Where to Rock Climb: The Top Spots Worldwide

Newsweek

3 days ago

Geyikbayiri and the Antalya region are important climbing areas and, with some 1,500 routes, have more than any other part of Turkey. But there are more than 1.25 million climbing routes around the world — even in the Arctic and the Antarctic, though two-thirds are in Europe. Check out these top climbing spots around the world.
Yosemite National Park — California, U.S.
As a global hub for climbers, Yosemite (below) has to be on the list. It is renowned for towering granite formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome. It caters to all experience levels, offering everything from accessible beginner climbs to demanding multiday routes. It has a rich climbing history and gained additional fame with the documentary movies Free Solo and The Dawn Wall. It can draw heavy crowds of climbers during busy seasons, but that doesn't detract from the beauty.
View of El Capitan as speed climbers Hans Florine, of Lafayette, Calif., and Yuji Hirayama, of Japan attempt a new record of climbing the Nose route of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on June...
View of El Capitan as speed climbers Hans Florine, of Lafayette, Calif., and Yuji Hirayama, of Japan attempt a new record of climbing the Nose route of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on June 29, 2008. Their time was 2 hours, 47 minutes, just shy of the record of 2 hours and 45 minutes. More
Michael Maloney/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty
Red Rock Canyon — Nevada, U.S.
Climbers head to Las Vegas for a different thrill to gamblers—Red Rock Canyon (below), located about 25 miles from the Strip. Its striking Aztec sandstone offers over 2,000 climbing routes, ranging from beginner-friendly 45-foot sport climbs to towering 2,200-foot traditional routes for seasoned adventurers. The area's warm, dry climate provides an extended climbing season, though, like Yosemite, it often draws large crowds during peak times.
Rock climber on Aztec Sandstone, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada.
Rock climber on Aztec Sandstone, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada.
Marli Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty
Kalymnos — Greece
For climbers, Kalymnos (below) is undoubtedly the most famous of the Greek islands. High quality limestone cliffs at various angles tower close to the blue Aegean, which makes for a breathtaking backdrop for climbing. With well over 4,000 routes, Kalymnos has a wide range of grades, including plenty of opportunities for lower and intermediate-level climbers as well as steep and overhanging routes for experts able to manage the most limited holds. Another possibility here is deep-water soloing—climbing without safety gear but with the sea below in case of falls.
Climbers take part in the 2019 annual Climbing Festival in the island of Kalymnos on October 4, 2019. - The festival has attracted some 400 sports climbers from across the globe.
Climbers take part in the 2019 annual Climbing Festival in the island of Kalymnos on October 4, 2019. - The festival has attracted some 400 sports climbers from across the globe.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty
Catalonia — Spain
Spain is brimming with opportunities for climbing and some of the best are in the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia in the northeast. Siurana and Margalef are at the top of the list for many climbers. Although they lie quite close together in a stunning location, the rocks are quite different. Siurana's limestone often requires sustained technical climbing and fewer prospects for beginners. Margalef's conglomerate offers some easier routes though also plenty of super-hard ones.
Fontainebleau — France
About 40 miles southeast of Paris is the world-renowned bouldering destination of Fontainebleau—also known for its chateau. Sandstone rocks offer some 30,000 boulder problems of differing levels and make it the most developed such location globally. The climbing here is not on ropes so it's recommended to use crash pads to reduce the risk of injury, even if they may not be required for all climbs. The rocks are at different spots in the forest, so an app or guide is helpful for finding your way around.
Krabi — Thailand
Railay Beach and Tonsai in southern Thailand have been drawing climbers from around the world for years. The limestone has plenty of pockets and features that make for exciting routes across a range of difficulties, including for beginners. It is all set amid verdant tropical jungle that extends down to white beaches and the blue sea. The Thai food is an added attraction. Krabi is far from being the only great climbing place in Thailand. Crazy Hose Buttress near the northern city of Chiang Mai is well worth a visit with excellent routes and benefits from being much less crowded.
Céüse — France
Among the many climbing options in France is Céüse, which has been described by some as "the best crag in the world." It is known for routes that are long, hard and steep, and its limestone rock is of very high quality. It's also on the top of a 6,500-foot mountain with incredible views over southern France. It's mostly a place for climbing in summer and the altitude means it can be chilly even then. Climbers also need to allow up to an hour for walking to the crag.
Yangshuo — China
Rock climbing's popularity has soared in China and possibly the biggest outdoor center is Yangshuo (below) near Guilin in southern China's Guangxi Province. It has more than 1,000 sport climbing routes on its limestone karst formations, including some beginner routes. Its hills jut like rows of green teeth among the rice fields. Climbing in Yangshuo is credited in part to a (non-climbing) visit by former U.S. President Richard Nixon to admire the spectacular landscape—particularly Moon Hill, with its natural arch.
Walking hikers in the Peak forest karst 004.
Walking hikers in the Peak forest karst 004.
iStock/Getty
Rocklands — South Africa
The globally renowned bouldering spot of Rocklands (below) in South Africa is celebrated for its excellent sandstone boulders and breathtaking landscapes. Situated in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, it lies roughly two-and-a-half hours by car from Cape Town. The beautiful orange and gray sandstone with featured and varied holds offers some 4,000 boulder problems as well as some sport and trad climbing routes. Be prepared for coarse rock that can be tough on the hands.
Hikers exploring Cederberg Mountains trail on sunny day.
Hikers exploring Cederberg Mountains trail on sunny day.
Westend61/Karsten Koch/Getty
Patagonia — Argentina
The primary rock climbing area in Argentina's Patagonia region is El Chaltén, which is known for its towering spires of granite. It is a hub for big mountain multipitch climbing routes that involves climbing several routes in succession to allow the scaling of big walls. Sometimes, that can take days. However, it also has some routes for sport climbers of lower levels or is useful practice for climbers preparing to take on the bigger challenges. Summer is the best time for climbing here.
Athletic male climbs outside on a boulder with men spotting.
Athletic male climbs outside on a boulder with men spotting.
Cavan Images RF/Getty
The Grampians — Australia
The Grampians National Park (above) in Victoria, Australia, is a globally recognized climbing hotspot with an immense variety of challenges. Famed for its impressive sandstone features and wide variety of routes, it offers something for everyone from novice climbers to seasoned experts. There are both short sport climbs and challenging multipitch routes. The park is also a top destination for bouldering, featuring a vast range of problems from easy to extraordinarily difficult.