Kentucky · Rock climbing · Irvine

Cathedral Domain Climbing Area (CDCA)

Cathedral Domain Climbing Area (CDCA) in Kentucky has 17 sport climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades.

17 routes
5.8 – 5.12a/b
Sport

Is Cathedral Domain Climbing Area (CDCA) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Cathedral Domain Climbing Area (CDCA), so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Cathedral Domain Climbing Area (CDCA)

Best months: August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    42° / 24°

    13 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 27°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    57° / 34°

    15 wet

  4. Apr

    68° / 44°

    15 wet

  5. May

    75° / 53°

    15 wet

  6. Jun

    82° / 61°

    14 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 65°

    14 wet

  8. Aug

    84° / 64°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    79° / 57°

    10 wet

  10. Oct

    69° / 44°

    12 wet

  11. Nov

    57° / 35°

    12 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 28°

    13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Beattyville 4n, KY, 4.2 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Cathedral Domain Climbing Area (CDCA) is a sport climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. It sits among several other climbing areas, with East Coast Crag, Light House Crag and Buzzards Roost all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all sport, and the routes range from 5.8 to 5.12a/b, with the median grade around 5.10b/c. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Beattyville show May highs around 75°F and September highs near 79°F, with October cooling to about 69°F. The closest trails are Pine Mesa Trail, about 0.2 mile away, and Ridge Trail, about 0.3 mile away. Lago Linda Hideaway campground is roughly 2.9 miles off, and Station Camp Creek offers paddling about 8.4 miles away.

Routes (17)

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