Climbing on vacation – off to the mountains!
Climbing is a popular leisure sport.
But where is the best place to go?
Here we show you five beautiful places in Germany and three more in Austria that you can also reach for a camping trip with a roof tent over the weekend.
You should pay particular attention to your own abilities and previous experience.
If you want to know more about climbing in general, you’ll find it here: Learn to climb.
Camping Ratgeber:
Altmühl Valley
We start with the Altmühltal.
This popular tourist destination in Bavaria has a varied selection of climbing routes.
The gray limestone is particularly fun to climb.
This can be a little more challenging, as cracks form quickly in limestone, but you can often place belays very easily here.
Nevertheless, the climbing routes here are often very steep, so you should bring some climbing experience with you for the Altmühltal.
Climbing in the Altmühltal at a glance:
- Versatile selection of routes
- Gray limestone (attention: cracks)
- More challenging, steep walls
- Therefore: Better with previous experience
The Altmühltal has convinced you?
You can read more about it here:
Not feeling confident on the rocks yet?
No problem, you can also climb very well in the Altmühltal. Hiking or you can look at one of the following destinations:
Bavarian Forest
The Bavarian Forest is one of the regions that offer you many different routes – even for beginners.
Most of the climbing routes are well secured and the terrain is child-friendly, so you can take the whole family with you.
One of the most popular crags in the Bavarian Forest is the Kaitersberg.
It has around 200 different climbing routes.
The view is particularly beautiful once you reach the top.
This is what makes the Bavarian Forest a climbing region:
- Many different routes
- Mostly well secured
- Terrain is child-friendly
- Popular rock: Kaitersberg
- Approx. 200 routes & good views
Have you acquired a taste for it?
Find out more about the Bavarian Forest here:
Resin
The Harz mountains boast predominantly easy climbing routes.
Beginners can also go climbing here with a mountain guide.
Many holidaymakers choose the Oker Valley for climbing.
This is a versatile climbing area with climbing routes of all levels of difficulty.
The big advantage: the via ferratas are very close to each other, so you can switch between the climbing routes on foot.
Here’s what you need to know about climbing in the Harz Mountains:
- Predominantly easy climbing routes
- Suitable for beginners with a mountain guide
- Popular vacation destination in the Harz Mountains: Oker Valley
- Oker valley = all levels of difficulty
- Via ferrata changeable on foot
You can find out more about nature-oriented camping vacations in the Harz Mountains here:
Near Dresden
One of the most popular climbing areas in Germany is the Elbe Sandstone.
Here you will find routes for beginners and advanced climbers amidst almost vertical rocks.
This mountain range is part of Saxon Switzerland, very close to Dresden.
Bonus: Due to its proximity to the city of Dresden, you can easily go climbing on a day trip.
If you want to use your vacation in Dresden for a climbing trip, you should pay attention to these things:
- Popular climbing area: Elbe Sandstone Mountains
- Climbing routes for beginners & advanced climbers
- Elbe Sandstone is in Saxon Switzerland
- Proximity to the city of Dresden (excursion possibilities)
In addition to adventurous climbing areas, the surroundings of the East German city offer you much more:
Black Forest
The fabulous nature of the Black Forest is criss-crossed by many climbing areas.
Real climbing fans are particularly enthusiastic about the Battert, Albbruck and Ruine Falkenstein climbing areas.
Most of the routes in these areas are well secured.
In Albbruk in particular, you will find a short approach so that you don’t have to walk too long before you can venture up the mountain.
You should remember this about climbing in the Black Forest:
- 3 climbing areas: Battert, Albbruck & Falkenstein ruins
- In the Black Forest: most climbing routes = well secured
- In Albbruck: short approach (short footpath to climb)
In addition to climbing, you can also go on vacation in the Black Forest.
Find out more here:
Austria
There are also many places in Austria where you can go climbing.
Austria has made its mountain landscape widely accessible to tourists.
You can therefore go hiking here or try your hand at one of the numerous climbing routes.
Would you prefer a destination outside of Lake Achensee, Carinthia or the Zillertal?
You can find more travel tips for Austria here:
Lake Achensee
The Achensee has numerous via ferratas in its repertoire.
There is even a cable car at the Grauwand.
You can climb here all year round.
So ice climbing is also possible here in winter.
Lake Achensee at a glance:
Carinthia
In addition to shimmering lakes, Carinthia also offers fascinating climbing areas.
There is a wide range of climbing guides to accompany you over the rocks.
You can also climb here all year round on various types of rock at different levels of difficulty.
A very versatile region for all climbing enthusiasts.
Find out more about the picturesque region in Austria here:
Zillertal
The Zillertal also offers many exciting routes for beginners and advanced skiers.
Particularly popular places here are “the eternal hunting grounds” and Mayrhofen.
There are via ferratas suitable for children and also developed elements, such as in a high ropes course.
These two climbing areas in the Zillertal therefore offer variety for the whole family.
Find out more about vacations in the Zillertal here:
But how does climbing actually work?
Have you chosen the right destination?
Bravo, then you’re ready to go.
But beware: before you embark on your climbing adventure, it can help if you take a look at the basics or brush up on them again.
You can read tips for real climbing enthusiasts about common mistakes, the first steps on the mountain and the right equipment for climbing here:
