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