Cinque Torri, best summer climbing destination

The spring is here and if you plan next summer climbing holiday, we have one climbing destination for you. Last Summer Klemen Bečan with his family spent some time in the Dolomites, Italy and had a great chance to climb on Cinque Torri. This amazing rock formation is located at an altitude of 2137 meters and has five main pillars. But there are more than five towers spread out. When the summer heat hits the valley, the best thing to do is go to the mountains, so Cinque Torri is the place to be.

The towers can be reached by car (but only early in the morning because parking spots are limited) or by taxi (9 € one way), chairlift (price is 18-24 €, depending on the month) or by foot (1 hour) from the main parking lot. July and August are the best months for climbing there, with warm temperatures and a bit of wind, and if the sun is too strong, there are plenty of routes in the shade. The view from Cinque Torri is incredibly stunning everywhere you look. If you would like to stay overnight the best place to stay is Rifugio Cinque Torri.

The biggest area for climbing is Torre Grande, where you can climb on the north, south, east, and west face. We were climbing on the south and west face and I can say there are the best routes on Cinque Torri graded from 6a to 8a+. The rock is excellent and the moves are incredibly nice on pockety and crimpy sharp holds. On the south face, the rock is more orange in color, and on the west face, it is more greyish. Both walls have very good rock quality.

Torre Latina is one smaller tower with nice easier routes, graded from 4c to 6a, and the sun hits only in late afternoon.

When you get to the parking lot, with lots of cars, traffic, and people everywhere, you think that it will be crowded up there. On climbing walls there are few people though, the rest is spread out in the mountains. Climbers are not the only visitors there, hikers and others come to visit the open war museum remaining from World War I with bunkers and trenches. Hiking around towers is quite easy and suitable for families with kids.

Cinque Torri is one of the best summer climbing destinations for everyone who loves to be in nature, with fantastic view and excellent quality of the rock.

Klemen & Anja Bečan
(photo: Bečans' archive & Singing Rock)