Multipitch Atlas

Vega Baja (Orihuela & Callosa)

Spain

The Vega Baja ranges of southern Alicante province rise out of the plain near Orihuela and Callosa de Segura. The 150 m south-facing Pared Negra (Sierra de Orihuela) has compact limestone with good friction and bolted four-pitch lines, with a 20 min approach and a short abseil/fixed-rope descent. The Sierra de Callosa nearby has longer spurs. These are winter venues: avoid the summer sun, and check the seasonal climbing restrictions on some Callosa crags.

Routes
4
Grade span
5+to6b+
Longest route: Espolón P.D.P.
500 m

Where and when

Location and climate

Loading map

Centroid of Pared Negra (Orihuela) and Sierra de Callosa (Redován) · 27 m

Monthly climate averages for Vega Baja (Orihuela & Callosa), 1991-2020
MeasureJan (usual season)Feb (usual season)Mar (usual season)Apr (usual season)MayJunJulAugSepOct (usual season)Nov (usual season)Dec (usual season)
Mean daily high °C161820232631333329252017
Mean daily low °C56811141821211814106
Rain days 1 mm or more445542125554

● marks the usual climbing season. Averages for 1991-2020 at about 27 m. Area climate from Open-Meteo reanalysis. Temperatures are adjusted to the height of the crag; rain comes from a grid cell of about 10 to 25 km, and summer highs on sea cliffs can read a few degrees low. The wall and valley can differ. Data: Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0.

4 routes

Routes in Vega Baja (Orihuela & Callosa)

The south-east flank of the Sierra de Orihuela below the Cruz de la Muela, seen across the Vega Baja from Bigastro; Pared Negra is one of the walls on this flank (the exact wall is not marked).

Spain · Vega Baja (Orihuela & Callosa)

Código Vertical

A popular modern four-pitch classic on Pared Negra's compact grey limestone, around UIAA 6/6+ (about French 6a). Best on cool, sunny winter days.

6a4 pitches150 m

The big orange limestone wall of the Sierra de Callosa directly above Redován, seen from the edge of the village.

Spain · Vega Baja (Orihuela & Callosa)

Botri

The classic of Redován: ten pitches and 300 m of steady grade 5 with three steeper pitches on red rock. The eighth pitch, a traverse right into an overhanging corner above the orange cliffs, is the one people remember. Closed from January to June for nesting eagles.

6a+10 pitches300 m

The big orange limestone wall of the Sierra de Callosa directly above Redován, seen from the edge of the village.

Spain · Vega Baja (Orihuela & Callosa)

Espolón P.D.P.

A long, steady V+ spur to the summit of the Sierra de Callosa on exceptional rock. Many terraces allow a safe retreat, which makes it good mileage for building multipitch experience. Check local seasonal climbing restrictions in the Sierra de Callosa.

5+9 pitches500 m

Read the cautions

The big orange limestone wall of the Sierra de Callosa directly above Redován, seen from the edge of the village.

Spain · Vega Baja (Orihuela & Callosa)

Tribo

Five pitches up the centre of La Pancha, the main wall above Redován. The second pitch climbs the middle of a red pillar with a polished crux on flat holds; the 40 m last pitch is an elegant slab that looks much harder than it is. Outside the bird closure that affects Botri.

6b+5 pitches150 m

Local words

At the crag and in town

Spanish

cuerda
rope
cinta exprés
quickdraw
chapa
bolt hanger
reunión
belay, anchor
largo
pitch
¡Pilla!
Take!
¡Dame cuerda!
Slack!
¡Reunión!
Safe, I'm at the belay

Catalan

corda
rope
cinta exprés
quickdraw
xapa
bolt hanger
reunió
belay, anchor
llarg
pitch
Pilla!
Take!
Dona'm corda!
Slack!
Reunió!
Safe, I'm at the belay

Spain

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