Where to climb in Spain this summer

Hello everyone,
This summer I am planning on probably spending around three weeks in Spain (possibly a bit shorter/longer as I start figuring out the specifics of what I want to do and how much it will cost). The primary purpose is really for language immersion, as I've spent a bit over 5 years studying Spanish. However, I figure that if I'm going to spend some free time in Spain, I should try to get some climbing in, as it looks amazing there, and it could be a while before I have another chance to go.

For the first two weeks, I will probably stay in Salamanca, so any places to climb near enough for an afternoon or weekend excursion would be greatly appreciated.

For the third week or so, I'd like to travel to somewhere climbing specific in the country. Based on what research I've done up to this point, the main possible destinations appear to be (In no specific order) El Chorro, Costa Blanca, Catalunya (I haven't read as much about the climbing here yet), or perhaps Mallorca for DWS. I'm mostly looking for advice about which to choose for a main destination, or perhaps if it would make more sense to try to go to several of them while I am there. For now, one positive I've though of for El Chorro is the fact that the primary language in that region is Castellano rather than Catalan, but that's not a huge concern to me.

A little about myself and my climbing if it helps. I've only been climbing for about three months so far, and figure I'll be able to get another three to four months in before I head to Spain. I realize that's probably less time than most have before such a trip, but I have the opportunity, and I don't want to waste it.

At this point, my experience is all in the gym (I go to Mesa Rim). I climb about 3 days per week, and at this point I spend most of my time climbing in the 5.10 range there, and bouldering v2 pretty comfortably, and some of the v3's and v4's after more practice. I tend to do better on vertical climbs than on roofs/steep overhangs of similar ratings, though I'm starting to work on that a bit more in my bouldering. I also really love cracks. My goal is to get a rope and start lead climbing next month, and get outdoors as much as possible between then and when I'd possibly go to Spain, and I'd really like to try to work to break into the 5.11 range by that time (by my gym's ratings, time will tell how I do on real rock).

Thus I'm not looking for the cliff with the most 5.13-15 in the world or anything like that in Spain. I'm looking for a place or two that is more moderate and where I'll have fun for a week or so of climbing. I will most likely be traveling alone, so if anyone's up for some climbing while I'm there, let me know (not sure on dates yet).

TL;DR--Where should I go climbing in Spain for a week or so of moderate Sport Climbing or DWS?

Thanks,
Griffin Nosenzo

I've spent time climbing in Catalunya, Aragon and Costa Blanca. Lot of great climbing. Finding partners may be easier once you get to your school and remaining nearby. Summer may be hot in El Chorro, so I'm told. But coming from Cali, it shouldn't discourage you much.

In Barcelona a really nice destination is Monserrat. It is a conglomerate area and easily reached from town by train or bus. Riglos is conglomerate limestone but multipitch and steep. You would need an experienced partner or hire Antonio, he owns a hotel there and is a certified guide. It is easily reached by train.

This would get my vote.
google.com/search?q=riglos+…

Hank Caylor wrote:This would get my vote. google.com/search?q=riglos+…

Watch Asgard project to see Leo Holding and partner base jump off these towers with the cloud line about half way up the tower, INTENSE JUMP!

Almost all of Spain is going to be really hot, 100+ most days. The Andalucia region i.e. El Chorro is probably going to be the hottest and I imagaine finding partners will be pretty rough. I would stick to the coast. It is still going to be hot but at least you'll be by the water. Personally, given the short amount of time you have, I would bag the climbing and just enjoy the wine and pretty spanish girls.

Hello from Alicante, placed in the east coast of Spain.

In replay to the Griffin post, I´ll try to solve some doubts about climbing in the Spanish´s Summer.

It is a well known fact that here we have a wide variety of climbing areas. Several of them combines Trad and Sport Climbing. In summer time it is better to flee from the south and east areas, because of the high temperatures. Nevertheless if you wake up early or climb after the 18:00 hours, it could be an option to go, sharing the climbing time with the beach and relax.

Let me divide the country in climbing areas depending on the temperature during the summer.

Close to Salamanca, may be you can travel to Galayos (Trad. Climbing) (Temperatures between 20-30 degrees)

In that area, Torreon de los Galayos, it´s the most emblematic tower.

Torreon de los Galayos

Madrid. La Pedriza. More than 1.200 routes. Trad and sport climbing.
(Temperatures between 25-35 degrees)

Yelmo is the most representative peak in that zone.

El Yelmo

Looking to the North, you can find Picos De Europa. This is a huge area plenty of great routes. Not only for climbing, even for treking, mountain, etc...
(Temperatures between 20-28 degrees)
Naranjo de Bulnes it is the top of this type of climbing (Trad Clim Mainly)

Naranjo de Bulnes

However if you like to climb with high temperatures, Montserrat in Barcelona, or whatever in Costa Blanca you will have great and long routes to climb.
(Temperatures between 30 degrees)
Puig Campana, Benidorm

My advise is to focus in an area, and enjoy all the possibilities, such as climb, food, trekking, walk ... and so on.

If you need further information, do not hesitate contact me.

Sorry about my terrible english grammar.