Sport climbing has been an Olympic discipline since Tokyo 2020. And Munich is clearly number one in Germany when it comes to climbing on artificial walls. It's no coincidence that the IFSC European Climbing Championships will be held on Munich's Königsplatz from 11 to 18 August 2022 as part of the European Championships. It is even said that there is no other city with more space and more opportunities for bouldering or sport climbing. We present the best opportunities for newcomers and professionals.
Bouldering with a view: Boulderwelt in Werksviertel
Boulderwelt has taken the once-niche sport of bouldering and made it accessible to all. The ambitious project began in 2010, with the construction of the first Boulderwelt centre; there are now six across Germany, three of which are in Munich. Boulderwelt München-Ost in Werksviertel-Mitte is one of the largest, most modern bouldering halls in the world, offering over 1500 square metres of bouldering wall across three levels. The hall is some six metres tall.
What you can expect
There are nine difficulty levels with a total of 400 boulders; grades (Fb) range from 1a- to 8b. What’s more, from 2022 visitors can also enjoy outdoor bouldering on the roof terrace, scaling heights up to 30 metres. When you’ve finished climbing, you can round the day off in comfort, relaxing with coffee and cake in the cosy Boulder Café.
And there’s plenty for children, too
The facility boasts a 200-square-metre Kinderwelt children’s section – please note that children must always be supervised by an accompanying adult.
Of interest to pros
There’s a competition wall, various traverses and no shortage of strength training equipment to boot.
What you need to be able to do
You do not need any prior experience to climb here. If you like to be well prepared, you can opt for a free introductory session; there is no need to book ahead. Sessions are offered every Tuesday. Alternatively, you can book a 3-day basic course. You can also rent climbing shoes on-site.
Incidentally,
the two other Boulderwelt centres in Munich are Boulderwelt München Süd and Boulderwelt München West.
Boulderwelt München Ost, Hanne-Hiob-Strasse 4
Everything a climber’s heart could desire: DAV climbing halls in Thalkirchen and Freimann
You could easily spend a whole day in the German Alpine Club’s climbing halls – they are so huge and filled with variety. There is also a lovely outdoor area that is hard to resist in fine weather. The mothership, as it were, is the club’s complex in Thalkirchen – one of the world’s largest climbing facilities with some 7,700 square metres of climbing and bouldering space. Thalkirchen is within easy reach of the city centre. The hall in Freimann opened in 2015 and is situated on the northern outskirts of the city, near the Allianz Arena football stadium.
What you can expect
Training areas, Kinderparadies children’s section, slackline, trampoline, playground, bistro, indoor and outdoor areas. Thalkirchen boasts 6,540 square metres of climbing space and almost 1,200 square metres of bouldering area. The climbing walls are up to 20 metres high. Freimann offers 4,000 square metres of space for climbers, on walls reaching up to 15 metres in height. The bouldering hall has 800 square metres of bouldering area.
If you’re travelling alone ...
... you can search for a suitable climbing partner via a dedicated portal or even opt to take part in a climbing meet organised by the München/Oberland divisions of the German Alpine Club.
Of interest to pros
The Freimann facility has a Perfect Descent route on the speed wall, which is only open to competitive climbers. High-performance climbers will find bolted competition-style routes in the Freimann centre.
A place to relax
Both the Thalkirchen and Freimann facilities have spacious bistros serving home-made burgers, salads and pizzas – and the Freimann building even has a large terrace.
What you need to be able to do
The German Alpine Club is all about personal responsibility. By registering, you confirm that you have the necessary climbing and/or bouldering skills and experience.
What you need
Comfortable clothing; you can rent all the necessary equipment on-site, from climbing shoes to harnesses or rope.
Incidentally,
if you are located on the outskirts of the city or even outside Munich, you can also use the
halls in Gilching and Bad Tölz.
Thalkirchen climbing hall, Thalkirchner Straße 207
Freimann climbing hall, Werner-Heisenberg-Allee 5
Pure Bouldering at the Einstein
Einsteinhalle is named after none other than the great Albert Einstein. There are now four Einsteinhalle climbing centres, the first of which opened in 2014 in Ulm, birthplace of the world-renowned scientist. A Munich site followed in 2018. This city also has a connection to Albert Einstein, as it is where he grew up. At the Einstein it’s all about bouldering, with an extensive range of routes available for ambitious athletes.
What you can expect
The hall boasts more than 150 boulders over two floors, with grades (Fb) ranging from 1a- to 8b.
And there’s plenty of fun for the kids
Children aged three and up can crawl through the Einstein-Höhle – a system of tunnels culminating in a slide that will take them back out into the open. Children up to six years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Of interest to pros
For strength training, the facility has a campus board, a peg board, various system boards, hangboards and pull-up bars.
For those who want to excel
The Einstein offers personal training sessions and individual one-on-one sessions. Courses are also offered in English.
What you need to bring
Comfortable clothes: you can rent climbing shoes on-site.
Einstein bouldering hall, Landsberger Strasse 185
Heavens Gate: a popular meeting point
Climbing in a silo: in 1998, a handful of enthusiasts bolted the first routes inside the 30-metre-tall disused potato flake silo that once belonged to the former Pfanni factory. Following a general refurbishment and extension
completed in 2021, Heavens Gate is now considerably larger. Spanning some 4,500 square metres both outdoors and indoors, the facility is certain to delight climbing and bouldering fans alike.
What you can expect
The route database contains an up-to-date overview of the routes in place.
Food and drink
The bistro serves different dishes every day, including vegetarian options.
Highlight
The 30-metre-high climbing walls in the former silos.
You can also climb solo
There are two “auto-belay” systems in place – mounted self-belaying systems that enable solo climbers to scale the wall without a partner to hold the rope.
Your first visit to Heavens Gate
You can rent climbing shoes for bouldering in the hall. As part of the registration process, those wishing to climb must confirm that they are proficient in the use of their safety apparatus and can tie their tie-in knots correctly. Harnesses, (long!) rope and climbing shoes can all be rented at the centre. If you have any doubts or questions regarding the safety equipment, you can also ask a trainer for some one-on-one assistance.
Heavens Gate, Speicherstrasse 21
Something for everyone: at the High-east
Brightly lit and air-conditioned – where sport is fun. Situated deep in the east of Munich, the High-east climbing hall is one of the highest in Germany, with routes reaching up to 18 metres. That may sound a little daunting – but the facility also offers ample top rope climbing opportunities for beginners. The two bouldering grottoes are divided into different grades, ensuring that experts and newbies don’t get in each other’s way.
What you can expect
2,100 square metres of climbing area (1,400 indoor and 700 outdoor) and climbing heights of up to 18 metres. Not to mention the two bouldering grottoes.
Food and drink
A small bistro with a view of the hall – after all, there’s always something you can learn.
Finally time for a private trainer
You can book a trainer for a minimum of two hours to practise techniques or complete fall training.
Solo climbing ...
... isn’t much fun. The centre’s website has a dedicated section where you can search for a climbing partner.
Your first visit to the High-east
You can rent materials such as shoes or rope for bouldering and climbing. As in most climbing halls, when you register as a climber you confirm that you are proficient in the necessary techniques and safety measures.
High-east climbing hall, Sonnenallee 2
Video: simply sporty
SVN München e.V. climbing centre: climbing, bouldering and beer garden
Founded in 1969, Sportverein Neuperlach (SVN/Neuperlach sports association) has a climbing centre which is located right beside the Neuperlach Zentrum U-Bahn station and rarely overrun. You don’t need to be a member to enjoy a spot of climbing or bouldering in a convivial atmosphere here.
What you can expect
There are around 100-120 indoor and 20-30 outdoor routes in total, while the bouldering area contains 100-150 boulders. Grades range between UIAA 4- and 10, with most routes falling into the middle range between UIAA 6 and 8. The walls in the indoor area are up to 15.5 metres in height, while those in the outdoor area are up to 12 metres high. Staff work meticulously on creating new routes in the climbing hall every Thursday.
Food and drink
The adjoining K2 Bistro offers visitors the opportunity to sit together after their exertions and enjoy some good food and drink as the day draws to a close. In summer, the beer garden in the outdoor area is open until 11.00 pm.
What you need to be able to do
You do not need any prior experience for bouldering, but you do need a certain level of skill for climbing. The hall offers basic and advanced levels for children, teens and adults.
Of interest to families
The hall offers a family rate: up to three children aged 14 or under can enjoy free entry for bouldering and climbing when accompanied by their parents. The family rate includes free use of a separate area for small children.
Your first visit to the SVN München e.V. climbing centre
You can rent all the climbing equipment you’ll need at the hall.
SVN e.V. climbing hall, Fritz-Erler-Strasse 3
For those who love their freedom: Kraxlkollektiv
Want to explore the city and go bouldering as well? The Kraxlkollektiv can help you do just that! The word kraxeln is a south-German word that more or less means ‘climbing’. The Kraxlkollektiv is an initiative started by a group of young climbers from the local divisions of the German Alpine Club. They are always seeking out new spots and hidden gems where people can go bouldering in Munich.
What you can expect
Urban bouldering and climbing spots all over the city.
If you’re after some relaxation ...
... you can take some time out along the banks of the Isar river or stop off at a cosy beer garden.
How to find the spots
Whether a bridge, a bouldering wall or a DIY boulder made by the Kraxlkollektiv itself, this map shows all of the various locations and also provides a detailed description of each.
Find out more at kraxlkollektiv.de
Text: Nansen & Piccard; Photos: DAV Kletter- und Boulderzentrum Thalkirchen, Boulderwelt München-Ost, Bruno Axhausen; Video: redline enterprises
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