1+day Guided rock climbing in La Pedriza, near Madrid

I invite you to join me for 1 or more days of superb rock climbing in La Pedriza, near Madrid. Well known for it’s quantity and quality of granite slabs, La Pedriza is far more than the cradle of madrilenian climbing. Home to the quintessential friction climbing, the region is highlighted by many beautiful granite domes which offer the ultimate in slab climbing.

It’s a fact that sticky rubber was invented in Madrid and first tested on these rocks. This place has some of the hardest slab routes in the world, up to 8c+. Unique routes where climbing it’s not about strength, it’s about using your feet, which makes this climbing style so different compared to climbing on many other spots.

La Pedriza is so huge that it’s made up of hundreds of domes, cliffs and crags, shaped by erosion into all kind of magical forms. From granite slabs with nice run outs and tons of trad routes to bouldering and steep face climbs, La Pedriza has it all. With thousands of routes and boulders to climb, a whole life does not suffice to explore this massif. The climbing style and the surreal landscape make it a must visit area on any climber’s list.

There is a large variety of single and multi-pitch routes up to 6 pitches. You’ll find stellar routes on El Yelmo (the biggest dome that can be seen from miles away), El Pájaro (with its high concentration of three stars trad routes), La Pared de Santillana (filled with huge holds called setas -mushrooms-) or El Hueso (with its impossible 80 m flake splitting from the main face).

We offer you the chance to climb in this rock paradise, choosing between some of the most recommended routes in the area:

–El Pájaro – Sur Clásica, 190 m, 6a. First done in 1935, it’s an awesome route with a well-deserved reputation which makes it a very popular and craved must-have for any climber! The route features overwhelming cracks, chimneys, slab cruxes and panoramic views from the summit.
–El Yelmo – Hermosilla, 165 m, V. A great classic and a great introduction to harder challenges on El Yelmo. It starts with a brilliant corner on the left hand-side of a huge flake. Once we’ve topped it brilliant slabs bring us to the summit, from where you can get a view of Madrid far in the distance.
–Peña Sirio – Espolón Oeste, 190 m, V-. An excellent introduction to slab climbing with generous protection on the two cruxes and more spaced bolts on the rest. The views from the top are just amazing!
–Pared de Santillana – Sur Clásica, 115 m, 6a. A classic climb with just one peg from the beginning till the end. Surprisingly this cliff offers fun climbing and excellent protection lacing the numerous setas all around, the local name given to huge face holds, some of them which can be as big as a steering wheel.
–El Hueso – Fulgencio, 180 m, 6a. This slender bone shaped splitting from the main wall can be climbed both over and under. The Fulgencio route starts on a great bold chimney that puts us on top on the “bone”. From this point, climbing doesn’t get any better than this. Just impressive!
–El Pájaro – Este, 190 m, 6a. This route cross the East face since the late fiftees. Este had one of the hardest cruxes on its time, the so-called Pillar of Hercules, an intimidating section first done on boots.
-El Yelmo – Guirles-Campos, 130 m, 6a+. It was one of the first routes to smartly attack the blank South face of El Yelmo, which looked utterly impossible then. A master piece that traverses some of the best pitches on El Yelmo.
–El Pájaro – Oeste Clásica, 180 m, 6c. A remarkable route opened in 1965 that has it all: vertical walls, cracks, corners, traverses, slabs and a hole to reach the fourth belay. A futuristic line with a mandatory grade of V+, truly enjoyable.
–El Yelmo – Gálvez-Pascual, 150 m, 6c. One of the most outstanding Pedriza routes, due to the legendary spanish climber Jesús Gálvez. Even though the first two bolts were placed from a nearby route, the rest of the route was opened in great bold style. A route way ahead of its time that changed the limits of what was possible forever since then!

La Pedriza lies in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, just about an hour’s drive north from Madrid. The town of Manzanares el Real is easily accessible on public transportation. From here, crags can be reached in minutes or a few hours depending on your choice. Hiking, biking and bird watching are also very popular in the area.

This programme is an amazing opportunity to climb in one of the best, yet unknown outside of Spain, climbing venues in Europe, diving into a landscape of magical rocks, and experiencing a completely different climbing style that will challenge your balance, your feet and your mind!

Please note you need some previous climbing experience and a good fitness level to join this program.

If you find this proposal tempting, don’t hesitate to send me a request. Book your trip and let’s start planning this unique climbing trip. I will be happy to guide you on the amazing routes of La Pedriza.  You could also have a look at other great climbing programs I also guide in Spain.