Recommendations for Spain in early May

Hey all,

I am planning on flying into Barcelona in early May and looking for recommendations for crags to go to. I have never been but am stoked for the opportunity.

Looking to climb sport routes mostly between 12a-13a (7a+ to 7c+). I was in Kalymnos last year at the same time and it is my favorite crag ever so would love something tufa'ish/different than climbing in the states if possible, but weather/seepage/wall orientation/etc. is the most important.

I would also be open to suggestions for other European areas outside of Spain as I haven't booked my travel yet.

Thank you!

Hi!

I live in Margalef (2'5 hours from Barcelona by car) with my boyrfriend and we totally recommend the area for early May. Depending on the weather, you can choose either shady or sunny sectors, each with dozens of routes of all grades (plenty of 7ths). The climbing is not very tuff-ish, more like moderately steep walls with all kind of pockets and features, but still very different to the states. The landscape is beautiful, the people are nice and almost all the routes are very safe and well bolted.

Hope it helps! Let me know if you decide to come to Margalef and maybe we can recommend some sectors if we are around! And, of course, enjoy Spain and our crazy hard climbing :)

All the pictures I've seen and read about Margalef have totally sold me on going next year. Is May the best month for climbing there? (I'd rather be on the warmer side than cooler if possible). Where you recommend to stay? Hostel? Hotel? B&b? Camp?

Hey Ben!

I'm glad you are planning a trip to Margalef, You will not be disappointed!

Yo can climb there all year long, although winter is the high season. It has lots of winter sectors with awesome temperature during sunny days (short sleeves in December!). But it can definitely get cold if it's cloudy or windy, so if you prefer warmer temperatures I would recommend climbing in the shadow during late spring/early summer (May-June). There are lots of sectors in the shadow, so you will have plenty of options and the crag will be less crowded.

There is a good climbing refuge (el Racó de la Finestra) for around 13 euros/day. It's well equipped although it can become a bit noisy. There are also more expensive options (hostels and rental apartments). Ca Calbet is a beautiful hostel that includes breakfast and a huge post-climbing homemade dinner for a very competitive prize. And for the very budget conscious, you can camp for free on a tent at the designed areas (next to the village of Margalef or around the dam). You can also pay for showers at some places, wash your clothes in the refuge and fill water from the village fountain. There is a small and quite expensive shop for super basic shopping (groceries and chalk LOL). If you rent a car, Lleida is 45 minutes far from Margalef and you can buy everything you need.

Hope it helps. Let me know if I missed something :)

Have a blast in Margalef!

Thanks for the reply Marina! Margalef is where I was thinking but was finding mixed opinions on going there in May. Do you know how good Rodellar is in May? Just as a back up option in case 1 gets rain or is unusually hot. Thanks again!

Hi Dustin!

I think the weather in Rodellar will be pretty much the same than here, maybe a bit cooler because it's higher and further from the sea. There are shadow and sun sectors there as well. The main problem are the restrictions because of the birds making their nests in the cliffs. Some sectors are only open from August to December.

A very rainy or really hot May is unlikely in Margalef. Here it doesn't rain much at all (even during fall or winter), and even if it does, it doesn't last much and the rock dries quickly. And about the hot weather, May is not usually a very hot month, and we've been able to climb here even during the hottest days of summer in the shadowy sectors, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I still think is a great month to visit Margalef :)

Good luck and have fun!

Siurana is a classic place too!! We were there in the Fall though.

mountainproject.com/v/siura…