Garga Suyu is the classic crag for climbing in the North and the first developed sport crag in the area. This sector offers varied and interesting climbing with good options at every level. You’ll also find one of the most striking caves on the island with hard lines waiting for ascents. Looking out from the cave with Pentadaktylos looming in the background makes for a unique experience.
Conditions
Garga Suyu is a north-facing wall perfect for summer and warm spring and autumn days. It’s also possible to climb on calm, warmer winter days. The sector can be noisy due to the road below.
Sport climbing development started in 2006 in the North, driven by Nazo Canitez, a Cypriot climber who learned to climb in the US and then returned to Cyprus with a whole new outlook on the island’s potential. On a trip to Geyikbayiri, Nazo invited Dogan Paul, a Turkish route developer, to open routes in Cyprus. Epic scouting missions identified Garga Suyu as the most promising and accessible crag. Dogan and Nazo, supported by Inan Tasci, Tunc Findik and Sinan Demirtas, opened the first five lines in Garga. Dogan returned for bolting at Garga several times between 2006 and 2013.
Developing Garga in 2006 was a labour of love for Nazo and her team. Nazo’s father was running up and down from the village charging drill batteries, while her mother was supporting the group with tea and much-needed sustenance. As they developed the cliff, they had people standing on the road below to stop traffic as they removed giant blocks. Nazo lost her mother in 2007, so the cliff holds cherished memories for Nazo and her family.
