Rock climbing in Sicily. Climbing area of San Vito Lo Capo

Sicily has many climbing areas, large and small, scattered throughout the island. But two areas should be highlighted in particular: the area of ​​the village of San Vito Lo Capo and the city of Palermo. More than 1000 climbing routes from 5a to 9a category of difficulty have been pierced here. This article will focus on the climbing area of ​​San Vito Lo Capo.

Village of San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo is a small resort village located in the northwest of Sicily. It is famous for its beach, which is included in the TOP 100 best beaches on the planet and is considered the best in Italy and Europe. The beach is about 3 km long, in good weather the water is clear and bright azure. Clean, white sand underfoot. It is good to relax here for both adults and small children. The width of the beach in some places reaches 100 m, the descent into the water is gentle.

Famous beach and view of Monte Monaco

The entire western coast in the vicinity of this village is a grandiose rock massif about 5 km long. The most suitable season for rock climbing is from October to May. From May to October it is quite hot here.Все  

Beach and rock view

How to get to Sicily

The easiest and fastest way is by plane. The two nearest major international airports are located in the vicinity of the cities of Palermo and Trapani. There is another airport Catania, which is located on the east coast of the island. Although it is located relatively far away, it must always be taken into account in terms of logistics and finances!

By train from Naples to Palermo. A very interesting journey. You will see Mount Vesuvius, take a ferry across the Strait of Messina to Sicily and then drive to Palermo.

There in the clouds Sicily

What's next? And then there are these options:

• Rent a car. This option is very convenient if you plan to drive around the surrounding area during your trip.
• Order a transfer. If you're into workouts, this is your option.
• The most budgetary but long option is to go by regular bus.

Accommodation

If, in addition to training, your plans include holidays with children, then you can settle in the village of San Vito Lo Capo itself, there are various accommodation options, including campsites. If you have chosen this option, it is better to have a car for trips to the climbing sectors and excursions.

If you have purely sports plans, we recommend that you immediately settle in the El Bahira campsite. The campsite is located in a very convenient place, the campsite is cozy and surrounded by greenery.

Camping

On one side of the camping there is the sea, on the other side there are climbing sectors. Everything is very close. Here you can stay in tents, come with your own caravan, rent wagons or rooms in stationary houses. On the territory there is a restaurant and 3 cafes, a swimming pool, grocery and sports shops, sports grounds, etc., WiFi is available. Please note that in the period October - April, some services may not work!

Swimming pool, cafe, restaurant and rocks .... Well, there are a lot of them

The center of San Vito Lo Capo is approximately 3 km from the campsite. The nearest supermarkets are also located there. Burner gas can be purchased from the sports shop at the campsite and from the hardware stores in San Vito Lo Capo. In general, you can cook for free in the climbing kitchen.

There are special discounts for rock climbers at the campsite from October 15 to April 15. You can live in a group for a low cost in a house with a kitchen (weekly payment) or "almost for nothing" in a tent. All information is available on the camping site, it can also be obtained by writing an e-mail or calling.

Climbing sector, everything is thought out to the smallest detail

The campsite has a special accommodation sector for rock climbers. The path to it starts immediately from the reception. Everything is comfortable and well thought out. We watched the camping staff at work as they did it all.

At the same time, everyone did their own work: a designer, a gardener, an electrician, a builder, etc. They put their heart and soul into it.

This is what they look like: an info center, recreation areas, a kitchen, places for tents. Immediately after this sector, at a distance of about 50 m, rocks and routes begin, routes for every taste!

Rock climbing in San Vito Lo Capo

The rocky massif is about 5 km long. The main orientation is western. The rocks are made of limestone. The rocks are dotted with numerous grottoes and caves that allow you to train in any weather - you will be in cool shade in the hot sun, and on dry rocks in heavy rain.

Ridge of rocks, sea. Camping is surrounded by greenery

There are 27 climbing sectors in the San Vito Lo Capo area. There are about 700 routes in the camping area. There are about 850 in total, but some of them are located in other sectors that are 1 to 10 km away from the campsite.

Difficulty categories from 4 to 8c. Route 9A of the difficulty category is approximately 10 km away, in another rock mass. The average length of routes is 20–35 m, but it is better to have a rope of 60–70 m and 15–18 quickdraws.

The bolts are old and new, properly stuffed, in dangerous places with small distances, which ensures safety in the event of a fall. The relief of the rocks is extremely varied. Here you can find rough, gray sharp, licked, overhanging yellow rocks, stalactites and colonets.

In short, rocks for all tastes. It is easy to navigate by sectors and routes, everything is signed. Schemes of sectors, route threads, categories of difficulty and length can be previewed on the schemes presented in the climbing sector of the campsite in the Info Center. But it is better to purchase an inexpensive guidebook that has all the necessary information.

On the rocks of the sector, which are located near the campsite, you can climb until late in the evening - in the campsite, searchlights are turned on and there is enough light.

Routes 7b - 8a+ categories are similar in difficulty to the routes in the central part of the Red Stone. There are several multipitches.

What a rock climber needs to know about the climate and weather in the San Vito Lo Capo area

• Winter is rainy and warm.
• Summer is dry and very hot.
• Spring is cool, cold winds blow in early spring.
• Autumn - September and the first half of October - hot and humid. From the second half of October it becomes warm during the day and cool in the evenings. This is the perfect time for rock climbing.

What to do in free time

At the campsite: there is a small sea beach equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas and small tables within a 2-3 minute walk from the tent sites.

There is a swimming pool (a bathing cap is required), sports grounds.

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Near the campsite you can:

• Stroll to the beach nearby;
• Go to the nearest village of San Vito Lo Capo: there is a large sandy beach, many cafes, a fish market, and shops. At different times, exhibitions, festivals, concerts are held here: a climbing festival, wine festivals, a kite festival, a city festival "Books, writers and bougainvilleas", music festivals, etc.

• Climb to the top of nearby Monte Monaco;

• Make a simple trek around Monte Cofano (659 m) and climb to its top;

• Go on an excursion to the Zingaro National Park; the cave of Mangiapane and the old city of Segesta with an ancient temple and theater, which are located halfway from San Vito Lo Capo to Trapani;
• Go diving or rent a bike.

The city of Trapani with its narrow streets, interesting architecture, temples and monasteries.

Beautiful streets of Trapani

• In cozy cafes, you can drink aromatic coffee and taste the local delicacy - cannoli.

Coffee and cannoli! Only in Sicily

• Not far from Trapani, visit the rocky town - Erice - a medieval town on top of a mountain, surrounded by an impregnable wall. You can go up there by funicular.
• Go on a boat trip to the islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo.

Wow, I'll ride with the wind!!!

City of Palermo. Allocate more than one day to get acquainted with this city. there are a lot of interesting things here - the royal palace, cathedrals, temples, theaters, museums.

• Mondello Bay is a beautiful beach in the province of Palermo, it is also the main resort in the entire area. Located between the high cliffs of Monte Gallo and Monte Pellegrino, which have many picturesque grottoes and caves.
• By the way, there are about a hundred climbing routes on the rock massifs of Mante Pellegrino and Mondello.

There are also interesting places on the east coast of Sicily - the cities of Catania, Syracuse, Taormina and Mount Etna.

In general, there are a lot of rock massifs with climbing routes in Sicily. They are all over the island and on all sides.

See the schedule of our climbing tours to Italy with photos here - Climbing camps in Italy

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