Super smooth and beautiful wood. My baby is 13 months and still cautious around this. He loves climbing everything so I really thought he'd take to it right away, but no. Hoping that as he becomes acquainted and used to climbing the rungs he'll get more use out of it.
We had a friend over though and their 10 month old was trying to climb it that very day she saw it.

My son took to this immediately. It’s so much fun watching him get the hang of it. Big sister loves it too and had fun putting blankets over it to make a little fort

I am so glad I went ahead and got this for my little one, it is so well made and I see years of use ahead!