About Climbing in Mallorca
Mallorca is without a doubt one of Europe’s most beautiful and varied sports climbing venues. An abundance of top quality limestone means that the island has an unparalleled variety of routes of all grades.
Combine this with its beautiful beaches, rugged coastline and the dramatic Tramuntana mountain range and it is easy to see why Mallorca is fast becoming an incredibly popular climbing destination. Whether you are a complete beginner looking for a friendly introduction to a new and exciting sport or a well-travelled rock climber looking for fresh challenges then Mallorca is for you.
Rock climbing in Mallorca is well established, with plenty of routes on mainly bolted limestone with single and multi-pitch routes to explore. A huge draw to the visiting rock climber is the variety of routes on offer, sheer slab walls, steep overhanging roofs, juggy tufas and cracks on pristine limestone, for both sport and traditional climbing, so there really is something for everyone.
When to come climbing in Mallorca?
The best time to visit for climbing in when the island is quieter (September to May) when the roads are clear, the accommodation ample and the temperature perfect. That said, with a little research, a hire car and a few early starts it is possible to enjoy climbing in Mallorca throughout the year. Even in August there are cooler mountain crags, tucked away walls and of course deep water soloing
Canyoning
Canyoning is a really good choice if you're looking for a bit of adventure during your holiday. Mallorca’s mountains, rivers and streams provide the perfect natural playground, with plenty of jumps, abseils and water slides to tackle along the way. Guided descents are offered by various adventure companies, with routes ranging from easy options for beginners to more demanding ones for experienced canyoners. You’ll need to be able to swim, and while the activity isn’t suitable for very young children, most companies welcome anyone over the age of eight. Do check the age policies in advance, as children under around 14 usually need to be accompanied by an adult unless they’re part of a dedicated kids’ group.
Watersports in Mallorca
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Canyoning, Mallorca
Mallorca has a great variety of canyons suitable from beginner level to advanced, with each of them offering a unique experience.
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Canyoning, Mallorca Island
Located in Palma de Mallorca
Enjoy an exhilarating day trekking and scrambling through gorges, waterfalls and jumping into giant rock pools.
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Karakorum Adventure, Cala Ratjada
Located in Capdepera
Karakorum offer hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and canyoning throughout Mallorca.
Coasteering
Coasteering is similar to canyoning, it involves climbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming, but this particular sport takes place along the coastline. It's great for those that like a bit of an adventure and want to try their hand at a number of different disciplines, as well as a good way to explore remote coastal areas and get that rush of adrenaline. Whether you are a complete adrenaline junkie or just coming across this sport for the first time, adventure companies tailor the routes, whilst taking into consideration the ages and abilities of your members of the group. Everyone can give it a go!
Things To Do in Mallorca
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Coasteering
Located in Alcudia
Coasteering in Mallorca is the ultimate coastal adventure. Discover hidden coves, sea caves and dramatic cliffs as you scramble, swim and leap into the clear blue Mediterranean.
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Mon d'Aventura Activity Company
Located in Pollenca
Món d'Aventura is a Mallorcan company dedicated to active, imaginative and adventurous people of all ages who like outdoor pursuits and to discover adventure in Majorca.
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Coasteering & Sea Caving Trip
Feel like a true adventurer with this adrenaline fueled activity.
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Coasteering, Mallorca
Located in Port d'Alcudia
A fantastic and fun way to explore the Mallorcan coastline with friends and family!
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Coasteering
Located in Palma de Mallorca
An exhilarating rock and water activity suitable for families and adrenaline-junkies, a great way to explore the coastline of Mallorca.
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Mills & Honey Guides & Tours
Located in Palma de Mallorca
This cycling holiday company welcomes all types of cyclists from complete beginners to those who are advanced. Catering from one day private guiding to full package holidays.
Indoor climbing
On the outskirts of Palma there are a couple of indoor climbing centres. The largest, in the north-west, features over 30 high climbing routes and a bouldering area; they even have facilities to practice circus acrobatics, including a trapeze, and offer indoor and outdoor climbing lessons and courses for children. The other one is located inside the massive FAN Mallorca shopping centre, near the airport.
Sports & Fitness in Mallorca
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Doble 8 Indoor Climbing Centre
Located in Palma de Mallorca
Located on the outskirts of Palma, this is the highest indoor climbing centre in Mallorca, also offering indoor and outdoor courses.
Caves & Rocks
Rock climbing
Mallorca is without a doubt one of Europe’s most beautiful and varied sports climbing hotspots. An abundance of top quality limestone means that the island has an unparalleled variety of routes of all grades - suitable for experienced and beginner climbers. Mallorca's expert climbing guides will show you the best routes on the island and teach you to climb if you're new to the sport. Some of the most famous areas for rock climbing are located near Valldemossa, where you will find the Sa Gubia and Fraguel crags, in the Serra de Tramuntana islands or the Cap de Formentor.
Caving and pot-holing
Mallorca is famous for its caves, so escape the sun for a few hours and explore a sea cave adventure with an experienced guide. You don't need to have done caving or potholing before because Mallorca’s vertical cave systems are a perfect introduction to the underground world of caving. Caving companies tend to offer these tours between April and October.
Climbing hotspots
It is always difficult advising someone on the best area for climbing in Mallorca as the climbing venues are spread throughout the island. However, one of the great attractions of Mallorca is its compact size and its good road network. This allows all of the crags to be visited from wherever you end up staying. The summer months will see the climbers predominantly heading to the high mountain crags, shady valleys and of course the deep water soloing venues. The winter will see the return of the climbers to the hotter east coast and southwest areas.
Most of the established climbs are in the Tramuntana Mountains in the northwest of Mallorca. The mountains also mean a cooler climate in climb in and give you the added luxury of glorious sea views. There are also several areas on the east coast of Mallorca which offer ideal climbs for beginners.
For those new to the sport that are looking for well-bolted climbs in a stunning location, you must visit Cala Magraner on the east coast, just north of Cales de Mallorca (65 routes from grade 3 upwards). For the seasoned sports climber looking to challenge themselves against some of the finest lines in Europe then you can’t beat Alaro in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains, just to the west of Binissalem (65+ routes from grade 5 to 8). And of course, Mallorca’s prime climbing area is Sa Gubia, also in the foothills of the Tramuntana to the west of Bunyola (125+ routes from grade 4 – 8). There are also venues like Fraguel (also near Bunyola) and Gorg Blau (high in the mountains on the road from Soller to Escorca) perfect for the rock gods who are content to spend their days working impossibly hard routes (55+ routes each from 5 to 8c+).
Multi-pitch routes
Mallorca also has opportunities for the more adventurous multi-pitch climbers. The huge amphitheatre of Sa Gubia offers a wealth of classic fully bolted longer climbs. Sa Gubia is also home to a seven-pitch traditional route which follows the long Albahida ridge line that dominates the area. There is also no shortage of venues still to be explored and developed. The island is dotted with impressive spires of rock just crying out to be climbed. Despite new climbing areas being equipped constantly there is still enough untouched rock here to last a lifetime.
Deep water soloing (Psicobloc)
Mallorca has recently become world famous as a deep water soloing venue, with world-class climbers like Chris Sharma visiting during the summer and autumn months. The deep water soloing (known locally as Psicobloc) is excellent in Mallorca. There are numerous sea cliff venues, particularly in the south-east of the island, covered in pockets, juggy tufas, cracks and crimps catering for many styles. There is Cova del Diablo (just to the north of Porto Cristo), home to the world’s best lines; Cala Serena (north Cala d'Or), the largest venue on the island with almost 100 separate lines and Cala Barques (just south of Porto Cristo), an incredibly popular quality deep water soloing playground to name but a few. The routes start from as short as five metres to as high as twenty metres and grades range from 4+ to 8a. In the past climbers have been wild camping at some of the venues, this has caused many problems with the landowners and the police. Please don’t do it.
More inspiration...
Written by Sam Shelley
Sam Shelley is a UK MIA qualified climbing instructor with Rock and Ride – Mallorca. They are able to offer advice on everything you need to know for a successful climbing holiday in Mallorca. Get in touch with them for more information on climbing courses, guided multi-pitch adventures, advanced coaching, deep water soloing and much more
