In this post, we will introduce you to ten of the best from around the world.
Over the last few years, rock climbing has seen a surge in popularity. It’s a great way to keep your body and mind in shape. It pushes your determination and logic to the limit as you search for ways to conquer whatever vertical you’ve got in front of you.
Novice climbers tend to start at their local climbing gym, but where are the best places to start when you’re ready for real-time rock climbing adventures?
In this post, we will introduce you to ten of the best from around the world.
1. Joshua Tree, California
U2, the famous rock band, may have named a best-selling album after it, but it’s also got a world-renowned reputation among rock climbers. Joshua Tree, in California, is where the Mojave and the Colorado deserts meet. It might appear flatter than many other well-known rock climbing destinations, but it’s got more than 8,000 climbing routes on its very uniquely shaped rock formations.
For beginners, there are more than one thousand graded 5.8 or below. In addition, 100 of them are for top-rope climbing, which is one of the most practiced techniques in any climbing gym.
2. Boulder Canyon, Colorado
For many experienced climbers, Colorado is a second home as it overflows with climbing opportunities. However, Boulder Canyon is a great place for beginners as there are almost 300 routes graded 5.8 and below. In addition, 20% of them are for top-rope climbing.
It’s a 12-mile playground that’s got a crag to climb every tenth of a mile, so you can keep revisiting as your skillset improves.
3. Costa Brava, Spain
Take a trip to the Costa Brava if you’re looking for a tranquil place to climb. There are plenty of pre-fixed structures in the limestone rocks, such as steel bridges, fixed metal ladders, and fixed cables.
Sadernes and Solius are stunning areas of granite and limestone. Solius provides granite grips, while Sadernes is a sweeping area of limestone formations and crags.
You’ll find sections with grades as low as four, and the calming waters of the turquoise ocean below make the whole thing a very soothing experience.
4. Tonsai and Railay, Thailand
One thing that attracts climbers to Thailand is its beaches. While they might be better suited for more experienced climbers, beginners shouldn’t feel intimidated by the exotic, craggy rock faces.
Laem Phra Nang is the only top-rope climbing route graded under 5.8, but if you include trad and sports climbs, there are 18 routes for beginners in total. 50% of the climbs are already bolted, but if you’d prefer to have some guidance, there are plenty of climbing companies in nearby Krabi that will help.
5. Frankenjura, Germany
Frankenjura is one of the premier European sport-climbing destinations, and it has more than 8,000 limestone crag routes from which you can choose. It’s a very beginner-friendly location and has more than 400 crags graded 5.8 or below. However, for top-rope climbers, there’s not quite so much choice as there’s only one spot ready for top-rope climbing.
6. Red River Gorge, Kentucky
The sandstone cliffs of this famous river gorge provide a wide variety of climbs. There are 370 routes graded 5.8 or below, and 12 are set up for top-rope climbing. The 50-foot Forgive Me Amy is a great place to start, and then you can move on to the 60-foot Warm-Up climb.
If you haven’t got all the gear you need that’s not a problem. Professional guides can set you up with everything you need to scale the walls of this popular climbing destination.
7. French Alps, France
The Matterhorn is one of the climbs a beginner might find a little intimidating, but there’s far more to this climbing location than that one mighty rock. If you’re ready to test your mountaineering skills, why not start with the smaller glaciers where you can refine your crampon techniques and other skills?
When proficient, move on to an easy climb such as Pic du Glacier d’Arsine. Next, there’s the Gran Paradiso. It might be more than 4,000 meters high, but it’s still considered suitable for beginners.
8. The Shawangunks, New York
The Shawangunks are located 90 minutes from New York City and are one of the most accessible climbing areas. More than 400 climbing routes are graded between 5.0 and 5.8, together with more than 100 rope-ready climbs.
One of the most popular routes is High Exposure, and it’s a 5.6-grade climb that was first established in 1941.
9. Wye Creek, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand, is the world’s adventure capital, but its neighbor Wye Creek also attracts plenty of adventurers every year. There’s even an annual climbing festival that’s held in January.
The areas you can climb are divided into the black, project, and main walls and are all beginner-friendly. Thanks to the views overlooking a sparkling, glacier-fed lake, you’ll feel like you’ve conquered an epic peak.
10. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is undoubtedly a majestic place to visit, but if you’re a rock-climbing beginner, it’s also a wonderful place to be. You enter the park through a tunnel, and it feels like you’re in another world.
Thousands of climbers of all levels flock to Yosemite, looking to conquer the many peaks the park has to offer. As well as tackling some of the more accessible peaks, it’s also an excellent opportunity to learn by watching the experts scaling the mountains.
Time to dust off your climbing gear and book your ticket, how you’ve got some destinations in mind.
Photo by Davyd Bortnik from Pexels
