outdoor climbs at Timbrewolf.
For other climbing opportunities in Sudbury, consult Climb Sudbury for guides, maps and directions.
Location: Timberwolf, Garson
Last updated: October 22, 2024