Climbing Peñón de Ifach
The Peñón de Ifach is the geological highlight of the Costa Blanca. It might be the cultural and historical highlight as well. It is easily the most recognized sight in the Costa Blanca region and could be the most recognizable sight in all of Mediterranean Spain. This massive 332m limestone butte jets out of the sea with vertical walls to dream about. The south side of this behemoth is where most of the climbing action takes place and is home to it's best routes. Upon first appearance it may seem like a daunting task to climb these sheer walls. However, there are several weaknesses in the walls where beautiful cracks make their way upwards, making climbing Peñón de Ifach a wonderful objective.
The golden limestone is full of features which help make it climbable. There are many difficult and complex routes that make their way up the walls of the Peñón, making it an important climbing destination for many seasoned veterans. However, there are also a handful of beginner and intermediate routes that lead to the top as well. This allows even an inexperienced multi-pitch climber to reach the summit. However, it's always best to go with a professional that knows these walls well. Consider hiring Rich, the certified rock climbing guide at Bigtime Aventura for a guided climb on the Peñón de Ifach.
Climbing Peñón de Ifach: 8 pitch, 5+ (5.10a), 270m
In the video post of this blog we show some footage of one of the introductory climbs on this massive block of rock. We did this 270m climb in 8 pitches. The grade of the climb is 5+ or 5.10a. Most of the pitches are in the 4-5 (5.8-5.9) range. The climbing is mostly enjoyable with solid rock. The views are incredible, especially as we gain altitude. This climb ends near the true summit. A 1 minute hike from the last anchor deposits us at the summit of the Peñón.
Here, we have spectacular views of the Costa Blanca. The coastline is beautiful, the Mediterranean Sea stretches out to the west as far as the eye can see. To the east we get an unobstructed view of the inland mountains that make the Costa Blanca an outdoor adventurer's paradise. You'll want to continue your vacation with Rich to explore these rugged mountains and canyons inland. Contact us at any time for guided outdoor adventures in Spain.