Bouldering in Albarracin

Albarracin has the reputation as the best bouldering area in Spain and is often described as the next best in Europe behind Fontainebleau, and is very popular with Spanish climbers. Like Fontainebleau, Albarracin has many huge ancient sandstone blocks that are solid, well-weathered and situated in a forest. There are a variety of problems to climb from quality slabs, amazing arêtes, overhanging walls on crimps and cracks, to huge roofs. There is a good spread of grades at Albarracin ranging from Fontainebleau 3 to 8b+, with the majority in the 5 to 7b range.

For guided or instructed bouldering holidays in Albarracin we recommend our friends at
Rock & Sun.

Map of Albarracin and the surrounding area

One of the main advantages of bouldering at Albarracin as opposed to other bouldering areas within Spain is the temperature. Albarracin is at an altitude of over 900m above sea level, making the air cool enough to climb throughout most of the year except high summer and is generally very dry.

The bouldering at Albarracin is situated in the protected area of Los Pinares de Rodeno. Climbers share this area with important archaeological sites and extensive flora. Hence out of the 15 different bouldering sectors, 5 have restrictions forbidding climbing from 10th January to 15th August. The Boulder Albarracin guidebook has extensive information about these restrictions, which can be bought from our shop. This guidebook details over 1,600 problems all of which are shown on colour photo topos. An alternative guidebook is the E Bloc - the Spanish Bouldering Guidebook that can also be bought from our shop. This guidebook covers 12 major bouldering areas in Spain including over 700 bouldering problems at Albarracin all of which are shown on colour photo topos.

Bouldering in Albarracin - Logistics

Cheap flights are available to Valencia or Zaragoza, where a car is hired and Albarracin is reached within 2 to 3 hours of driving. Within Albarracin there are numerous places to stay, see our Albarracin accommodation page for more details.

Click on any of the images opposite to view a larger picture, showing the excellent bouldering to be found at Albarracin.