Sport climbers often seek excellent tufas with stunning ocean panoramas for their adventures. Others would insist that picture-perfect granite walls set against lush woodland backdrops are the best. Bouldering geeks of the present era would vouch that smacking beautiful sandstone slopers is just as fun as the traditionalists' exclusive focus on massive walls in alpine environments. Many climbing disciplines make it difficult to name even the greatest regions for rock climbing.

Need a recommendation on where to climb next? This article highlights some of the world's most famous travel places and discusses what makes them so unique. Before leaving for your next trip, remember to get your rock climbing jacket from Arcteryx.

Tonsai and Railay, Thailand

Rock climbing at Railay Beach in Krabi, Thailand, is on most travelers' bucket lists, and it's simple to understand why! It has everything a keen boulderer or outdoor ropes climber might desire, including towering limestone cliffs and breathtaking sea vistas. 

Located east of Krabi, Railay (or Rai Leh as the locals name it) is an idyllic Thai island famed for its beautiful beaches and towering limestone cliffs. These massive karsts separate Railay from the mainland, so the only way to get there is via a long-tail boat, which is an adventure. It is widely recognized as one of the best rock climbing sites in the world, and climbers have referred to it as "the climber's paradise" since there are so many routes to take on the rock.

Climbers and boulderers worldwide go here to try their hand at the area's most challenging routes. Yet Railay isn't only for the experienced; it provides climbing possibilities for just about everybody, no matter how many talents they may have under their harness. This makes climbing a must-try activity for any traveler to Krabi and Railay Beach.

Dolomites Italy

The Dolomites are home to some of the best climbing in the world and some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet, thanks to their towering pinnacles, spires, and limestone cliffs. Whether you're a novice climber or an expert searching for a new challenge, this stunning region of the Italian Alps has something for you. 

The Dolomites are located in northeastern Italy, up against Austria, and was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for a good cause. The landscape is just breathtaking. These mountains are unlike any on Earth due to their incredible range of color and structure. The mountains here provide excellent winter skiing opportunities and climbing, bicycling, and hiking from late spring to early fall. Visitors come from far and wide to scale the via ferrata, the roped-off cliff faces that wind their way through the First World War-era minefields.

Anybody who has trekked in the Dolomites can attest to the region's appeal as a cultural crossroads.

Yosemite National Park - USA

Yosemite is the most well-known spot in the world for rock climbers. El Capitan is one of the most breathtaking faces anywhere, and climbing in Yosemite National Park has been the subject of several acclaimed documentaries and feature films. 

In addition, it has become a center of climbing culture, especially in the United States. This is a popular national park since it is one of those places that many people feel compelled to visit.

Rocklands, South Africa

Driving north from Cape Town, South Africa's oldest city, it takes three hours to reach Rocklands, a popular bouldering region. In the desert of the Cederberg Wilderness region, miles and miles of perfectly formed red and orange sandstone boulders may be found.

Some of the world's most iconic boulderers have been forged and refined on the flawless orange sandstone of Rocklands.

While most bouldering occurs in Pakhuis, Agterpakhuis, and Wupperthal Commanage, new locations are built almost every climbing season. Rockland's location in the southern hemisphere makes it an attractive tourist destination for those in the northern hemisphere during the summer. 

Zermatt Switzerland

Climbing in Zermatt is more than simply a matter of climbing rock faces; it's a full-fledged alpine expedition that necessitates traversing glaciers, navigating high elevations, and figuring out intricate logistics. Even the simplest climbs need a basic familiarity with alpine climbing techniques. 

One mountain, in particular, stands out while discussing climbing in the Zermatt area. It's the magnificent Matterhorn, towering above the city at around 5,000 meters. Powerful and unique, its pyramidal form sets it apart from other mountains. 

The Matterhorn represents a formidable alpine challenge. You'll need good acclimatization, top-notch fitness, and the ability to travel confidently up precarious ridges. Only experienced alpinists should attempt to climb without a guide.

Squamish Canada

About an hour's drive north of Vancouver, it has all the amenities of a city and the granite that will delight enthusiasts of the Front Range. Both traditional climbing and modern climbing (sport) are available, as are intimidatingly large walls, world-class single-pitch routes, and excellent boulder challenges.

Only some locations provide a wide variety of high-quality routes across various difficulty levels and climbing styles. Squamish is unique because of this, plus the abundance of accessible crags. There are many splitter cracks since the climbing is done on the best smooth granite. Every grade from 5.8 to 5.14 has at least one iconic crack line. 

To those who have never tried crack climbing before, consider booking a day of guided rock climbing in Squamish since this is one of those situations when having a local expert by your side can be useful. Climbers have fallen off the cracks much below their average sport climbing ability. 

Another area in Squamish is the Chief. The Chief, a massive 700-meter granite wall, towers above Squamish and is the town's most famous climbing attraction. You'll have to put in some effort to add "Climbed the Chief" to your resume. 

The quickest path to the top is just 5.9, but you'll need to move quickly before dark. For a first taste of climbing and some practice with rapid footwork, We recommend going on any of the smaller walls, like the Apron. We recommend getting an early start since the gentler ways up the Chief are quite popular.