Days Out NI
Climbing Newcastle

Hotrock Climbing Wall (Tollymore NOC)

Indoor lead and bouldering on the edge of the Mournes, induction and membership for all users

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Open year roundIndoor — climbs in any weather
Check pricesBook or register first
NewcastleIndoor wall
Get directionsOfficial website
A couple of hoursHow long
Check pricesCost
Indoor wallType
All abilitiesBest for
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Hotrock Climbing Wall (Tollymore NOC) — Indoor lead and bouldering on the edge of the Mournes, induction and membership for all users.

  • The climbing: Indoor roped (lead, bottom-rope and auto-belay) plus separate bouldering.
  • Grades: Over 40 lead routes from easy slabs to technical, strenuous overhangs (grades not individually confirmed).
  • Gear: Shoes and harness available to hire.
  • Booking: Individual walk-ins permitted for pay-and-climb; groups and instructed sessions must be pre-booked via Reception.
  • Cost: Pay per visit or annual membership, with reduced rates for under-18s, students, OAPs, unemployed and Mountaineering Ireland members; shoe, harness and gear-set hire charged separately. Prices change, so check current rates with the venue.
Plan your visit

What you'll climb

The lead wall is 9.5m high and 11m wide with over 40 routes, from easier slab lines up through more technical and strenuous climbing. Four auto-belay devices let you climb roped on your own once you're inducted. The separate bouldering area is 4.5m high and 10m wide with crash matting to soften falls. Surfaces are textured fibreglass with rock features plus bolt-on holds. Inductions cover whichever you want to do: bouldering only, bottom-rope and auto-belay, or lead climbing.

Indoor lead + bouldering 9.5m lead wall, 40+ routes 4 auto-belays Induction required Shoe & harness hire On the edge of the Mournes
Good to know before you go:

Tollymore runs instructed Hotrock sessions, adult climbing evenings, junior activity and rock-climbing courses through the year, plus the wall is used for skills training. Check their own pages for current dates, prices and any seasonal opening changes before travelling.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👕Comfy clothes you can move inNothing restrictive — you want to reach, step high and bend.
  • 📱A booking, or a planMost walls want you registered or booked in; crags want your route picked and someone told.
  • 💧WaterClimbing is thirsty work, and out on the rock there is nowhere to buy any.
  • ✅An honest check of your gradeBe straight about your experience — pick a level you will enjoy rather than survive.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
Indoor roped (lead, bottom-rope and auto-belay) plus separate bouldering
Minimum age
No upper age limit; under-14s must be accompanied by an adult wall user, and under-18s complete an Independent Wall User Test before climbing independently
Induction / registration
Membership form and induction required for all new users before climbing; under-18s climbing independently need an Independent Wall User Test (arrange in advance)
Grade range
Over 40 lead routes from easy slabs to technical, strenuous overhangs (grades not individually confirmed)
Gear
Shoes and harness available to hire
Cost
Pay per visit or annual membership, with reduced rates for under-18s, students, OAPs, unemployed and Mountaineering Ireland members; shoe, harness and gear-set hire charged separately. Prices change, so check current rates with the venue
Booking
Individual walk-ins permitted for pay-and-climb; groups and instructed sessions must be pre-booked via Reception
Also on site
Part of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre; close to Tollymore Forest Park and the Mourne Mountains
How long to allow
A couple of hours for a climbing session, longer if combining with the forest park or hills
Address
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, 32 Hilltown Road, Bryansford, Newcastle BT33 0PZ
Questions

Before you go

How much does it cost?
Pay per visit or annual membership, with reduced rates for under-18s, students, OAPs, unemployed and Mountaineering Ireland members; shoe, harness and gear-set hire charged separately. Prices change, so check current rates with the venue
Do I need to book?
Individual walk-ins permitted for pay-and-climb; groups and instructed sessions must be pre-booked via Reception
What ages is it for?
No upper age limit; under-14s must be accompanied by an adult wall user, and under-18s complete an Independent Wall User Test before climbing independently
Do I need an induction first?
Membership form and induction required for all new users before climbing; under-18s climbing independently need an Independent Wall User Test (arrange in advance)
What gear do I need?
Shoes and harness available to hire
Getting there

Hotrock Climbing Wall (Tollymore NOC) is at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, 32 Hilltown Road, Bryansford, Newcastle BT33 0PZ. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around NewcastleSee what else is close by More climbing across NIIndoor walls, bouldering and the big outdoor crags
The story

About the venue

Hotrock Climbing Wall is owned by Mountaineering Ireland and managed at and situated within Tollymore National Outdoor Centre in the heart of the Mournes in County Down. It's the representative body's wall, staffed by qualified instructors, and serves both casual climbers and people training for the hills on the doorstep.