The best climbing areas in Europe – for improving your skills — theguardian.com

So you’ve done some single-pitch sport climbs and want to try longer, more adventurous routes? The big slabs on the lower reaches of the Ailefroide, a 4,000m peak in the Écrins region of the French Alps might be what you’re looking for. Predominantly bolt-protected and with straightforward access, there are dozens of moderate routes on these slabs, set in an idyllic Alpine valley, that provide a great introduction to multi-pitch climbing (routes normally longer than 50m climbed in different stages, or “pitches”). If you want to climb in Yosemite one day but don’t know where to try out multi-pitch climbing (Dawn Wall is a 32-pitch climb), this place could well be it. As with off-piste skiing, it is highly recommended that anyone new to multi-pitch climbing hires a guide: the Bureau des Guides in nearby Pelvoux will be able to arrange this. • Doubles at Chalet Hotel d’Ailferoide from €40pp a night B&B or €57 half-board

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