Good climbing can be found throughout the year, as Ottawa is close to several world-class rock climbing sites in the nearby Laurentian and Adirondack mountains. In fact, Ottawa has such a thriving climbing community that the city supports three indoor climbing gyms: Altitude Gym (in nearby Gatineau, Que.), Coyote Rock Gym and Vertical Reality. You can get all the practice you need before heading out to explore Ottawa’s scenic rock cliffs!
Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Park is home to the scenic Eardley Escarpment, which offers 64 different climbing routes over five different rock faces. Climbing spots can be found at the Home Cliff, another spot known as Twin Ribs – which includes the rock faces of Down Under, the Eastern Block and the Left Twin – and the Western Cwm (West). Bring your own gear and rig up to climbing anchors that have been set up by the National Capital Commission.
Ottawa and its surrounding region is also home to several ice climbing spots. Frozen cliffs and waterfalls can be found in the nearby Gatineau Park at the Eardley Escarpment, at Edelweiss Valley Ski Resort, at Lac du Poisson Blanc, Val-des-bois and in Calabogie, which is located about one hour west of downtown Ottawa. Gatineau Park is also home to the 100-metre (328-foot) Luskville Falls, which are known to freeze into a thick, climbable ice wall.
No matter the season, you’ll find great climbing in the Ottawa region! For more information on climbing areas visit the rockclimbing.com website.
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