Climbing in Mallorca

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.