ARCO CLIMBING - Arco
In the 1980s, Arco was the free climbing capital of Italy together with the Val di Mello in Lombardy, and soon became an international point of reference for this sport also thanks to the ideal climatic conditions (it’s possible to test yourself across hundreds of routes all year round), the beauty of the surroundings and of course the fantastic hospitality.
Free climbing has come quite a long way since those pioneering years, also becoming an important training and preparation activity for climbs up more imposing walls where personal skill and technique, stamina and the ability to adapt to the environment are of upmost importance.
Just like any other innovative phenomenon, in Arco – and in the entire mountaineering world for that matter - free climbing was received with some criticism and scepticism at first but has now become the life and blood of the local tourist industry. Indeed, the Trentino Garda is a world-renowned tourist destination and host of the Rock Master climbing stadium which stages top international climbing competitions.
And we can start our journey exactly from here, the wall of the Rock Master stadium: in the summer months it’s open to climbing enthusiasts who are free to test themselves along routes usually reserved for the big climbers. Not far away we have the Arco Climbing gym, and what it lacks in size it definitely makes up for with its range of structures and facilities for climbing activities ranging from bouldering to aided climbing. This climbing centre is further enriched with various routes laid out by free climbing champions and mountain guides of the calibre of Cristian Brenna and Loris Manzana, many of which are suitable for beginners and children. So much so that this “big little climbing centre” has become, over the years, the unrivalled hot spot for new talent in the Arco and Trentino area.
INFO & MORE
- Located below the castle of Arco, within the grounds of the Segantini Primary School
- Gear hiring service available
- Bar and pastry shop a 5-minute walk away
- Free parking in the courtyard of the school
- Opening hours to the public: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8pm-11pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 12.30pm -3.30pm and e 6.30pm-11pm
