North Carolina · Rock climbing · Balsam Grove

Sun Wall

Sun Wall in North Carolina has 22 climbing routes across 13 grades.

Sun WallPhoto: Osajus Photography, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
22 routes
5.9 – 5.12d
Trad · Mixed

Is Sun Wall open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in North Carolina. It doesn't name Sun Wall, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in North Carolina. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Sun Wall

Best months: March–May and September–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

    49° / 25°

    10 wet · 1 snow

  2. Feb

    53° / 27°

    10 wet · 1 snow

  3. Mar

    60° / 33°

    12 wet

  4. Apr

    69° / 41°

    11 wet

  5. May

    75° / 50°

    12 wet

  6. Jun

    81° / 58°

    14 wet

  7. Jul

    83° / 62°

    15 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 62°

    14 wet

  9. Sep

    77° / 55°

    10 wet

  10. Oct

    69° / 43°

    9 wet

  11. Nov

    59° / 32°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    51° / 28°

    10 wet · 1 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Brevard, NC, 6.2 mi away at 2,175 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Sun Wall is a climbing area in the Pisgah Ranger District of the National Forests in North Carolina, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Looking Glass Boulders and the Nose Area each about 0.1 mile away. The area has 22 routes, mostly traditional, with grades ranging from 5.9 to 5.12d. Among them are Psychedelic Delusions of The Digital Man at 5.9, Way Rad at 5.10d and Prey at 5.12d. Mixed climbing is also an option, with three routes in that style. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Brevard run to highs around 75°F in May and 77°F in September, while July and August average highs in the low 80s. That station sits well below the wall, so temperatures up high run cooler. Headwater Road and 475B, both mountain biking routes, are about half a mile away. Upper Cove Creek Roadside Campsites are about 1.1 miles off, and the Davidson River, a paddling route, is about 1.5 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Looking Glass BouldersPhoto: Osajus Photography, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Looking Glass Boulders

~0 min drive

Looking Glass Boulders in North Carolina has 4 bouldering routes.

Nose AreaPhoto: ninepennies, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Nose Area

~0 min drive

Nose Area in North Carolina has 12 climbing routes across 11 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

South SidePhoto: jasonferrell, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

South Side

~0 min drive

South Side in North Carolina has 28 climbing routes with mixed and trad styles.

Northside BouldersPhoto: ninepennies, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Northside Boulders

~0 min drive

Northside Boulders in North Carolina has 18 bouldering routes.

North SidePhoto: ninepennies, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North Side

~1 min drive

North Side in North Carolina has 40 climbing routes across 24 grades, offering mixed and traditional styles.

Hidden WallPhoto: jasonferrell, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hidden Wall

~1 min drive

Hidden Wall is a North Carolina climbing crag with 11 routes.

PumpkintownPhoto: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pumpkintown

~31 min drive

Pumpkintown in South Carolina has 4 sport climbing routes with 3 difficulty grades.

Main Wall Left of Center ButtressPhoto: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Main Wall Left of Center Buttress

~31 min drive

Main Wall Left of Center Buttress in South Carolina has 14 climbing routes.

Knobtopia Wall (Main Wall right of Center Buttress)Photo: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Knobtopia Wall (Main Wall right of Center Buttress)

~32 min drive

Knobtopia Wall (Main Wall right of Center Buttress) is a climbing area in South Carolina with 6 routes.

East Face/Guides Wall  (Right Side)Photo: jasonferrell, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

East Face/Guides Wall (Right Side)

~1 min drive

6 traditional climbing routes on East Face/Guides Wall right side, North Carolina.