There are few places in Tirol with the same huge variety of climbing as the region around Nauders, where Austria, Italy and Switzerland converge.
Families and beginners can enjoy several easy climbing areas and the high-rope adventure park, while more experienced climbers will find plenty of ice climbing in winter on icefalls up to 220 metres high. Fans of longer climbs are invited to explore several multi-pitch climbs in the Tirolean Oberland, all of which offer not only fabulous views but also a wide range of different rock types – from granite and slate to limestone, seldom found in this part of Tirol.
Bouldering in the Tirolean Oberland
Between the small villages of Boden and Vergötschen in the Kaunertal Valley, at 1,200 metres above sea level, you will find the Höll boulder area. It has 30 blocks of gneiss with a total of 140 boulder problems waiting to be solved. The range of difficulty is pretty wide, from 4c (easy/intermediate) to 8a+ (difficult). This means climbers of all abilities will be able to find challenging yet solvable problems. There are even some which have not yet been climbed successfully – the ultimate challenge for advanced and expert climbers keen to be the first to do so. Some of the rocks lie in the cool forest, ideal for summer climbing, while others are in the sun and are popular in spring and autumn.
All boulder routes at a glance
Sport climbing in the Tirolean Oberland
The Klettergarten Fernergries climbing area is just a five-minute drive from the road into the Kaunertal Valley and is the largest in the valley. It offers plenty of safe climbing routes designed first and foremost for beginners. The small Pflanzgarten Nauders is also good for those starting out. More experienced climbers will enjoy climbing in Laimo and Grünstein in the Kaunertal Valley.
All sport climbing routes at a glance
Multi-pitch climbing routes in the Tirolean Oberland
Climbing routes comprising up to 12 pitches can be found in the Kaunertal Valley and the region around Nauders. Climbers new to multi-pitch climbing should try the routes on the northern faces of the Schweikert mountain, at the the Gsallgratl ridge, in the Kaunertal Valley. More challenging routes are for example those on the Madatschtürme towers, the northern faces of the Piz-Lad (limestone) and the Finstermünzwand (slate) in Nauders.
All multi-pitch climbing routes at a glance
Family via ferrata climbing routes in the Tirolean Oberland
At the end of the Kaunertal Valley, above the Gepatschspeicher reservoir, you will find the "Holderli Seppl" via ferrata. It is rated B/C (easy/intermediate) and is 240 metres in length, taking families around two hours to climb. There are lots of handholds and footholds anchored into the rock as well as a steel rope from start to finish for safety. Climbers pass over a thundering glacier-fed stream and through two challenging sections plus two bridges at the end.
All via ferrata climbing routes at a glance
Ice climbing in the Tirolean Oberland
With its many waterfalls, the Kaunertal Valley is a real hotspot for ice climbers during the winter months. However, all the routes in the valley are difficult and therefore only for climbers with experience. The huge 220m Steinbruch-Eisfall and the 160m Zwirn are a test of skill, strength and nerve, while the route "Angst vor Lust" is known as one of the toughest mental challenges.
All ice climbing routes at a glance
Climbing park in the Tirolean Oberland
Overcoming your fears, building confidence and, first and foremost, having fun – that is what the Waldseilpark Pfunds climbing park is all about. Visitors can climb, slide and balance up to 8 metres above the ground on a series of obstacle courses. The main highlight is a 100m zipwire over the Inn river. There is also a climbing route in the Samnauner Schlucht gorge with an area for abseil training and a zipwire trail.
More about the Kletterpark Pfunds
Climbing for families in the Tirolean Oberland
A play area, a natural spring and an ideal location in the centre of the village make the Sauerbrunn climbing area in Prutz ideal for families. The artificial handholds and footholds make climbing easier than on natural rock. From midday onwards the climbing area is in the shade. Two slightly larger climbing areas can be found in nearby Nauders and Fernergries, which both offer plenty of routes for beginners and children. Nauders is also home to another small climbing area, Pflanzgarten, with four almost vertical routes rated between 3 and 5 on the Austrian rock climbing difficulty scale.
