Thailand Guides - Rock Climbing

Rock and mountain climbing doesn’t have to mean snow and extreme altitudes. In Thailand, climbing is a warm-weather sport. And the mountains are home to some of the worlds last old-growth jungles. You may come upon an ancient temple or see a tribal village or elephants basking in a stream as tropical birds fill the air with their calls. The rewards of climbing in a warm country are different, but just as satisfying.

With a range of limestone outcrops occupying many parts of the southern peninsular, rock climbing becomes a popular activity among active travellers. Widely known as Thailand’s premier rock climbing destination, Krabi is blessed with imposing jungle-tipped cliffs, especially around Railay Beach and Ton Sai. The appeal of rock climbing here is its breathtaking view of the turquoise Andaman Sea and islands - this can only be seen from the wall while you are climbing the cliff. There are more than 650 bolted routes that range from beginner 5a’s to the extreme of 8c in French grading system. If you do not have experience in rock climbing, several climbing schools in the area are offering courses which will teach you to climb a cliff in half a day. And if you become addicted after the first climb, you can take a 3-day course to learn all about necessary techniques and climb in different conditions such as multipitch climbing and abseiling. Climbing gears are also available for hire. Look for schools that are accredited by the Australian Climbing Gyms Association (ACGA).