Climbing - A vertical perspective

Ariège is a dream location for beginner & expert climbers alike

Ariège sun rock climbing

Grade: Outdoor novice

Auzat, Sinsat and Calames all have perfect options for first time outdoor climbers and those climbing in the F4’s and F5’s.

Learn the ropes and improve technique in a beautiful natural environment. You might even spot the bright green, majestic European lizard. Suitable for families.  It can be as gentle or demanding as you like. Longer courses available on request. Half or full day options. Advance booking needed. Climb with ropes or boulder.

Improve your grade

Grade: Outdoor climber, leading F5 minimum

For experienced climbers who would like to improve technique through expert coaching or gain an insight into training. We offer advanced skills training & performance analysis. Bouldering included. An opportunity to imporove your rope work too. Delivered by a former British champion, former national junior team coach and/or local experts. Half or full day options.

Private tuition - Climb your dream?

Climb your dream, learn a new technique, the day is yours. A long day-route or a tour of the finest crags in the area, finding routes best suited to you. Please let us know in advance what you would like to do so we can organise the best option.

Equipment: For all days we supply harness, helmet, belay plate, rock shoes, quickdraws and ropes. If you have your own suitable equipment you may bring and use it. Please wear loose-fitting clothes, tie hair back, bring waterproofs, suntan cream and take off any rings if possible.

Intro indoor wall boulder & Tips and Tricks sessions

Morning and evening half hour and hour sessions on our wall available for those who are not regular and experienced climbers. If you would like some performance coaching, tips and tricks please ask – open to all from beginner to elite.

Price for Chez Arran guests:

*Family special offer 135 euros*

TO BOOK: Indicate what you would like on your accommodation booking form & we will send the activity booking form.

Climbers doing your own thing?

We are happy to help giving advice for crags, access, routes etc. – just ask. We offer:

• Free Guidebook use
• Free use of printed topos
• Free map use
• Use of the climbing wall
• New Niaux Guide from Graham Lynch for sale
• Chalk and finger tape for sale
• Crash pad hire for 40 €/week
• Lifts to and from the crag by arrangement

FAQ's

Where can I find guidebooks to Ariège climbing before I arrive?

There are excellent online topos to he found here: http://cafma.free.fr/ They include crag access descriptions and are the best place to look for the latest new development in the area. There are printed guidebooks to Auzat, Calames area, Dent de Orlu, Sinsat and the most recent from Graham Lynch to the Niaux crags. You can find these online or in climbing shops. We have the Niaux guide for sale here and all others are available for use.

How far away is the climbing from Chez Arran?

You can walk to Sinsat in 15-20 minutes. It is a 5 minute drive and further afield you can travel by car to 8 crags within 10 minutes. 

What do you recommend if I climb Fr4-Fr6?

There is lots of choice! South facing Calames is a good bet but a bit hot in the height of summer. The Auzat granite is excellent for most occasions but can be a little cold mid winter. Sinsat and Verdun have many great options with the best multi pitch being at Sinsat and Dent de Orlu (another granite crag good in summer). Niaux crags have steeper sides but Sibada and a couple of the Alliat crags have a selection of good 6's. A great venue for sun or shade as there are options on both sides of the valley. Genat has some weather proof 6's. Ariège has a huge variety of options from slab to overhanging and 3 rock types to spice up your stay.

Where can I go bouldering?

For bouldering in the winter it is best to travel to the famous top class Targassone which is 1 hr away. In the summer there are options at Laramarde (10 mins) and Orlu 30 mins. Laramarde does get mossed up out of season. 

Where can I find pictures of the climbing here?

Below and you can also check out our Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chez-Arran/320358506480

Is there any trad climbing or is it all sport?

This is mainly a sport climbing area but there is some trad on Dent de Orlu, Bassiès and Rhule. Best in the summer on the high mountain crags. For the hardcore there are some aid lines to free on the high cliffs of Sinsat.