Until very recently, climbing in the West Bank was focused on the crags around Ramallah and the valleys leading towards the Jordan Valley. In Bethlehem there are two climbing associations, PAMSD supported by the French Alpine Club, and Laylac (situated in Dheisheh refugee camp) supported by Italian climbers through the project West Climbing Bank (born from Acciaieria, a Milanese climbing gym with a reputation for civil disobedience and alternative culture). In 2017, local and international climbers developed the first routes around the historic and picturesque village of Battir. A year later, in December 2018, a group of Italian climbers came and developed more than 20 routes in one week. The routes are all between 4c and 6a which makes it an ideal spot for beginners. Battir is a very popular hiking area offering great views and a number of roman ruins and tombs. The village is also famous for an ancient democratic system of water distribution between the farmers. After a hot climbing day, you can find refreshments and much needed Palestinian food in one of several restaurants at the beginning of the hiking trail.
Development of climbing around Battir has only just begun. Just a ten minutes’ walk from the yellow cliff there are two big caves with a potential for about 20 routes, some of them in harder grades. If you are an experienced route developer and keen to establish new lines, contact us. Check for updates at the Wadi Climbing gym or at our friends from West Bank Climbing.
Leave No Trace:
Collect all of your trash (including cigarette buds), burn toilet paper, follow established trails, respect flora & fauna and even pick up trash that’s not yours.
