Rock climbing at Arco - Logistics

The best time of the year to visit Arco to go rock climbing is either in the spring or autumn. It is possible to climb in the winter though the area is famous for being windy (hence is popular with windsurfers on Lake Garda) and therefore can be cold during the winter. In the summer it can get very hot though it is a popular venue if the Dolomites further north are wet. It's also worth noting that an annual competition takes place at Massone crag at the end of August/beginning of September.

As with most European sport climbing areas it is essential to take at least a 60m rope (70m is ideal) and at least 12-14 quickdraws. At some crags a small rack of wires are also useful. If you intend to climb some of the longer multi-pitch routes then it is advisable to bring a full rack of wires and cams along with duel 50m or even 60m ropes.

Average daily temperature for Trento

Map of Arco and the Surrounding Area

Map of Arco and the Surrounding Area

How to get to Arco

Getting to Arco by air it is best to fly into either Verona or Brescia airports, both of which are serviced by the budget airlines. It is also worth considering Milan Bergamo airport, which is approximately 50 miles to the east of Brescia. To fully enjoy all the rock climbing in Arco it is necessary to hire a car. Arco is approximately a 50 mile drive from Verona.

What rock climbing guidebooks are available for Arco?

There are 4 definitive rock climbing guidebooks covering the general Arco to Sarche area, both of which are described below and can be bought from our shop.

Rock climbing and sport climbing guidebook for ArcoThe Arco Rock guidebook covers all the bolted sport routes in and around the Arco area, which features 130 different crags and 5,000 routes. Each crag has a location map, and a good description giving a general overview of the area and type of rock climbing to be found there. All the climbs are described with clear topo diagrams. This excellent guidebook for rock climbing and sport climbing for the Arco region is in English text.

This Arco Rock guidebook is available to buy from our shop.

Arco Summer Spots Rock Climbing GuidebookThe Sport Climbing in Arco Guidebook covers over 4,400 sport routes, with the majority of these being single pitch routes plus with the occasional short multi-pitch route (up to 3-pitches long). It describes routes from F3 to F9a across 131 different crags.  Buy the Sport Climbing in Arco Guidebook (revised 3rd edition) from our shop.

Arco Walls Vol 1 guidebook for Trad and sport multi-pitch routes around Arco and the Sarche ValleyThe Arco Walls Volume 1 guidebook covers all the long multi-pitch rock climbing routes in the in the southern half of the Sarca Valley around Arco.  It covers both trad and sport routes ranging from 100m to 500m long, with many routes between 200m and 300m long.

At over 520 pages long the guidebook details 19 separate crags, with each crag having a good location map and excellent topos for each route. Grades are either UIAA or French depending upon whether the route is bolted. This excellent guidebook for big wall rock climbing in Arco is in English text (published in October 2020) and is available to buy from our shop.

Arco Walls Vol 2 guidebook for Trad and sport multi-pitch routes around Dro, Pietramurata, Sarche, Vezzano, and TerlagoThe Arco Walls Volume 2 guidebook covers all the long multi-pitch rock climbing routes in the in the northern half of the Sarca Valley around Dro, Pietramurata, Sarche, Vezzano, and Terlago.  It covers both trad and sport multi-pitch routes up to 1,400m long including those at Piccolo Dain, Monte Brento and Monte Casale.  

At over 510 pages long the guidebook details 14 separate crags, with each crag having a good location map and excellent topos for each route. Grades are either UIAA or French depending upon whether the route is bolted. This excellent guidebook for big wall rock climbing in Arco is in English text (published in April 2021) and is available to buy from our shop.

Alpen en Bloc 1 guidebookThere are also several selective rock climbing guidebooks for Arco. Climbing routes in the Sarca Valley describes 60 multi-pitch routes between 200m and 700m long that are graded between F5 and F7. The Arco Summer Spots: Climbing Guidebook covers the areas to rock climb during the summer, where cool crags or shady multi-pitch routes are required. Buy all of these selective Arco rock climbing guidebooks from our shop.

The Alpen en Bloc 1 guidebook covers nearly 150 problems at Passo San Giovanni just to the south of Arco, with the style of the bouldering characterised by lots of jugs, ledges and pockets. Buy the Alpen en Bloc 1 guidebook from our shop.

The Trentino Bouldering guidebook covers an area from the Sarca valley to the heart of the Dolomites, describing 1,000’s of boulder problems.  It covers 10 areas around Arco plus many more around Trento.  Buy the Trentino Bouldering Guidebook from our shop.

Accommodation for rock climbers in Arco

The majority of rock climbers stay in the village of Arco, near Lake Garda. This village has a wide choice of accommodation, ranging from expensive hotels, budget hotels, self-catering apartments and villas, B&B, and camping. 

What else is there to do in Arco?

Arco is also a great place to go mountain biking or try a Via Ferrata route, as well as some great walking and hiking to sample.

Via Ferratas are great fun as they are half-way between scrambling and rock climbing.  The protected routes consist of a steel cable fixed to the rock, along with metal steps, ladders, and suspension bridges.  Buy the Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites, Volume 2 from our shop. that covers the Arco area.

Around Arco and Lake Garda there are over a 1,000km of waymarked cycling trails ranging from dedicated cycling paths, cobbled and dirt roads, to mule tracks and paths, along with some ski lifts to whisk you high into the mountains.  These trails provide a wide range of routes and trails to suite mountain bikers of all abilities from beginners to the more experienced cyclist with a high level of commitment. Click here for more information about mountain biking around Lake Garda and Arco.

Climbing routes in the Sarca Valley describes 60 multi-pitch routes between 200m and 700m long that are graded between F5 and F7.

Buy Rock Climbing Guidebooks for Arco and the Sarche Valley from our shop.

Copyright © 2008-present Climb Europe Limited. All rights reserved.