Los Vados Climbing

About Los Vados Climbing

The Tajo de los Vados lies between Vélez de Benaudalla, Motril and Salobreña, where the Granada–Motril road follows the Guadalfeo through a narrow gap shortly before the sea. The climbing school described by the Diputación de Granada has 176 bolted routes in 12 sectors on good limestone, with vertical slabs and overhangs. The gorge also shelters rare cliff plants, ibex and Bonelli's eagles.

Most routes are single pitches of 6th and 7th grade, up to 40 m long, with grades from IV to 8b+. The south-facing Tajo de la Canal sectors, such as Minotauro, Carretera, Límbico and Placas Negras, are best in winter; the north-east-facing Tajo de la Virgen, suits summer and has multi-pitch lines of up to 200 m. La Guardería, across the river, is the beginners' sector with many grade V routes, and the Tajo del Escalate holds longer classics such as Alfa Centauro Z-16 (230 m, 6b).

A July 2024 Junta de Andalucía resolution bans climbing all year on the unequipped part of the Tajo del Escalate, and on the Tajo de la Toba from 15 December to 30 January, or all year if Bonelli's eagles nest. Access is free. Park only in the three lay-bys on the N-323. The Tajo de la Virgen and La Guardería need a ford of the river, which can be impossible after rain. There is no water at the crag.

November to April suits the sunny walls, summer mornings the shady side. Bring an 80 m rope, 20 quickdraws, a helmet and the Escalar en Granada guide.

Los Vados Climbing in pictures

What you’ll find

• Car parkParkingFree
• ClimbingRock climbingFree
• Family friendlyEasy for childrenFree
• Free accessFree visitFree
• Shuttle or busPublic transportBuy
• ViewpointScenic viewpointFree

Nearby places to visit

The Olive Oil Museum in Vélez de Benaudalla is only 3 km upstream, and Motril's Preindustrial Sugar Cane Museum and the Ron Montero rum distillery are 5–6 km south, reminders of the sugar cane that once covered the delta. The hilltop Castillo de Salobreña stands 7 km away above the coast, and canyoners can continue to Río Verde Canyoning in Otívar, 19 km west, while sea paddlers will find Kayaking in La Herradura Bay the same distance along the Costa Tropical. Playa Motril is 8 km south for a swim after climbing.