Access
Waikato
Bayley Road

Bayley Road crag reopens!

ACAT is thrilled to announce that Roadside and River Wall at Bayleys will reopen to climbers from Saturday 14 December 2024, after seven years of closure. 

Bayley Road is a high-quality ignimbrite crag in the Wharepapa South region. Its accessibility and grade range make it well suited to beginner and intermediate climbers and groups. 

Wide angle view of Bayley Road ignimbrite rock crag topped by pine trees with climbers at base

River Wall at Bayley Road crag. Photo: Ilgar Isayev.

The land recently changed hands and ACAT has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the new owners, Hingaia Angus.

ACAT’s GM Edwin Sheppard says: “Many thanks to the landowners for their goodwill and community spirit in inviting climbers onto their property. I was deeply involved in trying to save access to Bayleys when it was closed in 2017, and it’s incredible to have it reopening after all these years.”

Thanks also to local volunteer Jonno Rau for his pivotal role in this outcome. 

Key access information 

There will be a brief opening ceremony at the crag at 10.30am on Saturday, 14 December. Please aim to be there at that time if you are visiting on Saturday. No registration is needed.  

The first few months will be an unofficial trial period, and any issues could jeopardise access. Key points:

  • Access is only permitted to Roadside and River Wall. Other parts of the farm, including Monday Wall and New Wall, remain CLOSED.  
  • Public access may temporarily be closed for farm operations. ACAT has installed a sign at the entrance with an Open/Closed placard. If it is set to Closed, do not enter.  
  • There is no toilet on site or anywhere nearby, so please go before you arrive! 
  • Leave gates as you find them and do not block any gates.  
  • No dogs, camping, fires, or litter. 

Guides can be found at ClimbNZ and theCrag.

Bolts, anchors, and lichen 

The crag has been closed for seven years and will require some community effort to get it shipshape. Bring a brush.

Many of the bolts and anchors have been inspected by volunteers in recent weeks. There is some older, galvanised equipment with surface rust in places.  

No significant safety risks have been identified to date, but it is up to you to make your own assessment of the equipment on any routes you climb and decide whether to trust it. Any safety hazards identified should be noted on the online guides and ultimately replaced. 

Please give back 

ACAT has had some great wins recently and we need your support if we are going to keep doing this work. If you’re happy that Bayleys is reopening, please show your support with a monthly or annual donation to ACAT.