~ Top 10 Rock Climbing Destinations ~

[MysteRy]

Top 10 Rock Climbing Destinations


1. Mount Roraima, Venezuela   



Mount Roraima is located on the border between Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. It is part of Guiana Shield in Canaima National Park, which extends over an area of 30,000 square km. Early explorers described the mountains towering above the jungle in South America as an amazing and incomparable. These stories have served as inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle's book "The Lost World", which depicts an isolated place inhabited by dinosaurs. The prehistoric creatures are fiction, but the mountain is real in its pristine beauty. Mount Roraima is the highest of the so-called Tepui - it is 2810 m high mountain plateau, considered one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back to two billion years ago. A fantasy world of valleys, sand, fog, cracks, rocks, lakes and waterfalls as well as unique mixture of endemic flora and fauna will be revealed in front of you. Roraima is one of the best places for rock climbing in South America, but it takes special training and equipment.

[MysteRy]

2. Grampians National Park, Australia   



Grampians National Park is a beautiful mountain area in western Victoria, Australia. It has various landscapes - forests covered with fern gullies, eucalyptus trees, subalpine forests, groves, desert lands, meadows with wild flowers and marshes. There are various animals and birds contributing to the heavenly beauty of this place. MacKenzie Falls located there is stunning and is especially beautiful in the pouring rain. The park offers many trails that lead to outdoor places where one can observe the beautiful valleys and lakes around. In the mountainous region can be practiced rafting, rock climbing, downhill rock with a rope, cycling, canoeing and bird watching. One of the major attractions of the park is its incomparable collection of interesting Aboriginal art representatives. Aboriginal tribes have a long and deep relationship with the Grampians and there are many places in the park where you can admire ancient art works. The area is a famous rock climbing destination and is a favourite place for camping of many adventurers and lovers of picturesque views and unspoilt beauty.

[MysteRy]

3. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA   



National Monument "Canyon de Celly" is located in Colorado Plateau, northern Arizona and includes several canyons - "Canyon De Celly," "Death Valley" and "Monument". It was founded in 1931 and covers an area of 84 thousand acres, part of which is also the reserve "Navajo". Although, it is controlled by the national government, the land is owned by the Navajo people who still inhabit these lands .The area has been inhabited by them for over 2500 years, and its historical development was separated into several periods with great historical significance. One of the most remarkable sites of Northern Arizona is Spider Rock, which is the intersection of Canyon De Celly and Monument Canyon. It consists of two stone towers with a height of about 800 steps and is considered to be a spiritual place for locals. Most visitors go there to see the canyon, whose ancient ruins are spectacular as well as to enjoy the unique experience to climb the reddish rocks.

[MysteRy]

4. Cordillera del Paine, Chile   



This godforsaken heaven in the heart of Chilean Patagonia is one of the last truly untouched places on the planet. Located slightly north of Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in the world, it is a single area with stunning beauty. It is 2.4 million-decare network of deep greenish-blue lakes, fast rivers, creaking glaciers, fjords and pampas but is best known for Cuernos del Paine - an astounding 3,000-meter tower of pink granite, which is part of the Cordillera del Paine mountain range. The legendary Andean condor sometimes appears in the sky over this surreal landscape, it is one of over 100 different species of native birds you can see in the area. There you can enjoy the various expeditions that include hiking, trekking, mountain biking and horse trekking and unforgettable moments spent in climbing the majestic peaks. This abundance of air, light, space and time crystallizes the feeling of detachment from life, you used to know.

[MysteRy]

5. Meteora, Greece   



Meteora is an amazing place in Central Greece and one of the most attractive places for pilgrims and tourists. There, among the dense mass of dark green trees are towering about 60 giant (up to 300 meters) rock towers that acquired different shapes over the centuries of rising to the sky. This area is called Meteora, which translated means: those who stand alone or hang in the air. The first people who climbed on those rocks were shepherds, who used to lead their sheep to the top to feed them and ensure their survival. There is evidence that even in the 9th century monks had climbed to the tops of towers and built some of the unique rock monasteries situated in the area. You can hardly take your eyes off the black giants dangerously hanging over you before you start to climb to the top. And when you do it there awaits you a beautiful nestled monastery, spectacular views and incredible sense of freedom.

[MysteRy]

6. El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California, USA   



Yosemite National Park is located high in the Sierra Nevada, California and is one of the most beautiful natural places in the world. Yosemite is one of the oldest national parks in the United States. Yosemite is the Mecca for lovers of climbing big walls, and climbing at all. Imagine that you are at the bottom of the monstrously large brown-gold in colour and beautiful rounded forms rock. Here and there along its vertical and overhanging walls go rock cracks. Monolithic granite massif is 1000 meters high and several kilometres wide. To create even more beautiful scenery the generous nature has furnished all the surrounding area with a green carpet of 70-foot pines. We have just described El Capitan mount located in Yosemite National Park. Maripoza Forest is one of the most popular parts of Yosemite Valley- there are giant sequoias, alpine flowers and many spectacular waterfalls. El Capitan is certainly the dream rock of every avid climber.

[MysteRy]

7. Matterhorn, Switzerland   



Matterhorn Peak is one of the most famous and impressive peaks in the world. Matterhorn is remarkable for its shape of almost perfect pyramid, with sharp clearly expressed peak. This giant was formed 50 million years ago, when the continents Africa and Europe have collided. The height of the peak is 4478 meters. Although it is one of the most dangerous peaks in the world, Matterhorn attracts many tourists and lovers of mountaineering and its great popularity mainly due to its modern facilities built to be easily accessible to all the climbers. Today, all ridges and walls of the Matterhorn were climbed in all seasons. Throughout the year, mountain guides lead the Matterhorn up wishing to conquer the summit. The unique alpine picture, the snowy peak and all the charm of the place, guarantee an unforgettable experience.

[MysteRy]

8. Shiprock, New Mexico, USA   



Shiprock is a formation, which rises over 500 meters in San Juan County, New Mexico. In the language of the Navajo, Shiprock word is translated as "winged rock". That unique rock formation plays an important role in the religion of Navajo people, in their mythology and their rituals. It is located in the heart of the civilization of the ancient Pueblo Indians, who represent the prehistoric culture in the south-eastern United States. The rock formation is composed of volcanic mass. Actually, it is eroded section of the throat of a volcano formed during the pour and solidification of the magma. Shiprock attracts a huge amount of tourists from around the world and climbers who are curious to explore that miracle of nature, as well as photographers who want to perpetuate the beautiful view. There you will also have the unique opportunity to enjoy the desert of New Mexico - flowers, animal bones, sand ridges, red, white and black mountains and  endless sky.

[MysteRy]

9. Sardinia, Italy   



Sardinia is part of Italy and is the second largest island in the Mediterranean. Everyone knows that Sardinia is a natural paradise, one of the most beautiful places to spend your beach holiday in the Mediterranean region. But Sardinia definitely offers much more to its curious visitors. For example, piece of wild Sardinia on the northeast coast of the island, dotted with huge rocks of pink granite, carved by wind and sea, evergreen hills surrounded by infinite beaches and coves, sheltered under the shade of olive trees. You can still see the incredible reserves where wild horses gallop. The sea is fantastic and exceptionally clear, making it popular among the lovers of diving. Sardinia offers excellent conditions for all the lovers of rock climbing. There you can choose between long and intense, or beautiful and easy routes, suitable even for beginners or those who are afraid of height. Another benefit of climbing in Sardinia is that you can enjoy fresh air and picturesque scenery of Italy.

[MysteRy]

10. Paarl Rocks, South Africa   



Paarl Rock is situated in South Africa and is the second largest granite outcropping in the world. It's a very smooth and rounded rock formation, making climbing difficult and a real challenge for lovers of climbing and pure adrenaline. The city of Paarl is especially interesting because it is home to the Museum of African Languages and Monument of African Languages and Strooidak church, one of the oldest and most amazing churches in South Africa. There lies the longest highway in South Africa where you can see wonderful examples of Victorian, Cape Dach and Art Deco architecture. In Paarl area are situated several magnificent nature reserves. The area is wonderful for organizing wine tours, visits to romantic mansions and enjoying the beautiful unspoiled countryside. However, the main attraction there is still the Paarl Rock itself which nowadays is a famous Mecca for all passionate rock climbers.