Places We Climb
Greater Boston Climbing has a rich history many fantastic places to climb and learn! We are currently working to add areas to this map. We include some notes and links to the Mountain Project page for each area (external). Contact us for information if a climbing area you want to visit isn’t on this list or you want to discuss which area best suits your goals.
Chapel Ledge - Ashfield, MA
College Rock - Hopkinton, MA
Crow Hill - Princeton, MA
Den Rock - Lawrence, MA
Hammond Pond - Newton, MA
Middlesex Fells Reservation - Malden, MA
Mormon Hollow - Wendell, MA
Quincy Quarries Reservation - Quincy, MA
Red Rock Conservation Area - Gloucester, MA
The Sanctuary - Wendell, MA
Sunbowl - Sunderland, MA
Waitt’s Mount - Malden, MA (COMING SOON)
College Rock
College Rock is a fantastic small crag located in Hopkinton, MA about 40 min south-west of Boston. The cliff here is a medium height, with walls up to 40 ft tall. The climbing at College Rock is mostly face climbing (the style of climbing you most-commonly find in the gym) as well as some fun short chimneys. We recommend college rock for anyone that is looking for a challenge or wants to learn more-complex natural anchor set ups, as this crag is completely un-bolted. A great location for groups!
Public Transportation: Southborough MBTA Station (5.6 Miles from climbing area)
Parking Location: 23 College St, Hopkinton, MA 01748 The parking for this area is somewhat small. There is additional parking on the other side of the park. with a slightly longer approach.
Accessibility: The climbing is accessed by a wide dirt path about 100-200 feet from the parking area. No restrooms present.
Booking Window: College Rock is able to be booked any time.
Route Info: Mountain Project
Crow Hill
When you hit the weather right, Crow Hill is the ultimate climbing area near Boston. This crag features some walls over 100 feet tall. The climbs here range every grade and style of climbing that you could want, with a particular focus on crack and face climbs in the 5.8-5.10 range. Anchors are either very well bolted or natural anchors. Many of it’s routes can be lead on traditional gear. This combo makes Crow Hill a fantastic place to learn most styles of climbing. Crow Hill even features some moderate 2-pitch climbs.
Conditions at Crow Hill are typically damp during the early spring and after a good rain. Because of this, the best times to visit Crow Hill are May - October. Crow Hill is located in Leominster, which is about 40min-1hr drive from Boston. If you can visit in the fall this place is amazing!
Public Transportation: Wachusett MBTA Station MBTA 2.9 Miles from Parking Location via Fitchburg Commuter Rail
Parking Location: Leominster State Forest, Rt. 31 Princeton, MA 01541
Accessibility: The climbing area is accessed by hiking about .75 mile on a steep gravel road or single track hiking trail. There are picnic tables on the left side of the cliff. No restrooms.
Booking Window: Crow Hill is a Mass DCR property and requires 2 weeks minimum notice for us to obtain permits.
Route Information: Mountain Project
Den Rock Park
Den Rock Park is a small Top Rope and Traditional Climbing area on the Lawrence / Andover, MA line. It is fantastic for groups and beginners boasting a short approach, lots of moderate climbing and a nice staging area. This crag is also a good chose for those looking to get a lot of technical practice with bolted top rope anchors or self rescue as the crag offers top access and good practice terrain with minimal fuss. The routes average about 30ft tall and range from 5.5-5.10+. The rock here is very grippy and rough on the skin. Den rock typically dries out quickly after a rain and is pretty climbable even when wet! Kids love exploring the “Den” boulder caves.
Public Transportation: Andover MBTA Station (2 Miles to Den Rock Park)
Parking Location: Winthrop Ave, Lawrence, MA 01840
Accessibility: Den Rock cliff is about 300 foot walk on dirt road and trail from the Parking Area. Cliff base has many uneven surfaces. Restrooms available across the street at shopping center.
Booking Window: Den Rock is able to be booked at any time.
Route Information: Mountain Project
Hammond Pond
Hammond Pond is a small crag about 20 min West of Boston, located in Chestnut Hill. The rock here is a conglomerate material that is fun and unique to most other outdoor crags. The rock here is also ideal for learning a style known as crack climbing, which can make for a fun day of trying new movement. This is also a fantastic crag to try if you want something available via public transit.
Hammond Pond is accessible via the ‘Chestnut Hill’ stop via the ‘Riverside’ green line on the T. The trailhead is located in the Chestnut Hill Mall parking lot, and it is marked on google as ‘Hammond Pond Trail - Parking’.
Public Transportation: Chestnut Hill MBTA Station (0.2 Miles from climbing area)
Parking Location: Hammond Pond Trail Parking, Hammond Pond Pkwy, Newton, MA 02168
Accessibility: The main cliff is about 200 feet away from the parking lot via a wide flat gravel trail. Restrooms are not available at the parking area.
Booking Window: Hammond Pond is a Mass DCR property and requires 2 weeks minimum notice for us to obtain permits.
Route Information: Mountain Project
Quincy Quarries
Quincy Quarries is a Boston classic climbing area. The quarries feature walls up to 80 ft. tall as well as a very wide range of difficulties, with consistent routes ranging 5.3-5.11. The climbs have a mix of bolted and natural and trad anchors. The routes are mostly top rope and Traditional. The grades were often established before spray paint came to the quarries, so you will find the holds and feet particularly slick, which adds a grade to the climbing. Overall, this crag features a variety of climbing, amazing views, and is one of the closest crags to reach by car (only 20 min South of downtown Boston).
Public Transportation: Quincy Center MBTA (2.7 Miles from Climbing Area)
Parking Location: Ricciuti Dr, Quincy, MA 02169
Accessibility: Climbing is accessed by paved, dirt path, with some areas being more difficult to access than others. There are a few areas within 500ft or so from the parking lot. Portable restrooms are sometimes available, plan ahead for none.
Booking Window: Quincy Quarries is a Mass DCR property and requires 2 weeks minimum notice for us to obtain permits.
Route Info: Mountain Project
Red Rocks Conservation Area
Red Rocks is, in our opinion, the best beginner crag anywhere near Boston. The routes here are very moderate on good-quality rock. The top is well-bolted, which is ideal for learning to set your own ropes, and this area is the fastest-drying crag in the Greater Boston Area. This combination makes Red Rock fun and reliable for introductory outdoor trips. This crag is located about 40 min North-East of Boston.
Public Transportation: West Gloucester MBTA Station (1.3 Miles to Parking Area)
Parking Location: Red Rocks Trailhead, Gloucester, MA 01930 The parking will be right next to the underpass off the highway exit.
Accessibility: The hike in to the climbing area from the parking lot is about .25-.5 miles on single track trails, with roots, rocks and generally uneven forested surfaces. No restrooms.
Booking Window: Red Rocks is able to be booked at any time.
Route information: Mountain Project