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Best places in Europe for March - April - May?

Original Post
Stef Kors · · Amsterdam · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 0

I have some time for extended travel around Europe. Which places are in season / best conditions? Preferably places where the food/travel is cheap and has a big climbing scene.

Also! Happy New Year!

Jim Titt · · Germany · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 490

Like half of these requests you know what you want to do but we don´t. Alpine north faces, 5.15 sport, 5.6 trad, bouldering, DWS etc etc?

Stef Kors · · Amsterdam · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 0

you are right, sport climbing or multipitch sport. 5-6b french scale range

kenr · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 16,608

The southeast quadrant of France has everything at that time of year -- bolted routes at those grades. Crags w snowy mountains above, or surrounded by farms + vineyards w single-lane roads, or white cliffs rising up out of the deep blue sea. With two different sub-regions known for dry sunny weather. 

More + more English-language guidebooks. Young climbers eager to practice their English so they can qualify for a non-government job (or to move to the next Euro commerce center that will replace London).

More + better indoor gyms for the few rainy days. Great skiing or cycling just for variety.

In case France is not enough, just a few hours drive to Finale Ligure or Barcelona.

Ken

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, UT · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 22,464

You might try Kalymos in Greece or Geyikbayiri in Turkey.  Both have robust climbing scenes and are pretty affordable.

Another couple of spots would be El Chorro in Spain.  Omis, Hvar and/or Paklenica in Croatia.

Gobs of routes at the grade ranges you mention.

Alan Rubin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 10

I agree with all those responses, and can throw in a couple of more--Sardinia and Sicily both offer lots of excellent climbing at that time of year. BUT, in almost all of the areas mentioned, while you are likely to find very good climbing conditions during the early part of your proposed time period, by May, maybe even late April, some of these areas are likely to be too hot for comfort, at least for climbing in the sun. Places such as Kalymnos, do offer nice shady sectors (at least in the morning) and by the time the sun comes around you usually will have had sufficient climbing to justify a siesta. Still choosing one of the 'Continental' options such as France, Spain, Italy offer more opportunities to move to other areas either further north or higher altitude to optimize climbing conditions.

Willem Braat · · The Hague · Joined Dec 2017 · Points: 0

All nice ideas so far. You’re able to get yourself a (rental) car?

It takes some cash to get to Kalymnos. You need to rent a scooter to get to the crags, but diving in the sea after climbing is quite something.

For Finale Ligure or Arco you need a car - but Italian food and coffee is hard to resist. I didn’t easily got in contact with the locals there I remember.

I tend to spend a lot of cash in Southern France and for quite some places a car is useful. Also the Alps is expensive and a car very useful.

Spain is very affordable; Chulilla is easily reachable and you can settle down in the village or campsite and walk to the crags easily. That can keep you busy for months with a good price tag if you don’t get drunk all the time in the cool climbing pub there. Great climbing in Montserrat with an enormous number of single and good bolted multipitch (also a lot of unbolted or poorly bolted ones, so take care), aim at the village El Bruc for finding locals. Takes some time to get to to the routes though (approach and the drive to the closest parking).

In Greece, Leonidio is really nice, affordable, nice locals, good food, recently developed and very safely bolted perfect for climbing in the 6 range. Again, a car is useful. 

Europe is huge, I think we covered 1% herenow :) Chulilla could be a good start.

Enjoy!

Adam Herman · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2017 · Points: 0

I can't advice much but if you're passing Czech I'll do my best to have free time. No knots climbing, that is venue for me to enter yet. I could agree with leonidio, it's wonderful, although Greece in general feels hard, that is something to account for.

Susan Briggs · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2018 · Points: 0

You should visit Portugal! It is amazing country! I bet that you will like to spend vacation there! Portugal is one of cheap and safe place!

https://travelblogportal.com/destinations/bulgaria/top-best-cheap-safe-places-travel-handy-guide-travellers/

Matthew Murison · · Antibes · Joined Feb 2018 · Points: 5

Hi Stef. 

March April and May are great for the following areas in Southern France: Calanques (single and multi pitch sport - lots of climbers often based at the campsite in Cassis), La Turbie - (Single Pitch day crag above Monaco - March very good but later gets hotter.. hard to find a partner.), Verdon gets really good from late March - Lots of Climbers in La Palud camp site - Top Quality Multi pitch sport. Seuse - from April onwards. Always a climber around once you get to the campsite - top quality. 

Matthew

Stef Kors · · Amsterdam · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 0

I've decided to at-least hang around the North East of Spain from 10th of April till the 19th. If anyone is interested in meeting up let me know! I'm brining my rope and draws and probably have a tiny car to drive around.

Thanks for all the help!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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