Europe has some of the best big wall climbing in the entire world. The vast array of mountain ranges (Alps, Pyrenees, Scandinavian, etc.) provide climbers with almost too many big walls to choose from.
Narrowing down this list to only 10 was practically impossible. Every wall on this list has routes on beautiful rock that stretch over 200 meters straight up. They are all magnificent big wall climbing destinations.
For the sake of this list, Greenland will be counted as part of Europe. Although physically located in North America, Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and has historically been politically and culturally European.
Perhaps the most famous big wall climb in the entire world (El Capitan) is in the USA. To see the other 9 best big wall climbing locations in the USA, check out my article linked here! If you are wondering where the top 50 places you must go rock climbing before you die, check out the top climbing destinations in the world here.
Although it is without El Capitan, Europe has its fair share of historic walls itself. Let’s find out which ones made my list’s top 10!
The 10 Best Big Wall Climbing Locations in Europe
10. Verdon Gorge, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, France
Height/Prominence: 250 to 700 meters (820 to 2,300 ft)
Popular Route(s): La Demande, La Ula
The Verdon Gorge is one of the most beautiful climbing spots in all of Europe. It is a very popular climbing area as it has pristine limestone rock faces. Routes here range from single pitch sport climbs to multi-pitch big wall adventures.
If you love crack climbing then this is a must visit! A crack on La Ula even stretches over 220 meters in length.
9. Monte Casale, Trento, Italy
Height/Prominence: 783 meters (2,570 ft)
Popular Route(s): Chobin, Vedovella
Monte Casale overlooks the Sarca Valley just north of Garda Lake. Its limestone wall towers over the surrounding area with a prominence of 783 meters. Opposite of this wall is a gently sloping grassy and wooded slope allowing climbers to come down with ease.
Both the central wall and “Secondo Pilastro” provide climbers with fantastic big wall climbing opportunities. The views alone are worth the trip.
8. Eiger, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Height/Prominence: 1,800 meters (5,900 ft) – North face
Popular Route(s): Heckmair Route
The summit of Eiger sits at a whopping 3,967 meters (13,015 ft) above sea level in the Bernese Alps. Its north face towers 1,800 meters and is one of the three great north faces of the Alps.
Many climbers have attempted to climb this gigantic wall. Unfortunately for many, it has ended in tragedy. The north wall has even been termed “the murderous wall” referring to it’s tragic background.
The sheer danger of climbing this wall is the main reason it is not higher on this list. That said, climbing the north face is one incredible feat.
7. Monte Qualido, Val di Mello, Italy
Height/Prominence: 800 meters (2,625 ft)- East face
Popular Route(s): Mediterraneo
The large granite east face of Monte Qualido provides climbers long routes typically ranging between 600 and 800 meters of big wall climbing. As one of the only granite walls on this list, Monte Qualido is a special big wall climbing destination in Europe.
Huge granite walls are reminiscent of those found in Yosemite. As such, Monte Qualido and the next spot on our list will be the closest thing to Yosemite in Europe. Well, that is except for our number 1 spot.
6. Petite Aiguille du Dru, Mont Blanc Massif, France
Height/Prominence: 200 meters (650 feet)
Popular Route(s): Normal Route, Lafaille Route
The Petite Aiguille du Dru (Petite Dru) is a 200 meter vertical granite cliff on the Mont Blanc massif located in the French Alps. Its north face is considered one of the six great north faces of the Alps. It is the source of many French legends due to its beauty.
Its west face has been altered significantly by rockfall in the past century. Climbing this beautiful mountain is certainly a dangerous undertaking.
5. Naranjo de Bulnes, Picos de Europa, Spain
Height/Prominence: 550 meters (1,800 ft) vertical face
Popular Route(s): Murciana 78, Rabada-Navarro
Naranjo de Bulnes is perhaps the most popular peak to climb in the Picos de Europa. It boasts a 550 meter straight vertical wall of pure limestone.
It is the most heavily sought after summit in all of Spain. Climbers in the region all want the same thing: to send this glorious wall. It is perfectly positioned within the Picos de Europa and has been said to have magnetic qualities about it. Only climbers who have witnessed this beauty first hand can accurately describe its pull to them.
4. Kjerag, Lysefjord, Norway
Height/Prominence: 984 metres (3,228 ft)
Popular Route(s): Skjoldet (The Shield), Bryllupgaven
While the Kjerag is the first Norwegian big wall on this list at number 4, it is not the last. The Kjerag has a cliff that is almost a straight 1,000 meter drop.
Many big wall routes are on the high quality granite of the Kjerag. It is home to some of the greatest big wall climbing in the entire world. Climbers from all over the globe have traveled here to send this massive cliff. The climbing season for it is quite short however due to winter and frequent rain.
That said, it is best known for the Kjeragbolten (a boulder wedged between the mountain crevasse approximately 1,000 meters above the valley. In addition to the Kjerabolten, the Kjerag is one of the most popular BASE jumping spots in the world.
3. Marmolada, The Dolomites, Italy
Height/Prominence: 800 meter (2,625 ft) vertical south face
Popular Route(s): Don Quixote
Marmolada aka the “Queen of the Dolomites” the highest mountain in the Dolomites with its summit sitting at an elevation of 3,343 meters above sea level. While its northern portion contains a glacier, its south wall is a massive 800 meter high limestone cliff.
This wall is quite unique in Europe as it provides the best big wall limestone climbing in Europe (maybe even the world).
2. Trollveggen (Troll Wall), Romsdalen Valley, Norway
Height/Prominence: 1,100 meters (3,600 ft)
Popular Route(s): Arch Wall, Death to All/Pretty Blond Vikings
Our number two spot is not for the faint of heart and will only be climbed by the most adventurous and danger seeking big wall climbers.
The Troll Wall is the tallest wall in all of Europe, let alone Norway. It is over 1,000 meters of pure vertical gneiss rock. The wall is heavily featured but generally is not very solid which makes it one of the most dangerous walls in Europe.
Entire sections of this behemoth have been noted to peel away from the rock face during the frequent rock fall. These rock falls have ripped off various pitches of historic routes and are incredibly dangerous. In addition to its frequent rock fall hazards, the Troll Wall experiences incredibly treacherous weather conditions as well.
Just like Eiger, the sheer danger of climbing this wall prevents it from being number one on our list.
Check out the YouTube video below exploring this magnificent and terrifying wall.
1. Ulamertorsuaq, Tasermiut Fjord, Greenland
Height/Prominence: 700 meters (2,300 ft)
Popular Route(s): War and Poetry
Ulamertorsuaq is an absolutely gigantic granite peak that has an elevation greater than 1,800 meters above sea level. Its west side is an approximately 700 meter vertical cliff face that just begs to be climbed.
The only drawback to this magnificent beauty is its remote location. While difficult to access, it is well worth it. Climbers will be hard pressed to find better granite climbing in all of Europe.
The popular route War and Poetry transitions from ever steepening slab climbing to off-width and finger crack climbing as you move up the wall. It truly is a beast of a wall involving many climbing styles to send.
Check out what it all entails in the YouTube video below documenting War and Poetry.
