10 Awe-Inspiring Rock Climbing Destinations Around the Globe

With the new 164-foot wall attached to the side of a hotel in Nevada, we decided it was a great time to highlight some of the coolest climbing walls around the world. Faith Norris from Low-Cost Holidays has shared a list of the top 10 must-visit climbing walls globally. So, get ready, harness up, and let’s explore!

First, the Whitney Park Hotel in Reno features a 164-foot climbing wall attached to its side, roughly the height of four double-decker buses stacked on top of each other. Both hotel guests and the public can tackle this climb and enjoy the views over Reno. Plus, there are two side-by-side walls, allowing you to race a friend to the top.

To prepare, consider some cardio exercises to build stamina. Running or rowing can be particularly helpful, especially if you do 30 minutes of cardio three times a week in the month leading up to your trip.

Next up is the Diga di Luzzone dam in Switzerland, which has the tallest climbing wall in the world at 540 feet. Not for the faint-hearted, this climb lets you scale the sheer face of the dam, which holds a staggering 108 million cubic meters of water. Just try not to look down!

To get ready for such a challenge, practice climbing on walls using just one color of stone, which most gyms offer. Also, do three sets of 30 squats three times a week to strengthen your legs.

In Prague’s Gutovka Park, you’ll find the largest outdoor climbing wall in the Czech Republic. It features 85 climbs of varying difficulty across a diameter of 265 feet and a height of 50 feet. The park also offers an ice rink, skate park, and treetop adventure course.

To enhance your grip for this climb, use a squeeze ball and perform exercises that strengthen your arms and wrists.

In Washington’s Marymoor Park, you can discover a smaller but challenging climbing wall with tricky upside-down sections requiring good upper body strength. The park also features a velodrome, perfect for pairing a morning climb with an afternoon cycle.

Improve your core and arm strength with push-ups, aiming for five sets of 20 three times a week.

The Illoiha fitness center in Tokyo offers a climb inspired by “Alice in Wonderland,” where you grapple with deer heads, picture frames, mirrors, and birdcages instead of regular rock fixtures.

For this unique climb, practice climbing without a rope to build confidence and skill.

Holland’s Excalibur wall is the tallest freestanding climbing wall in the world at 125 feet. It offers both challenging and easier routes, so climbers of various skill levels can enjoy it.

Prepare with push-ups and consider attending boxercise classes to boost your arm strength and cardio fitness.

Manchester’s St Benedict’s Church has been saved from demolition and converted into a climbing arena, with walls up to 66 feet high. As you climb, you’ll get fabulous views of the stained glass windows.

Bench dips and cardio training are ideal preparations for this climb.

The University of Twente in Enschede has its climbing wall, making it a fantastic extracurricular activity for students.

To get ready, do planks for two minutes daily to build core stability and strength.

Auckland’s Extreme Edge Climbing Centre features 30 themed walls, ideal for getting kids into climbing. Themes range from a dinosaur skeleton to a giant beanstalk and even a pirate ship.

Shoulder shrugs can help build the necessary muscle strength without risking injury.

In Germany, Wunderland’s central attraction is an old nuclear plant cooling tower, now featuring a 130-foot climbing wall on the outside and a giant swing ride inside.

Strengthen your upper body and core with wide grip chin-ups, doing five sets of ten reps three times a week.

These are some of the world’s coolest climbing walls, from quirky designs to repurposed buildings turned into climbers’ paradises. Have you tried any of these, or do you know of other amazing climbing spots? We’d love to hear about them!