June 12, 2018

Where should we go climbing with kids in Europe










Although I haven't been active on blogger in a few years, I still randomly receive e-mails from people asking where they should go climbing with kids during various times of the year. Here are my thoughts....

If you have a little one, under four, and you don't have friends or a third wheel to help belay, you better stick to a bouldering trip. The best place to go bouldering in Europe? Font. Hands down. Great with kids of any age if you like bouldering. Great landing areas everywhere. 

If it is summer, Aland Islands (Finland) was my second favorite bouldering destination we went to in Europe with kids. Although I love bouldering in Switzerland, Italy and Austria, they were not as easy or concentrated with problems as Font or Aland. The landings were not as flat or easy to hang out with little ones. 

If your kids are older and enjoy sport climbing, or you have friends to go on the climbing trip with, these are my favorite places to go sport climbing with kids during the various seasons in Europe. 

Winter - Southern France. Seynes was sunny and warm and great for a week long Christmas trip. Arco, Italy. Finale Ligure. All three are sunny, dry, and have great limestone. 

Summer - The Frankenjura, Germany. Gorge du Tarn, France. I would not recommend Ceuse with kids unless they are older than 6. The hike is epic. 

Fall/Spring - Sardinia, Siciliy, and Mallorca are all great with kids and have beaches and climbing! 

I'd love to hear in the comments other places you all recommend. I'll have to get my husbands opinions as well on best places to go with kids and add that in. 

Good luck in your planning!