17 places where to climb in the Gard

Are you looking for the best climbing spots in the Gard? This French department is full of beautiful sites where you will necessarily find the way that will make you vibrate!

You just discover the world of climbing and want to see what lies behind a liquor, a column, a crack, a block or a 7a? You are no longer at your first baudard and wish to rub yourself to the famous Gardoise tracks, whether they are in a colossal spill, on grey slabs, of force or more “resi”? From now on, you will only have the embarrassment of choice! Between the easy access spots and the more remote ones, between the gigantic sites and the cliffs nestled in an intimate setting, between the technical routes and the public spots, you will necessarily find the place where to climb in the Gard. We have tried, to the extent possible, to specify the level of rating of these climbing paths .

The most interesting sites are, of course, outside. However, at the end of the list, we offer some names of climbing rooms: training is essential in the practice of climbing!

Put your slippers on, it's gone!

1. Seynes

Enjoying a kind of miraculous microclimate, the site is part of the triptych of the climber’s musts in the Gard. If you have chosen to climb in winter, Seynes is undoubtedly a great spot. Known for the columns of its New World, the site suffers the starvings of tourism and must cope with some skating tracks. However, there is no less a spot of choice and all the styles of climbing are possible, thanks to its three-cent lanes palette, ranging from 3b to the famous “Dinosaure”, in 8a. Count ten minutes of approach walk, uphill. If you want to discover the climb in the Gard, start here!

2. Collias

The second must-see of the guard spots, Collias is located north of Nîmes, in the gorges of the Gardon. The site comprises four limestone cliffs and houses two-hundred-eight tracks. Accessible at all levels and therefore ideal for families, this spot essentially offers slab climbing and vertical walls. On these south-facing rocks, you will find tracks of the smallest pitches up to 8b+. The only regret is the strong affluence that leaves skating tracks. Count between five and thirty-five minutes of approach walk, on the dish.

3. Russan

Russan is the third must-do of climbing spots in the Gard. Located north of Nîmes, a week will not be enough for you to test the two-hundred-and-tight tracks of the site! The limestone rock of this imposing cliff of thirty-five meters offers several styles of climbing, from the slab to the reverse, to the columns. If the average of the tracks turns around 6, a track reaches 8c, while the easiest start has 4b. Twenty-five minutes of climb to the site. Forget the climb to Russan in the summer. The heat is unbearable!

4. Estézargues

There is a life outside of Russan-Collias-Seynes! The two limestone cliffs of the Estézargues site are interesting for the good climbers. Indeed, the nineteen lanes on the hole wall of the Estézargues sector are 6b to 8a+. On the side of Estézargues Beach, the track down from 6b+ to 8a+ offers a beautiful playground for the most experienced. Despite their degree of difficulty, these oriented cliffs do not exceed twenty meters. Try the "Stone Sizer" in 6c+ and "Beer Pack" in 7b. Take two minutes downhill to access the Estézargues site and twenty minutes to Estézargues Beach.

5. Gargantua

The paths of the Gargantua site, intended for experienced climbers, are organized around a limestone cave. Located north of Nîmes, the spot allows you to practice several styles of climbing: slab, reverse, and even columns. The most difficult path, “Uncle Meat” is an 8b+. The site is oriented north. Count five minute approach step up. Do not hesitate to test the "Oedipe complex" in 7b!

6. The Guérin Guard

The Guard-Guérin is one of these imposing sites that have the advantage of offering a wide choice of routes and being accessible at all levels. Located in the gorges of Cha assezac, in Lozère, this granite rock spot has more than one hundred tracks going up to 8a. Whether in terms of direction or style of climb, there is one for all tastes. Some tracks are nearly 100 metres! The site consists of several cliffs. The only black point is the risk of heat in the summer.

7. Pont d’Auzon

The site of Pont d’Auzon, north of Nîmes, is ideal for beginners. Its twenty-one lanes do not exceed 6b and start in 4. Oriented northwest, the paths of this limestone wall are perfect for a morning climb. Only two minutes of walking on the dish are necessary to access the site. Pont d’Auzon is particularly suitable for children.

8. Pont-Saint-Nicolas

If you are looking for a practicable spot for all climbing levels, look no further! Pont-Saint-Nicolas is often referred to as "little Russan". Less famous and equally friendly, the site provides access to about 50 southeast oriented tracks, ranging from 3c to 8b. If the beginners can experiment without fear of natural climbing, the good climbers will be pleased on one of the fifteen tracks in 8. Try the "size bah in the coral" in 7a+. Count about 15 minutes of approach walking, steep slope. Pont-Saint-Nicolas is only about 15 kilometres north of Nîmes.

9. Méjannes-le-Clap

If some routes of this site are accessible to beginners, it is better to avoid the first sector, because the equipment is not of high quality. However, in the other area of Méjannes, the five tracks in the 7a to 8b, nestled in the heart of a beautiful cave, are really worth a visit. The spot is pleasant in the summer, when its orientation north makes it possible to win in freshness.

10. Mialet

For the best climbers, the Mialet spot is interesting. With its ten tracks of a level 6a up to 7b, some of which can go up to thirty-five meters, it is better not to come and do its first weapons! The wall is facing northeast and offers a beautiful shade in summer. You will only need two minutes to go to the site.

11. Orsan

Located north of Nîmes, the Orsan cliff is reserved for experienced climbers. Indeed, next to the 8a, most tracks are rating 7. This limestone rock is oriented. Count fifteen minutes of approach walk, uphill.

12. The Gift

Located not far from Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, about 50 kilometres west of Nîmes, the La Cadière cliff houses tracks ranging from 5a to 8b, many of which are upside down. It takes about ten minutes on foot to access the cliff from your parking point.

13. Tresques

The limestone rock wall of Tresques is located north of Nîmes. The track level is high, with an average of 6a. You can also try the 7c lanes in reverse. For the less experienced, you will find slabs in 4. Therefore, these paths are practicable for children. Also, the shade of trees allows you to climb without discomfort in the summer. Only two minutes walk, on dish, to access the site.

14. Aubais

If you want to pair via ferrata and climbing, Aubais is the ideal spot. Indeed, the limestone cliff faces the via ferrata of Saint-Sériès, on the other side of the Vidourle. There are for all levels, from 3 to 6b+. If you don’t find your happiness on one of the twenty-one southeast oriented paths, you can try at the walls of the blocks, located in the cave. Count five minutes of approach walk, in light climb.

15. Rochefort du Gard

This site in the northern region of Nîmes is ideal for climbing in slabs. The limestone cliff, south-facing, accommodates more than one hundred-trent tracks on its forty meters high. The average level is 5c, with 7b+ tracks. Count between two and ten minutes’ walk, on the dish.

16. The Capelle

Located east of Uzès, the site of La Capelle is a block spot. With some three-hundred passages in the forest, the sandstone blocks offer a perfect setting for any type of climb, including spills. Blocks are practicable for all levels, from beginner children to the most experienced, with 8a+ tracks. Some can be climbed into a mill. The site is pleasant for the beautiful summer days. Be sure to respect the place, because it is a private property.

17. The rooms and clubs of the Gard

If you prefer to make your first weapons on a wall in the interior, if you want to work your technique or climb despite a rainy time, the Gard region is not in need of clubs and climbing rooms. You can try Uz’ climb , the climbing wall of Lédignan with Esca’Seynes d’Alès, la climbing room in Clarensac , Block Session in Nimes or Esca’bloc Saint-Jean-du-Gard.

Where to sleep in the Gard?

If you are not from the corner and are planning to stay in the area for a while, close to the sites, there are several options available for you: camping, lodging or hotel. Everything depends, of course, on the location of your favourite spot: around Alès, from Remoulin , etc.