Disclaimer#
This guide is for informational purposes only. The author does NOT encourage any illegal or dangerous activity. Always check local laws and regulations.
Introduction#
This is a continuation of our Climbing Guide series. In Part 1 we covered cranes, and now it’s time to move on to chimneys.
Chimneys are some of the most dramatic and challenging structures to climb in the urban climbing world. They stand above industrial sites or abandoned factories and they offer insane views, but also much higher risks. From loose rungs to sketchy no-cage climbs chimneys are deffinitely not for beginners.
This guide covers the basics: how to scout, prepare, and climb a chimney safely.
Essential safety tips#
Know your limits#
Probably the most important rule is: if you feel unwell or simply unsure about the climb, don't do it. Your mental state is the key - if you don't feel well, you'll make mistakes, and mistakes in climbing can cost you your life. If someone tries to persuade you otherwise, don't let them talk you into it - no climb is worth losing your life.
In terms of your physical condition, remember that chimneys can be brutally tall and and many have no platforms or stages to rest on. Running out of strength halfway up is one of the most dangerous things that can happen during your climb. You always have the option to turn back when you feel fatigued. Also, remember that reaching the top is only half of the challenge, so make sure you have enough strength to climb back down.
With these reccomendations in mind, if you're just starting out, it is a good idea to first try climbing smaller structures and work your way up.
Check the weather#
Rain, snow and high winds are all major hazards you should always avoid. They worsen your vision and affect your mobility. Strong wind is especially dangerous near the top because there are no obstacles to slow the wind down and the chimney is fully exposed. Also, keep in mind that simply low temperatures might cause troubles since metal ladders get icy easily.
Don’t go alone#
As with every urbex adventure, bring someone you can count on if things go south. Exploring is also much more fun with friends! (Don’t have urbex buddies? Join our Discord server.)
Prepare!#
Always have a backup plan - For example, if weather conditions change or security shows up. Read more about preparation below:
Preparation#
Just like with cranes, travel light. The higher you go, the more every extra weight matters.
Essentials#
- gloves with strong anti-slip grip (not winter gloves)
- dark clothes
- mask
- phone
Optional#
Same as with cranes, if you plan on climning a taller chimney it might be a good idea to bring some water for refreshment, glucose tablets or some small snack can also give you a quick energy boost.
Always dress for the weather conditions at the top of the chimney. Even though in the beginning you might feel perfectly fine climbing just in your shirt and shorts, the weather conditions change rapidly as you ascend. Very often (if the chimney type allows it) you will want to linger at the top for some time - take pictures, let your body relax and regain some strength or just enjoy the view. You might feel uncomfortable starting the climb in a hoodie and thick jeans when its the middle of july, but its 100% worth it in the long run. You deffinitely dont want to climb to the top full of adrenaline and pumped from the work, only for it to wear off and you find yourself unable to climb back down because you dont have the stamina left, freezing at the top of a chimney in a thin T-shirt.
Some chimneys offer a fairly unique experience - climbing from the inside. The inside is most likely gonna be pitch dark, so you should have a headlamp that's got enough juice to last the whole climb.
Similiar to cranes, a lot of chimneyes have a safety cage around the ladder. Therefore, if you plan on bringing a backpack, make sure you comfortably fit inside of the cage (usually, wearing the backpack on your chest does the trick).
Scouting a chimney#
Now unlike cranes, chimneys have a bit more variety to them which can make the scouting part a bit tricky. However, as to not make it complicated, we can separate the chimneys into 2 categories.
Old/Abandoned chimneys#
Pros#
The main advantage of an older chimney is that there’s usually little to no security. Still, you shouldn’t take this for granted - always do proper recon before committing to the climb. Even if the chimney itself is no longer in use, it might still be part of a factory complex or industrial area that does have active security.
Cons#
Older, abandoned chimneys come with a long list of structural risks that you should respect. The ladders are often heavily rusted, with rungs always at risk of snapping or losing their connection to the chimney. Altough there's no guaranteed way to determine whether the climb will be 100% safe, but there are certain red flags indicating the climb is too risky:
- Missing rungs
- Brick facade collapsing
Most of these chimneys don’t have a proper safety cage. Instead, you might find narrow metal hoops spaced every few meters. These metal rings don’t offer much protection and mostly just get in the way. Ladder cages/hoops are mostly not used anymore since modern standards have moved away from relying on them as a primary fall‑protection system. Nowadays, vertical rail connected to full‑body harness is mostly used.
In theory, you could use the hoops as an additional point of contact when resting (as mentioned in the crane guide), but given the overall condition of these structures, it’s usually not worth the risk.
Near the top, the ladder can end abruptly, and many of these old stacks don’t even have a platform to rest on. The upper sections are also the most structurally unstable, with a much higher chance of loose rungs or crumbling brickwork.
Newer/Functioning chimneys#
Pros#
The main advantage of newer, functioning chimneys is that they’re usually fairly well-maintained. Since they’re still in use, companies are required to keep the structure in decent condition, which generally means sturdier ladders and solid welds. While not all newer chimneys have a safety cages (they're being replaced by vertical rays nowadays), if they do, they are in a much better condition and usually provide a solid protection. You’ll also often find proper rest platforms or stages along the way, making the climb less physically draining.
Despite all of the above, not all of them are well maintained and theres still a chance of an accident happening if you let your guard down and give in to the false sense of confidence - you should always maintain 3 points of contact and keep your focus on safety as the #1 priority.
Overall, these chimneys offer a much more predictable and reliable ascent, at least in terms of structural safety.
Cons#
On the other hand, newer chimneys come with a completely different set of challenges - mainly in the form of security.
Unlike abandoned sites, these are active industrial structures, which means cameras are almost guaranteed, and guard patrols are far from uncommon. Some chimneys even have motion sensors installed on platforms or ladder stages, sometimes hidden in places you wouldn’t expect. These can get very tricky, because it’s difficult to spot them from the ground, and by the time you’re close enough to recognize them, it might too late - security has been notified. Such alarms often don’t make any sound when triggered, so you won’t likely even know an alert has gone out, giving you virtually no time to plan an escape.
In short, while the structure itself may be safer, the climb becomes far more complicated due to the high risk of being detected.
Approach#
When scouting a chimney, start with the ladder: check for rust, bent or missing rungs, and the overall stability of the metalwork and the chimney itself. Notice whether safety cage is attached and whether the chimney has rest stages spaced along the climb, or if it’s one continuous ascent. Additionaly, check the chimneys slope - cooling towers, for example, have a slight overhang near the top, making the climb more difficult.
Examine the lighting situation around the base and nearby buildings, keeping an eye out for floodlights that could put you in full view. Ideally, visit the site both during the day and at night to get a complete picture of all potential risks and approaches. Observe security patterns: look for guard huts, patrol routes, parked vehicles, and anything suggesting active surveillance. Check for cameras and motion sensors- they’re often mounted near the first rungs or along the lower sections of the ladder. If you spot a camera or motion sensor, you can try triggering it intentionally to test the response time, or to see whether there’s any reaction at all.
Finally, plan several escape routes and make sure they avoid brightly lit areas or wide open spaces where you could easily be spotted. Try to do all of the above before attempting the climb to minimize the risk of injury or legal trouble.
Climb#
As mentioned earlier, chimneys offer far more variety than cranes, and the climb itself can differ significantly depending on the structure and the overall condition.
Ladders#
On your way up, you may encounter a few different types of ladders:
- standard ladder with round rungs and side rails
- rectangular/flat rungs
- rungs inserted directly into the structure
Rectangular rungs deserve a special mention - they wear out your grip far faster than round ones and can easily catch you off guard mid-climb.
Cages#
A safety cage is a huge advantage - both physically and mentally. Even if you’ve never had to use one during your climbs, the mental comfort it provides makes a massive difference. Not having to think about "what happens if I slip" allows all your focus to go into the climb itself. When that fear is present, even experienced climbers start making mistakes: gripping too hard, climbing too slowly, overchecking every move. All of these drain grip strength extremely quickly and can become a real danger on longer climbs.
Just like with cranes, the cage can be used as a makeshift platform: one foot on the ladder, one on the cage, giving you a slightly more relaxed stance to breathe or rest your arms.
We definitely don’t recommend starting out with no-cage climbs. And as always, if you decide to attempt one, start small and slowly build up.
A no-cage climb with rectangular rungs is 100% not recommended for beginners.
Remember: the presence of a cage does NOT mean the ladder inside is safe. On older or sketchier chimneys, always test the rung before placing your full weight on it — the same goes when using the cage as a footrest.
Platforms#
If the chimney has stages or platforms, use them wisely. On newer chimneys with potential security systems, it’s worth checking each platform for cameras or motion sensors before settling down. If you’re confident you haven’t triggered anything, use the platform to relax your arms, drink some water, and assess whether you’re ready for the rest of the climb or if returning another day is the smarter choice.
Chimney top#
Chimney tops generally come in two forms, each offering a different experience.
-
Platform top This is by far the safer and more comfortable option, usually found on larger or newer chimneys. With a proper platform, you can sit down, breathe, take photos, and actually enjoy the view without feeling like you’re balancing on the edge of a void. Some platforms are spacious enough to walk around, lie down, or even cook dinner on, while others are tiny rusty metal frames barely allowing you to sit down. Still, if the chimney has no stages, reaching a platform top is a huge bonus, especially for resting before the descent.
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Abrupt open top Common on older or smaller chimneys, this type ends suddenly with nothing more than a narrow rim to stand or lean on. It leaves you completely exposed with no stable surface to rest or stabilize yourself, other than the ladder. Reaching this kind of top is sketchy, especially with strong wind or cold temperatures affecting your balance and stability. As mentioned earlier, old chimneys often have loose bricks at the top - leaning on them or grabbing them for support can cause the bricks to crumble, making you lose your grip or footing.
Conclusion#
Chimney climbs are some of the most exhilarating yet unforgiving adventures in the urbex world. They demand physical endurance, precise scouting, and respect for both structure and security.
Old chimneys challenge you with rusty metal and unstable brickwork while new ones challenge you with cameras, guards, and hidden alarms.
Whether you're climbing a 30-meter relic or a 300-meter industrial giant, always remember: respect the risks, know your limits, and climb with intention.
If you have questions, tips, or stories from your own crane climbs, feel free to reach out on our Discord or Instagram DMs.
