Rodellar Escalada Deportiva Y Boulder is the definitive guidebook for the sport climbing and bouldering found at Rodellar and Alquezar. Buy this guidebook from our shop.
Rodellar rock climbing
Rodellar village is situated above the beautiful Muscan gorge in the Sierra de Guara National Park. This limestone gorge is one of Europe’s famous climbing areas and provides many steep routes at F6b and above, with many routes in the F8's. The climbing style is powerful and athletic requiring plenty of stamina. There are more than 800 routes that find their way out of overhanging caves, arches, roofs, tufas and pinnacles.
The climbing sectors are split into small areas either side of the gorge, meaning it is possible to climb in the sun or shade depending upon the time of day. All the climbing is reached after a 10 minute walk from Rodellar village. The majority of the routes are single pitch sport routes that vary in length from 15m through to 40m long. There are also some multi-pitch routes further into the gorge though some of these routes require Trad gear and have bird restrictions from 1st December through to 1st June. Fortunately the vast majority of the single pitch routes are not affected by the bird restrictions.
Map showing the location of Rodellar in the Pyrenees of Northern Spain
The climbing at Alquezar is located just to the south of the Sierra de Guara National Park. There are around 170 routes at Alquezar on limestone rock, with a better spread of grades than Rodellar. Hence there are many easier routes from F5 upwards, and is an ideal place to visit if Rodellar is cold or looking for some easier routes.
Rodellar Rock Climbing Logistics
When to go – The best time to rock climb at Rodellar is from late April to mid-June and from September to November, when the temperature is perfect for climbing. Mid-summer is too hot and the area is usually busy with other tourists, and the winter is usually wet. Fortunately the gorge runs north to south with climbing on both sides, meaning it is possible to climb in the sun or shade depending upon the time of day.
Gear – It is recommended that you take at least 70m long rope and possibly even an 80m rope if you want to do the very long routes, plus 15 quickdraws for the sport routes. The multi-pitch routes will require twin 60m ropes plus some Trad gear.
Accommodation – There are a number of options regarding accommodation in Rodellar, including two campsites both of which have self-catering bungalows. These are Camping Mascun and Camping El Puente.
The photograph shows Nacho Bueno climbing El Delfin (F7c+) at Rodellar and was taken by Pete O’Donovan. This route typifies the powerful and athletic style of climbing at Rodellar.
To view a larger photograph showing the excellent rock climbing and sport climbing to be found at Rodellar, please click on the thumbnail images.
Rodellar Escalada Deportiva Y Boulder is the definitive guidebook for the sport climbing and bouldering found at Rodellar and Alquezar. Buy this guidebook from our shop.