Climbing Gyms in Lebanon: Bouldering, Top Rope, and Outdoor Crags

Indoor climbing has gone from niche to mainstream in Beirut over the past decade. New gyms feature 12-metre walls, dedicated bouldering rooms, and training boards. Most also organise outdoor trips to Tannourine and Jabal Moussa.

Types of climbing

• Bouldering: short, hard problems on padded floors — no rope.
• Top rope: rope anchored at the top — safest for beginners.
• Lead climbing: the climber clips the rope into anchors as they go.
• Outdoor: sport routes bolted into rock; needs additional certification.

Grading systems

• Bouldering uses the V-scale (V0 easy to V16 elite) or Font scale (3–9C).
• Rope routes use French sport grades (4a easy to 9c elite) or Yosemite (5.0–5.15).
• Lebanese gyms typically use Font for bouldering and French for ropes.

Starting out

• Most gyms sell day passes plus rental shoes and chalk.
• A two-session belay course teaches you to safely belay a partner.
• Children's classes from age 5 are common.
• For outdoor climbing, take a course on lead climbing and anchor management before going to crags.