For those, who just want to try it out for the first time, many clubs offer day or weeks courses.
Rock-climbing courses for wannabies and rubbernecks
There are many adrenaline centres and rock-climbing clubs across Slovakia that are best for offering short & intense courses during your Slovakia trip.
Bouldering in Slovakia
You’ll find boulder walls in these towns: Bratislava, Kosice, Poprad, Liptovsky Mikulas, Banska Bystica, Povazska Bystrica, Zilina, Zvolen, Ziar nad Hronom, Senia, Presov, Stara Lubovna, Smizany, Nitra, Zlate Moravce, Komarno, Michalovce, Roznava, Pezinok, Malacky, Trencin, Myjava, Prievidza, Handlova, Martin, Bytca
Rock-climbing places in Slovakia for experienced climbers
Súľov rocks
Súľovské rocks are one of the most famous Slovak areas for sport climbing. The rocks are located in a protected landscape area with 5th degree of protection, due to the presence of rare species of birds. Beautiful towers of remarkable shapes – mushrooms, needles, wrinkled plates, etc. provide 470 well-secured routes of every difficulty that will test both beginners and experienced climbers. Above the rocks along the green mark lies the Súľov Castle, a romantic ruin with beautiful views.
Park in the village of Súľov, from where a 45-minute hiking trail awaits you along the red sign, which will take you to the saddle to the signpost leading to the individual climbing areas.
It is a really popular location for climbers, so you may find that Súľovské skály will be too busy at the time you choose to climb. If so, don’t despair, there are other attractive areas close-by: Manínska tiesňava, Kostolecká tiesňava, and Paštinská Závada . It is worth it to stay in the area for a few days and explore it all climbing.
Some parts of the area are subject to seasonal closures.
Zádielska valley
The largest karst area in Slovakia offers more than 300 single and multi-length routes, sports and traditional routes on white, in some places quite sharp limestone. There are many rock massifs in the area, but in accordance with nature protection only some are allowed for climbing. You will find here 9 large rock formations altogether that can be climbed: Stienka pod Sirotou, Devil’s Wall, Cukrová Homoľa, Altar-Altar, Three-King Ridge, Blood Washer, May Tower, Massif of the Last Chimney, Moon Wall.
Zádiel Valley is located above the village of Zádiel, between the towns of Rožňava (30 km) and Košice (40 km). Access under the wall is on foot along the asphalt road that leads through the entire Zádiel Valley. You can walk through the whole valley in 20-30 minutes.
Climbing is not allowed throughout the year, so you must follow the current guidelines.
Turniská
Above the village of Kojšov sticks a rock grouping Turniská or Turne (the word turna comes from the Eastern dialect and means “a tower”). Rock formations of weathered limestone rise from the middle of a lush mixed forest. There are about 70 rock climbing routes in the area. Undoubtedly the most interesting formation of the area is the Turniská Vault – Turniský Tunnel . It is the largest rock tunnel in eastern Slovakia. It serves as a base for climbers and is unique due to the fact it can be climbed even during the rain.
From the village of Kojšov, you can get to the rocks along the 🟡 yellow tourist sign through the forest next to Studnička Tri kamienky (Three Little Rocks Well). The journey takes about 40 minutes.
Dreveník
The largest travertine mound in Slovakia – Dreveník can be found between the villages of Spišské podhradie and Žehra. It is a national nature reserve that connects breathtaking rock towns, caves and climbing walls. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
The complex of the rock town Dreveník is divided into two main parts: Hell and Heaven. Hell offers a tangle of rock corridors and in Heaven you will find various turrets.
The top plateau of Dreveník will provide you with a unique view of the surroundings (Volovské and Levočské hills, Branisko, Hornád basin). Climbers will enjoy the classic karst formations: ditches and scrapes.
Tomašovský view, Slovak Paradise
The limestone rock formation, which is located 2 km south of the village of Spišské Tomášovce, is called Tomášovský view or “Tomašák”. Climbing was happening here even before the First World War.
A 250m wide and 30-40m high rocky wall is part of the Prielom Hornádu canyon. Here you will find about 100 routes of varying difficulty, secured by fixed points.
From the highest point there are beautiful views of the Hornád valley and Biely potok and also of the High Tatras.
Climbers can park in the adjacent village of Ďurkovec, on a paid guarded parking lot. The journey to Tomašák takes about 20 minutes from here.
You can climb Tomašák all year round, but climbers like it best on warm sunny days.
Havrania rock
In the Little Carpathians on the eastern ridge of Zárub, you will find the Havrania skala (or Havranica) climbing area. This name is popularly used by locals, but in fact the peak Havranica is located about a kilometer from here.
There are mostly climbing routes with easier difficulty, but also a few more challenging ones. In total, there are about 40 routes. Local climbers warn about loosening rocks and recommend a helmet.
You can get to the rocks from the town of Smolenice. First, head to the castle along the 🔵 blue tourist sign (30 minutes walk) and at the point where the route meets the forest path, continue straight up the paved sidewalk (about an hour’s walk).
Pajštún
The limestone castle rock Pajštún has a rich climbing history that begins shortly after the First World War. The rock is very popular and is often heavily occupied by climbers.
Due to its popularity and easy accessibility, many locals call it the “Mecca of Bratislava climbers”. Both beginners and masters will be engaged. You will find here about 70 different routes with a length of 25-30m.
You can easily get to Pajštún from the village of Borinka following the 🔴 red tourist sign.
Kalamárka near Detva
Andesite reef Kalamárka can be found in the foothills of Poľana. It is a real paradise for climbers with dozens of challenging and less demanding routes. Excellent location, easy access and available camping opportunities attract climbers from the area. Here you will find one of the most beautiful rock routes of Slovakia – the Indian, do not miss it.
You can get to immediate vicinity of the climbing area by car, but it is worth walking from Detva on a footpath, which is about 2 km long and is located in a pleasant forest environment.
Climbers climb here all year round.
Slnečné skaly, Rajecká valley (“Sunny rocks”)
Porúbka is one of the most visited climbing sites in northern Slovakia. Slnečné rocks are located between the villages of Rajecké Teplice – Poluvsie and Porúbka, about 12 km from Žilina. There are limestone walls, well-secured paths with a height of 20 to 30 meters, but there are also 2-length paths (about 50 m).
The variety of rock formations in the system of dolomite rocks will attract many climbers and tourists. You can admire needles, “dragon teeth”, little cave and rocky window. The area provides a wide variety of routes of varying difficulty. Beginning climbers as well as professionals will get their money’s worth.
You can get to Slnečné skaly from Rajecké Teplice by following the 🔵 blue tourist sign. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.
Dolný Jelenec near Banská Bystrica (Staré Hory)
An extensive limestone rock area with about 200 routes, that beginners and pro climbers alike can enjoy. The character of rocks is dominated by joints, fissures and holes of various sizes and shapes. From a climbing point of view, there are representations of almost any type of catch.
The location, also known abroad, is rich in fauna and flora. About a kilometer away from Jelenec is another popular climbing rock Šturec.
You can get to the rocks from the village of Staré hory, Dolný Jelenec or the village of Motyčky.
Belá near Terchová
These limestone rocks in Little Fatra Mountains with south-oriented walls are one of the five areas reserved for climbing in Mala Fatra. It features plenty of overhangs, but also routes for beginners. This area is suitable not only for climbing, but also for mystical watching of wild boars.
From the village of Belá you can get to the rocks along the 🟡 yellow tourist sign. It really only takes a few minutes.
Climbers climb here all year round.
Sekaniny, Lehota pod Vtáčnikom
The beautiful andesite climbing area Sekaniny is located in Bašková valley and has great potential. You will find here about 400 routes of varying difficulty with a length of 25m. Many of them are marked directly on the rock with information about the difficulty. Some paths are hidden in the shade which is extremely enjoyable on summer days. There are three main climbing areas: Salamandra, Central Rocks and Over a bunker.
Access the rocks from Lehota pod Vtáčnikom village, from where you can get to the cottage area Sekaniny. From there head to the ski lift and further along the broken road for about 4 km, at the end of which you will see a parking space for about 20 cars. From there, it is only about 10 minutes along the forest path.
There usually are no climbing closures in the area, but it’s a good idea to check before you go.
Hrádok, Kamenec pod Vtáčnikom
The highest andesite rock in Slovakia can be found in the Vtáčnik mountain range in the Bystričianská valley under the name of Hrádok, which offers a really specific way of climbing along the slats in compact plates and overhangs.
It is located at an altitude of 662m and is 400m wide. There are about 80 routes, mostly of medium difficulty, but there are also more and less demanding ones.
In the summer months, the sun heat makes climbing difficult here, which is why the area is sought after in the spring and autumn.
Get there from Kamenec pod Vtáčnikom. From there, follow the forest asphalt to the crossroads of Gepniarová and Bystričianská valleys (2km). Continue over the bridge to the parking lot (0.5km). You will get to the rocks in a few minutes. Alternatively, arrive from the Gepniar Valley. From the large car park by the Kamenský stream, cross the bridge and turn right to the amphitheater. Continue along the forest tractor path to the second stream (about 10 minutes). Then head slightly to the right and steeply up. You’re at the finish line in a few minutes.
Sitno, Štiavnické vrchy
The Sitno towers of the Štiavnica Mountains, surrounded by myths and legends, are considered the cradle of European tourism.
One of the most famous andesite climbing areas in Slovakia is located about 10 km from Banská Štiavnica and provides airy and endurance climbing in fairytale nature, where the height of the walls reaches 10 to 50 m, so there is a possibility of two-length routes, but also winter climbing.
Get to Počúvadlianske lake by car or bus, from there on foot (45 min, elevation gain 300 m) along the 🟢 green sign.
