A new year is here – and with it, new challenges.

One of the places I return to with more excitement than a dog running to its food bowl is Margalef. From my very first visit, I knew this was no ordinary climbing area. The endless walls of pocketed limestone look as if they were designed by someone who wants to challenge climbers — and at the same time reward them. And the moment you arrive, your mind instantly switches into “just climb and don’t worry about anything else” mode.

Last year, Margalef surprised me with a new change — there is now a €5 fee to enter the valley. I see it as the price for the luxury of being able to soak in the scenery even before you start climbing. Nature here is so beautiful that even people who normally never take photos suddenly start chasing sunsets like Instagram pros.

A place where the whole world climbs

One of the best things about Margalef is that climbers from all over the world come together here. Every evening you sit beneath the cliffs, unpack your snack, and hear Spanish, French, English, Czech… the whole world gathered in one valley. And that’s exactly what creates an atmosphere you won’t easily find anywhere else.

At the same time, it’s an area where absolutely everyone can climb.
It’s not just about brutal power routes and legendary 9a’s — Margalef offers plenty of easier climbs too. First-time visitors can enjoy routes in the 5s, 6s, and 7s. There’s so much variety that even complete beginners leave with a smile and nicely worked fingers.

Why this area still excites me

Margalef is all about variety. One day you’re hanging in a brutal overhang wondering why you voluntarily chose this suffering, and the next day you’re fine-tuning technical movement on long walls where your feet can’t slip even a centimeter. Every sector feels different, and together they create the sense of a place that never gets boring.

And then there’s the nature…
Canyons surrounded by orange cliffs, pine trees whose scent carries for miles, and a calm, quiet atmosphere that often pulls you out of your focus simply because it feels so good.

My milestones – Mr. Big and Wild Publico

For me, Margalef is special on a very personal level.
In 2024, I climbed my first 9a here — Mr. Big.
It’s a moment I’ll remember forever.

And last year, I fulfilled another dream — on my second attempt, I climbed my second 9a, Wild Publico.
Honestly? If someone had told me this a few years ago, I would’ve taken it as a joke. But that’s exactly what Margalef is — a place where you realize your limits aren’t fixed.

After climbing? A stop you never skip

And of course — what would a day in Margalef be without the traditional plato combinado at the local bar. That ritual never changes. And if you run out of energy before reaching the bar, there’s a small village shop with a kind, smiling lady who sells you a baguette in such a way that you feel like she’s wishing you luck on your next project attempt.

Why I keep coming back — and why I recommend this place to everyone

Margalef is an area where every climber can grow.
Beginners, advanced climbers, competitors, or anyone who simply wants to enjoy beautiful nature and the atmosphere of people who love rock.

It’s a place that taught me how to push my own boundaries, where I achieved my greatest climbing successes, and where I’m reminded every time why I love climbing so much.

And most importantly — it’s a place you visit once…
…and you already know you’ll be back.

Honza