While some people wouldn’t even dream of climbing anything higher than a flight of stairs, others embrace the opportunity with open arms—and maybe a helmet, rope, and some carabiners.
Rock climbing can be a truly adventurous and thrilling activity, whether you’re just learning in a climbing gym or scaling a massive limestone wall in Greece. Yes, it’s a great way to not only push yourself physically and mentally, but it’s also a cool opportunity to travel and see incredible places.
Fortunately, Mother Nature has provided us with some amazing destinations for both experts and beginners, such as the ones below.
Thailand
The limestone cliffs of the Krabi area in Thailand provide some of the most famous rock climbing spots in the world. Enjoy both single and multi-pitch sport climbing routes right off the beaches of the Phra Nang peninsula, or head over to the island of Koh Yao Noi for deep water soloing. To ensure dry and warm weather, book your trip between November and March.
France
The charming town of Fontainebleau located just south of Paris offers some of the best bouldering in Europe. Since most of the bouldering takes place on the sandstone rocks in the surrounding forests, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful scenery and even a soft and sandy landing—which is key for this style of climbing. Specific circuits have also been created and color-coded to identify the skill level required to complete each, so you don’t have to worry about finding your way around. The most popular areas include the iconic boulder, L’Elephant, and the Trois Pignons, which is located along sandy white beaches.
Morocco
If you’re not sure what type of rock climbing you’d like to do, the Todra Gorge in the High Atlas Mountains might be for you. The limestone cliffs offer everything from bouldering to multi-pitch climbing to sport climbing. Pre-designed routes are known to go up to 300 meters long for varying skill levels as well.
Italy
The Dolomites in Italy offer a range of limestone rock with towering peaks that go well over 300 meters. Since the routes can go up to 800 meters long, some trips may require an overnight stay at a lodge on the mountain. Many climbers prefer this spot to the western Alps due to the vast vertical rock and absence of ice fields or glaciers, meaning you’ll need less gear to carry. Marmolada, which is 800 meters high, is the highest peak in the Dolomites and is great for those looking for a true challenge.
Greece
With almost 1,700 routes for both beginners and skilled climbers, Kalymnos Island is great for sport climbing. Experienced climbers can also enjoying showing off various rock climbing techniques, as there are plenty off stalactites, overhanging limestone walls, and other rock formations to pass by. The most visited areas include Masouri, which has the tons of crags and pre-designed routes. It also doesn’t hurt that the weather is nearly perfect all year long.
Photo from ScienceDaily.com
