The Top 14 Rock Climbing Destinations in Europe

By: SUZIE DUNDAS | Pulished on 2023-12-04

Les Calanques, France

The Top 14 Rock Climbing Destinations in Europe-Trip Advise

The South of France may be associated with luxury, but it's easy to mix in a little rock climbing adventure in Les Calanques, a rocky series of mountains and ridges around Parc National des Calanques. Many routes have Mediterranean views and while climbers will find routes of all levels (there are sport, trad, and bouldering routes), non-climbers in your group will have easy access to beaches, scuba diving, luxurious resorts, mountain biking, and much more nearby (Toulon and Cassis are less than an hour away.) All the rock here is limestone, which is a favorite among sport climbers.

Osp, Slovenia

The Top 14 Rock Climbing Destinations in Europe-Trip Advise

If northern Italy has excellent rock climbing, then shouldn't the countries around northern Italy also be worth a visit? The answer is yes, especially if you're able to head to Slovenia. Just east of Venice across the border is Osp, the most well-known city in Slovenia for climbers. It's not very beginner-friendly, but experienced climbers will find plenty to entertain themselves on the massive limestone formations, including opportunities to climb in massive cave overhangs. Most climbers stay in Trieste (Italy), though Osp is only an hour from Ljubljana if you'd prefer not to make the border crossing each morning.

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