Rochers de Néviau - Dave Rock Climbing

Popular since the 1930’s, with slippery, well-polished routes to match, Dave has a very short approach from a nice parking lot. Well bolted, most routes are under a half rope pitch in length, and there are a few that go for two pitches.

A compact crag with gobs of routes (nearly 200) ranging from 2 to hard 7, there’s a bit of everything at Dave. Some of the central cliff configuration, with large overhangs above lower angle slab faces, makes for a fine option for cragging in the rain.

Aspect is west to south facing. The tallest cliff section is around 70 meters or so high.

A set of quickdraws and a 60m rope would suffice for most routes, but, some run outs would be mitigated by a small selection of nuts and cams.

There are a number of secteurs, from climber’s left to right:

Les Autrichiens

46 routes from 2 to 6c. Some easy multi pitch routes with some well spaced fixed protection. On the right side of this area is a short tower: Bloc du Parachute. Just to the right and the descent for a number of these routes is a gully with an old WW2 vintage pillbox at the bottom.

Rochers de Néviau

126 from 3 to 7c+. The main, most popular area of the crag. Containing Secteur Cosmos, Secteur Central, and Secteur Super Vol et Yeti.

Rochers du Bivouac et de L'Oubliée

25 routes from 3 to 7a+ and located on the far right side of the area.

Dave has somewhat of an urban crag feel, with railroad tracks above the river, and nearby road traffic. The climbing is on compact, solid, dark and smooth limestone and tends to be somewhat tricky. Some routes might seem graded rather stiffly.