Horseshoe (La Herradura) Rock Climbing

The soaring and steep limestone cliffs on this organic farm are up to 300 feet tall with 58 bolted pitches currently open, from 5.7 to 5.12+ in difficulty. The crag is located at an elevation of 800 feet in the tropical rainforest of Ciales, 15 minutes from the north coast and surf breaks of the island. This steep  karst mogote geography borders wilderness and the climbing area is managed as a wilderness area with preservation of the environment a priority.

Shifting shade creates a perfect climbing environment year-round with breezy, sweeping views of the high peaks of the nearby Toro Negro Mountains (4300 ft). Just minutes from the many restaurants and bars of Ciales, a ten minute walk on good trails gets you to this impressive amphitheatre, La Herradura and the adjacent Hole in the Wall  multi-pitch routes.

As a private farm and rainforest conservation area, the climber/owners ask all guests to take the best possible care of the natural resources and practice Leave No Trace ethics, including "taking nothing but pictures."  To preserve the environment, no guided groups or pets are allowed. The cliff is open from sunrise to sunset.

Most routes here are set up for stick clipping and it's recommended. The rock is very solid but as many climbs are new or have seen minimal ascents, there is a potential for holds to break or feet to cause rockfall, so beware!  Bees and lightning are the primary environmental threats in the cliff environments. Loud noises are likely to annoy the honeybees and if encountered, remaining calm for a minute is usually sufficient to avoid stings. Excessive screaming and yelling at any crag here is likely to provoke the native honey bees, climbing quietly is key for everyone's safety. Thunderstorms can move-in quickly and lower elevations are generally safer in a storm which can occur here any month of the year. Rain does not generally  affect the rock strength and it usually dries very quickly, sometimes within a few minutes after a storm. Steeper routes can stay dry while it's raining.