Climbing in Europe - mostly Switzerland and France, maybe Italy?

Hi!

I'm going to be visiting my brother who lives in Basel for the month of June. I'm planning to travel around to climb - probably France, Switzerland, and maybe the dolomites? Just wondering if people have suggestions on friendly crags I could maybe show up on my own and find people to climb with? Also, if you're interested, feel free to give me a shout!

Cheers,
Alia

There are about seventeen lifetimes of worthwhile climbing in that geographical area. You could spend hundreds of dollars just on guidebooks. Without some hint about what sort of climbing you most enjoy, it's hard to even start to answer.

When you say "crags", does that mean you're only interested in single-pitch (or half-pitch?) climbing? No longer multi-pitch routes?

Alia, I'm making my way to Europe in June, mostly UK, but I really hope to spend the week of June 17 climbing in the Verdon Gorge in Southern France. Would you be interested and around that week?

The closest great little crag near you is Engelberg. Its about 1.5 hours south southeast of you. Super cool little crag, easy access (cross a golf course), and usually climbers there. Route from like 6b to 8a or so. One of my favorite little cliffs in Swiss. Another one where its easy to meet people and to get to is Neuhaus above Interlaken. Thats probably two hours from Basel. If you get a partner, make sure you go climb a route up at Hintisberg. Faces the Eiger and the Monk. Incredible place... great cheese and meat post climbing at the little resturant below.

hey Alia --

Dolomites pretty far, and possibly still too cold/snowy in June. But so much other stuff worth doing!

Basel area has tons of single pitch limestone accessible within an hour by public transit. Check out Balsthal/Klus, Gempen, and Schauenbergflue near Basel.

scalamalade-areas.com/en/ has a good overview of other areas not on MP.

kletterportal.ch is useful for finding partners. If you will be bringing some gear, that will probably help you out.

Double plus recommendation about Hintisberg, but you'll need a partner ahead of time and much better to go by car.

cheers

Dan

jingo wobbly guide book!