The Best Places to Go Climbing

This list includes places with amazing views, wonderful routes, and challenging vertical cliff faces. Read on to find out more!
The Best Places to Go Climbing

Last update: 29 June, 2020

Climbing a mountain or cliff face is both physically and mentally challenging. Today, we’ll reveal some of the best places to go climbing. There are some truly fascinating and complicated settings for practicing this exciting sport!

Which are the best places to go climbing?

If you’re just starting in the world of climbing, you might want to start first with an indoor climbing wall or go and experiment somewhere outdoors. But if you’re already well experienced and feel ready, you might want to try these six incredible places to go climbing!

1. Naranjo de Bulnes (Spain)

This is a limestone peak in the Picos de Europa, Asturias. Naranjo de Bulnes has an altitude of more than 8,200 feet and is a popular place for people to practice. Climbers particularly choose the 1,800-foot vertical west face. At the foot of this massif is Vega Urriellu, a glacial valley.

The first climbs here date back to 1904 and have been famous ever since. The last time the Urriellu was completed was in 2009 when the brothers, Iker and Eneko Pou accomplished the feat after an eight-hour climb.

2. Places to go climbing: Pitumarca (Peru)

Climbers regularly place this as one of the best places to go climbing in America. At the Ch’acco Huayllasca Climbing Park, in the town of Pitumarca, is limestone sections with a 45-degree negative slope and several streams.

Pitumarca in Peru.

There are 150 different routes to take and all of them offer the chance to enjoy some impressive views when taking a break. It’s also popular because of its pleasant climate, which allows you to climb almost all day long.

3. Yosemite National Park (United States)

Yosemite is one of the best-known parks in the United States and is located in California. Here, even the most experienced climbers cower before the large vertical walls surrounding the valley. The climbing season begins in April and ends in October, and the park also holds climbing classes.

Yosemite Park, which is a popular place to go climbing.

And if you’re not sure that you’re up to it, you can go to the El Capitán area and see how the others do it. Most climbers need three to five days to complete the climb across the rocky face of this enigmatic character.

4. Places to go climbing: Las Nieves Natural Park (Spain)

This park is located in Malaga and the tallest peak is the Torrecilla, with an altitude of over 6,500 feet. Wells used to be made at its summit during the winter for a supply of fresh natural water in the summer.

This park is known to climbers because of its mild temperatures and the fact that you can climb it all year round. At Las Nieves, there are 1,300 routes with varying levels of difficulty.

5. Suesca (Colombia)

It’s the oldest climbing area in Colombia and is less than 40 miles north of Bogotá. Suesca is a sandstone escarpment with almost 500 sports routes and is open to tourists because of its proximity to the country’s capital.

Suesca in Colombia.

Its altitude is really striking: over 8,500 feet above sea level. It also boasts a sandstone wall that’s more than a mile long, over 420 feet high and a particular favorite amongst climbers.

6. Petit Dru (France)

Of course, we couldn’t leave France out of this list of climbing spots. The Aiguille du Dru is a mountain belonging to the Mont Blanc massif in the heart of the Alps. The first climb was in 1878, and since 1913, there’s been a metal statue of Our Lady of Lourdes left by a group of climbers.

There are of course lots of other amazing places to go climbing, but we can’t put all of them on this list. But some others that you might want to look up at Argentine Patagonia, Mount Asgard in Canada, Valle de Los Cóndores in Chile, Montserrat Natural Park in Spain and Serra do Cipó in Brazil. Take your pick and start planning your next climbing adventure!


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.