One of the most beautiful rock climbing areas in Europe, El Chorro, is situated approx. 50 km to the northwest of Málaga and the airport. Finca Las Nuevas is a beautiful operating base to visit this area.
The Garganta del Chorro or the gorge where the Guadalhorce river flows, with walls up to 400m is a beautiful setting for climbers. Sometimes you have to walk a little to the beginning of the route, as the gorge is 4km long and in some places only 10m wide. It is definitely worth the walk. The environment is really beautiful.
The routes
There are hundreds of rock climbing routes in the area around El Chorro. Some say, there are more than 800. Well-known, steep rocks in this area are: Las Encantadas, Los Cotoes, Makinodromo and Las Frontales. The routes vary in terms of difficulty, making this area suitable for both beginners and advanced climbers. If you want to climb in a different area, you should go to El Torcal or the more distant gorge.
The best climbing period in Andalusia
Southern Spain has a lovely Mediterranean climate. Summers are therefore warm, but too hot to climb. The mild winters make this area ideal for climbing in fall and winter. The best period to climb is from October to April. In winter it can be quite chilly in the morning, especially in the gorge, but you will always find a sunny route in this area.