Franz Josef Glacier Ice Climbing ♦
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Franz Josef area
Awesome glacier accessed via helicopter; local guide companies offer nice ice climbing and glacier hiking options.
Willow Hole
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Hike through the Wonderland of Rocks area to a seasonal water source with willow trees.
Skull Rock
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Loop trail through a maze of cool rock formations, including the notable Skull Rock; several climbing areas are nearby.
Desert Queen Mine
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Explore the remains of a successful gold mine including mine shafts, various pieces of mining equipment, and some building ruins.
Wonderland of Rocks Traverse
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Epic semi-technical day hike through the massive boulders of the Wonderland of Rocks.
Hidden Valley
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Easy loop hike around a beautiful natural enclosure with great climbing options.
Green Climbers Home
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
A climber’s dream – a beautiful eco-resort with adorable bungalows at the base of some of Laos’ stunning karst mountains.
Grotto Canyon ♦
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park
Fun non-technical winter canyon hike that also offers ice climbing options and features hoodoos and a cave.
Johnston Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Classic hike through a beautiful non-technical canyon in any season; in winter the waterfalls freeze and offer ice climbing opportunities
Poway Crags
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Nice, low traffic climbing area in a scenic location that’s home to a popular hike
Mission Gorge
Location: California, San Diego, Santee
Popular climbing area with easy access and a large number of climbs
Descanso
Location: California, San Diego area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Less frequented climbing area with a quick approach and around 30 climbs
Dixon Lake
Location: California, San Diego, Escondido
Extremely quick approach to a handful of climbs; features some nice beginner climbing
Malibu Creek State Park ♦
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
State Park where Planet of the Apes and MASH were filmed; offers nice hikes and various fun climbing spots
Echo Cliffs
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Relatively quick approach to some excellent climbing, with climbs appropriate for all levels (beginner to expert)
Hueco Wall
Location: California area, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains
Nice approach hike to a less frequented climbing area with intermediate to advanced climbs
Point Dume
Location: California, Los Angeles area, Santa Monica Mountains
Popular beginner climbing area on a coastal cliff
Wagon Caves
Location: California, East of Big Sur
Rarely visited lovely area in the Los Padres National Forest with cool rock formations and climbing options
Culp Valley
Location: California, Anza Borrego Desert
Nice bouldering area right off the main road into Borrego Springs
Vatnajökull
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell
Nice glacier offering hiking and ice climbing options
Looking Glass Rock
Location: North Carolina, Brevard Area, Pisgah National Forest
Nice beginner climbing spot with a few harder climbs
Calico Hills
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon
Notable red rock hills with pretty striations; home to over 200 sport climbing routes
Echo Lake State Park
Location: New Hampshire, Conway
State park with some short hiking options and a well-known area for very nice climbing
San Luis Obispo
Location: California, Southern Pacific Coast, South of Big Sur
Nice town with a picturesque spot for some mediocre climbing, a mission founded in 1772, and a large coastal sand dune system
Fox Glacier ♦
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Fox Glacier area
Scenic glacier with blue ice and nice ice climbing opportunities