Montagu Rock Climbing

Montague is one of the meccas for rock climbing in South Africa, and climbers from all over the world find their way here when visiting South Africa on a climbing trip.  Montagu is renown as one of the best sport climbing areas in South Africa, but what is less well known is that it also has many trad routes as well.  The climbing is on excellent sandstone rock on many different crags located along the Keisie River, with routes across the whole grade range.

There are 602 bolted sport routes of all grades and styles, from single pitch to long multi-pitch routes on the huge and impressive walls of Cogman’s Buttress.  The climbing at Montagu is very varied and ranges from slabs and vertical walls to super-steep overhangs, with routes ranging from F3 to F8c+.  In addition, there are 109 trad routes, from single and double pitch routes to long committing routes on the huge Cogman’s Buttress, plus a 10-pitch adventure high up Keurkloof.  The grades of the trad routes ranges from UIAA 3 to 9.

Montagu's hard sandstone rock provides excellent friction for the feet along with positive handholds, such as pockets and crimps to cracks and chimneys.  Montagu caters for a wide variety of climbing from friendly slabs to challenging overhangs, reflecting the wide range of grades to be found here.

What climbing guidebook is available for Montagu?  The Montagu Rock Climbing Guidebook is the definitive guidebook covering all the sport and trad climbing found throughout the whole of the Montagu area.  It covers 602 sport routes and 109 trad routes across a wide range of grades.  Buy the Montagu Rock Climbing Guidebook from our shop.

When is the best time to climbing at Montagu?  Montagu has exceptional weather with very little rain, making Montagu an all year climbing venue.  The climbing is scattered across almost 60 different crags over quite a large area.  These crags face multiple directions, so the sun or shade can always be found as required. 

What gear is required for climbing at Montagu?  A 60m sport route will suffice for 99% of the sport routes at Montagu, with only a handful of routes over 30m and these are clearly marked in the guidebook.  For the trad routes a standard trad rock with a #4 cam, along with either single or double 60m ropes, depending upon the route.

Getting to Montagu and other activities.  Montagu is situated on the east side of the Langeberg Mountain range and is a 2 hours (180km) drive east of Cape Town.  Montagu is also famous for its hot mineral springs and excellent vineyards that are scattered throughout the area.  Montagu is also great for hiking and mountain biking.