Rock climbing in the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees Mountains form a natural border between France and Spain, and in the foothills of these mountains there are many excellent sports climbing, rock climbing and bouldering areas. Generally the rock here is usually very good and well bolted.

The majority of the crags described here offer single pitch sports routes, though there is some multi-pitch climbing at Superpene & Pene Haute (both up to 70m high) and at Cavallers (up to 120m high). All of the crags are limestone with the exception Targasonne crag, which offers granite bouldering. Also there are many more climbing areas across the border in the Spanish Pyrenees and Catalunya areas.

Situated either side of the town of Arreau are 2 crags, Superpene and Pene Haute that offer the largest number of sports routes on the French side of the Pyrenees. Here the climbing is quite technical though there is a good number of multi-pitch routes up to 70m high that are 2 to 3 pitches long. The crags face south or south east, though the base of the crags are forested so there is always enough shade when it is hot.

Sinsat offers lots of good mid grade climbing on vertical or just off vertical routes that are generally well bolted. Again the crags face south, though there is no shade, so the best time to climb is late autumn until spring.

The best place for bouldering in the Pyrenees is at Targasonne. Here the bouldering is at an altitude of over 1,600m, which means the best time to visit is from late spring until early autumn. These granite boulders offer a good range of routes across all grades and are generally between 3 and 4m tall.