Competitive climber and writer Natalie Berry selects her favourite ascents – for all abilities As a young girl of nine , I stumbled upon a mobile climbing tower in a car park one drizzly Saturday morning . At the time , I couldn ’ t have imagined the beautiful places that the sport would eventually take me . That early period saw me devoted to indoor competition climbing , a discipline that is set to make its Olympic debut this summer . Training , travelling and competing as part of the GB climbing team resulted in national titles and international podiums . But as I grew more independent , I discovered rock climbing . Ascents in scenic landscapes across Europe – high in the thin air of the mountains , or above taunting waves on a sunny coastal cliff – were just the antidote to the routine and repetition of elite sport . The author on the Plan de l ’ Aiguille hiking trailMy favourite climbs require a delicate balance of technique , strength and mental composure . From a challenging first female ascent of a route near my childhood home in Scotland to high - altitude climbs in the French Alps , I never tire of the variety and adventure that the sport offers . Beyond the daredevil cliché that can distort it , there is an enriching fusion of people and place : a chance to see the world from new perspectives . Here are a few of my favourite destinations across the continent … 1 The Dolomites , ItalyLynne Hempton climbing Torre Grande in the Dolomites , Italy © James RushforthA Unesco World Heritage Site , the Dolomites are both stunningly beautiful and steeped in history . These jagged limestone towers were a bloody battleground during the first world war . A network of tunnels mined by soldiers remains , repurposed as vie ferrate : secured iron pathways that can be traversed as a leisure activity . For rock climbers , the Cinque Torri and Sass de Stria are accessible starting points in what can be an intimidating – but also awe - inspiring – landscape with Alpine weather systems and impressive storms . The altitude here ranges from 1 , 200 - 3 , 300 m , so tuck in to the rich local cuisine , including cured meats , cheeses , polenta and dumplings . Book a rifugio ( mountain hut ) for a true Alpine experience . dolomites . org 2 Chamonix , FranceRidge climbing in the Aiguilles Rouges across the valley from the Mont Blanc range © Chris Prescott – Dark Sky MediaThe bustling town at the foot of Mont Blanc has evolved from a quaint Alpine village to an extreme - sports capital . From Les Gaillands , a roadside rockface in the valley , to more adventurous climbs at altitude in the Aiguilles Rouges , variety is Chamonix ’ s main attraction . The must - do cable - car trip up to the Aiguille du Midi summit brings you to 3 , 842 m in just 20 minutes . If you ’ ve got a head for heights and crampon skills , try a guided climb of the famous Cosmiques Arête , which starts and ends at the Aiguille du Midi lift station . Post - climb relaxation can be found at the QC Terme spa , or rent one of the numerous chalets with a hot tub . Refuel with tartiflette or raclette , washed down with a glass of Haute - Savoie vin rouge . chamonix . com . Chamonix - based British Mountain Guide , bmg . org . uk . QC Terme Spa , qcterme . com 3 Costa Blanca , SpainJohn McKenna in the Hidden Valley in Spain ’ s Costa Blanca © Chris Prescott – Dark Sky MediaDon ’ t be put off by the concrete jungle of Costa Blanca ’ s tourist towns . The area boasts perfect orange limestone to accompany its year - round Mediterranean sunshine . Climb above the waves or on the less - exposed north side of the sublime Sierra de Toix ridge , which juts into the sea beside Calpe . Inland , the hillside crags near Finestrat and Sella overlook fragrant orange groves in a bucolic setting . If the athletic climbs exhaust your arms , a scramble along the Bernia Ridge – Costa Blanca ’ s breathtaking answer to Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye – is perfect for “ active recovery ” . Hire a guide for the iconic 300 m Peñón de Ifach above Calpe , or the 1 , 400 m Puig Campana . Camping and villa rental , theorangehouse . co . uk ; from € 7 pitches to € 2 , 400 exclusive use 4 Paklenica , CroatiaRhiannon Williams in Velika Paklenica gorge , Croatia © Stephen HorneThe winding gorge of Velika Paklenica is a hidden gem on the Adriatic . Up front , this bike - friendly 14 km corridor of grey karst limestone offers easy climbing and cafés in caves ; deeper in lie more adventurous routes on the rockface of Anića Kuk . Further hiking leads to the summit of Vaganski Vrh , the highest peak in the Velebit mountains . Rent a cottage in the old harbour town of Starigrad , or book a night in the Paklenica Mountain Hut to make the most of one of Europe ’ s “ last wildernesses ” – but watch out for reptiles . Return to civilisation with a hearty stew or blitva in Zadar and a hard - earned day at the beach . Dinko Buffet , a climbers ’ favourite , dinko - paklenica . com . Hotel Rajna , for rooms and bike hire , hotel - rajna . com . Paklenica climbing guidebook , paklenica - croatia . com . Paklenica Mountain Hut , np - paklenica . hr 5 Fontainebleau , FranceBouldering at Fontainebleau , an hour outside of Paris © Nick BrownOne hour south - east of Paris , the historic Fontainebleau Forest is a jumble of sculpted sandstone boulders – including a dog , an elephant and a crocodile . You won ’ t need ropes ; bouldering requires only climbing shoes , a safety mat and a chalk bag ( plus the customary baguette , cheese and pastries ) . This is a playground fit for children and adults alike , with circuits of climbs numbered throughout the forest in coloured paint , denoting the difficulty levels . These vertical treasure hunts were historically used as training routes for the loftier climbs of the Alps . Rent a traditional gîte for a family trip , or stay at a luxury hotel in the environs of the ornate Château de Fontainebleau . Fontainebleau Climbs guidebook , v - publishing . co . uk . Gîtes de France , gites - de - france . com 6 Mallorca , SpainEmily Harrington deep - water soloing on Mallorca ’ s Cova del Diablo © Paul PhillipsThe Balearic island is famous for its golden beaches , steep road - cycling climbs and 300 days of sun per year . These qualities also make it an attractive rock - climbing destination , with the option of cooling off in the sea afterwards . Cala Magraner gives routes straight off the beach , while Sa Gubia in the verdant Serra de Tramuntana mountains offers elevated climbs with spectacular views across the island . If you ’ re feeling brave , deep - water soloing involves climbing above water without ropes ; Mallorca is the birthplace of the discipline , boasting some of the world ’ s hardest and scariest climbs . Test the water on easy low ‑ level sea traverses at Cala Barques . Rent a villa in Valldemossa , a charming mountain village , or one of the port towns . infomallorca . net 7 Lofoten Islands , NorwayAlan James climbing Presten in Norway ’ s Lofoten islands © Mark Glaister “ Arctic archipelago ” may not suggest a rock - climbing idyll , but in summer Lofoten – inside the Arctic Circle – combines ruggedness with scenic beauty . Jagged granite peaks soar out of the sea , surrounded by turquoise bays and colourful fishing villages . The scale can be daunting , but outcrops such as Paradiset offer shorter climbs . No trip is complete without climbing the Svolværgeita – “ the Goat ” – formed of two rocky spires ; the challenge is to jump between the “ horns ” . For the even more adventurous , try a multi - pitch climb up the 500 m pillar of Presten , which broods over the village of Henningsvær . Settle down to a lunch of fresh fish at the Klatrekaféen , the climbers ’ café ; relax in the cosy cabins of the Lofoten Ski Lodge ; and catch the northern lights from August to April . Lofoten Ski Lodge , lofotenskilodge . com . Northern Alpine Guides , alpineguides . no 8 Sicily , ItalyClimbing in Sicily © Daimon BeailHistorically overlooked by climbers in favour of the more established Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Mallorca , the volcanic island of Sicily is an up - and - coming climbing destination . The limestone crags are close to one another and easy to travel between , from the imposing Monte Monaco , overlooking the aquamarine bay of San Vito lo Capo , to the mountains presiding over the Palermo cityscape . Bouldering on sandstone in the foothills of Mount Etna offers variety and stunning views of Europe ’ s highest active volcano , while Cala Firriato is an ideal location for accessible , low - level deep - water soloing . Relax your aching muscles in one of the natural hot springs , sample the Sicilian delicacies of arancini and cannoli , and admire the island ’ s eclectic fusion of historic architectural influences . visitsicily . info 9 Ticino , SwitzerlandRiverbed bouldering in Brione , Ticino , Switzerland © Lena DrapellaThe southernmost , Italian - speaking Swiss canton is home to the villages of Cresciano , Chironico and Brione : a trio of bouldering areas that combine warmer temperatures with picturesque Alpine settings . The quaint canton capital of Bellinzona is an ideal base ; alternatively , to combine climbing with fine dining and culture , Lake Como is only an hour from Cresciano . Cresciano and Chironico are 30 minutes ’ drive apart and offer granitic gneiss boulders , at a variety of difficulties , in a forest of golden chestnut trees . Brione is an hour from either location with more testing grades , but is arguably the most scenic spot with its tranquil riverbed setting and mountain views . lakecomo . is . ticino . ch . Ticino bouldering guidebooks , ticinoboulder . ch 10 North Wales , UKHazel Findlay on Dinas Mot in north Wales © Chris Prescott – Dark Sky MediaHere you ’ ll find world - class climbing in varied settings , from historic slate quarries to mountain passes and coastal cliffs . At the Llanberis Pass you ’ ll find easy - access crags with plenty of character and spectacular views ; try Carreg Wastad or Dinas Mot . The nearby Llanberis slate quarries are a test of footwork on sleek rock in an ethereal setting , where relics from the slate - mining days remain . A post - climb snack at Pete ’ s Eats , a storied climbers ’ joint , is a must . For the gregarious climber , a trip to Anglesey offers up Holyhead Mountain , a haven of lower - grade traditional climbs with coastal views above Gogarth ’ s sea cliffs . Instructors and courses at Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre , pyb . co . uk . Pete ’ s Eats , petes - eats . co . uk 저작 자 표시