Tremadog

North Wales climbing that stays dry, Tremadog is a pair of tree-fringed dolerite crags rising above the coastal plain near Porthmadog, prized as the region's reliable all-weather venue for those days when the higher mountains are soaked in cloud and rain.

The rock is dolerite, rough and sound, and the climbing is traditional multi-pitch on steep walls and arêtes up to around sixty metres, protected by leader-placed gear. Grades cover the full British range from gentle Diffs and Severes ideal for learning to hard, technical Extremes, with an exceptional collection of mid-grade classics that make the crags a favourite for all-round trad climbers. The low altitude and tree shelter help the rock dry quickly after showers, which is much of the point.

The setting is lush and low-lying: woodland below the cliffs, views over the estuary and the Snowdonia peaks beyond, and easy access from the road with a famous climbers' cafe at the base that has fuelled generations of visitors. The crags catch afternoon sun and offer a welcome, sheltered contrast to the exposed mountain venues nearby.

Conditions are good much of the year, with spring to autumn best but the quick-drying rock climbable on many winter days too; it simply needs a dry spell rather than a heatwave. Porthmadog and the surrounding villages provide lodging, shops and the scenic Ffestiniog Railway. Tremadog is the dependable heart of North Welsh trad climbing, the place everyone heads to when the forecast turns against the hills.