the dutch way to climb

A guide for international climbers

Anyone who thinks the Netherlands is too flat for climbing is mistaken. Across the country, you’ll find more than 35 climbing centres, ranging from impressive top-rope walls to modern bouldering gyms and challenging lead climbing facilities. The Dutch climbing scene is surprisingly active and continues to grow every year.

If you’ve visited both countries—the climbing gyms of the Netherlands and the rocks of the United Kingdom—you’ve probably noticed: climbing grades can differ quite a bit depending on where you are. But how does it actually work? In this blog post, we’ll explore the systems used in both countries, so you won’t be caught off guard when crossing borders.

Background: How Did Climbing Grades Originate?

In the past, routes were mainly described with vague terms like “easy,” “moderate,” or “difficult”—very subjective and dependent on who you spoke to. As climbing became more popular and technical, the need for a standardized system grew. This way, everyone could speak the same language and know better what to expect.

• 1894, Austria: Fritz Benesch introduced the first official grading system: the Benesch scale, with seven levels.

• 1923, Germany: Willo Welzenbach refined the scale, resulting in the Welzenbach system.

• 1967, UIAA: The system evolved into the UIAA scale, recognizable by Roman numerals and plus or minus signs for extra nuance.

• 1930s, America: The Sierra Club developed the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), starting with a scale from walking (class 1) to technical rock climbing (class 5). As levels increased, decimal points and letter grades were added, like 5.10a or 5.10b. Today, the system extends above 5.15.

• 1950s-60s, France: The French grading system arose: a continuous scale with numbers and letters (e.g., 5a, 6b, 7c) and, for bouldering, the Fontainebleau scale, from 1 up to around 7B.

Worldwide, countless systems have developed, such as the British Trad Grade, the V-scale for bouldering, and more. Every system reflects the local climbing culture and discipline.

Although there may be variations, the universal aim is to educate climbers about potential challenges and risks, ultimately helping to ensure that climbing is both safer and more enjoyable for all.

Why Do Climbing Grades Exist?

Climbing grades form a universal language within the climbing community. They show the difficulty level of a route and help climbers determine whether a climb suits their skills and experience. Thanks to grades, you can choose suitable routes, track your personal progress, and compare achievements with others. Grades provide clarity about technical challenges, physical demands, and sometimes the risks of a route. By knowing the level in advance, you can prepare optimally and avoid unpleasant surprises. The system makes it possible to compare routes worldwide, enhancing both enjoyment and safety—for beginners and advanced climbers alike.

• Clarity: Grades give insight into technical challenges, physical demands, and sometimes the risks of a route.

• Preparation: Knowing a grade beforehand helps you avoid unpleasant surprises and plan accordingly.

• Global comparison: Routes can be compared internationally, making it possible to track progress and share experiences with climbers everywhere.

Climbing Grades in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, climbers mainly use the French grading system. For bouldering, that's the Fontainebleau scale: think 6A, 7B, and so on. Sport climbing routes receive a French number-letter combination, such as 6c+ or 7a. This system is clear and widely used throughout Europe, making it easy to compare routes between countries.

The English System

England takes a different approach. For bouldering, they mostly use the V-scale (V0, V1, V5, etc.). Traditional climbing uses the British Trad Grade: a combination of an “adjectival grade” (like Severe, Hard Severe, E1) and a technical number-letter code (4a, 5b, 6a). This indicates not only the physical difficulty but also how dangerous, long, or complex a route is.

Conclusion

Dutch climbers rely on the French system, while English climbers use the V-scale and their own trad combination. The English system can be tricky for those unfamiliar with it, but offers a lot of nuance. Heading abroad for climbing? Learn both systems—then you'll always know what to expect!