Spain generally has some amazing areas for climbing, with good quality
rock and bolted multi-pitch routes. Areas such as the Costa Blanca
and Mallorca are famous for their good quality routes, but the Costa
Daurada and many areas in Cataluña are also excellent
and definitely worth a visit.
If
you live in Barcelona, or are taking a holiday in the city, there
are several places less than one hour's drive from the city that
offer a good day's climbing on a selection of grades. With Spain's
good climate it's worth escaping England's winter to take the opportunity
to climb in warmer weather, and all you need is a rope and quickdraws
with almost all of Spain's routes being bolted.
Climbing in the Costa Daurada offers superb sports climbing with
many of the crags facing towards the south, meaning that you can
climb in autumn and spring. In the summer there are crags sheltered
by trees, such as Arbolí, where it's also possible
to climb on a hot sunny day.
Climbing areas close to Barcelona
For very good climbing, on bolted routes, and with a good variety
of grades visit Garraf. Garraf is approximately 40 minutes
drive from Barcelona due south west and there are two crags: Penya
Ginesta and Pic de Martell. There is a good selection
of grades here and a great view out over the sea. You can also get
to Garraf by train, although you would be left with a long uphill
walk to the crag. The video below was taken at Penya Ginesta, Garraf.
Climbing 6a at Garraf.
Another one of my favourites is El Facu, although don't go
when it's too hot, it's south facing. It's a small crag but offers
some very nice technical climbing. El Facu is a little further than
Garraf, past Sitges just off the road to Vilafranca del Penedes.
For a hot day try Subirats, this is a more sheltered crag
and will be in the shade by the afternoon. Subirats is situated in
one of the biggest Cava producing areas of Cataluña and has
grades ranging from 3 to 7a.
Arbolí nearer to Siurana is also excellent on a sunny
day as the foot of the crag, at least, is in the shade.
For detailed information on the local climbing around
Barcelona download Rockfax's mini-guide to Barcelona published
in November 2005 and written by Chris Craggs and Alan James.
It cost's £4.50 and is excellent value for money. The
guide covers several crags including those mentioned above:
A
little further is Siurana, approximately 1½
hour's drive from Barcelona. Siurana is one of the best places
to climb in the area with many of the climbing routes set within
a deep gorge giving spectacular views over the river below and
surrounding countryside. There are over 200 routes here!
There
are two refuges in the Siurana area that offer cheap accommodation
(in the region of €7 per night) including a meal and breakfast.
Bring your own sleeping bag.
Rockfax's full guide to Costa Daurada climbing is £15.95 and
covers the Siurana area amongst many others:
Please note that a 60 metre rope is very useful in Spain
where many of the routes are too long for a 50 metre rope. Even climbing
with a 60 metre rope we've almost run out of rope when lowering off,
so remember to put a knot in the end of the rope before lowering
off!
Barcelona City Centre Climbing & Bouldering
There are a few well-known climbing and bouldering areas within
the city that are known to the locals, such as:
the perimeter wall of Parc Guell – a tricky traverse
which is a great place to hone your technical skills on fingery
moves.
the tunnel in Parc de Montjuïc – La Fuixarda
has been completely taken over by climbers, so much so that the
road was closed to traffic some time ago and the tunnel walls are
now covered with climbing holds as well as graffiti. It's well-lit
so you can climb into the night. ◊
Let me know what you think about this page. Please rate
it! Thanks.
Indoor Climbing Walls
Barcelona
also has a growing number of indoor walls (it rains here some
times too!). Two walls that are very central and easy to get to
by metro are:
Gymrock, Concepción
Arenal 151-159, Barcelona
Nearest Metro is Congrés, Line 5.
Climbat, Calle Moianés
19-21, Barcelona 08014.
Tel: +34 93 432 9908
info@climbat.com www.climbat.com
Nearest metro is Plaza España.
If
you live in Barcelona, or are taking a holiday in the city, there
are several places less than one hour's drive from the city that
offer a good day's climbing on a selection of grades. With Spain's
good climate it's worth escaping England's winter to take the opportunity
to climb in warmer weather, and all you need is a rope and quickdraws
with almost all of Spain's routes being bolted. 
