Crag features

Sella remains the most popular area in the Costa Blanca. There is enough climbing to spend a whole week's holiday here, although other areas are worth a visit too! The most popular section is the long ridge in the centre of the valley which has a superb series of south-facing walls and buttresses, however, if you stray from the crowds, you may be rewarded with some peace and solitude. In hot weather the north-facing Pared de Rosalía is well-worth considering, with its fine long routes in the mid and harder grades. Further along the road from the main area is the Mecca for hard climbers, called the Hidden Valley, and you can't really miss the final jewel in the crown - The Divino sits majestically above everything and is worth attention from all those who demand a bit more from their climbing.

The routes in the main area tend to be fingery and technical on single-pitch slabs and low-angled walls. All the routes are well bolted. On the Pared de Rosalía it is worth getting your rack out, although there are some fully bolted multi-pitch outings here as well. In the Hidden Valley you will find yourself grappling with tufas and pockets on wild and steep walls, but it is only really worth considering if you lead 7a or above. The Divino has mainly long traditional routes, but the lower sections do contain some sport routes albeit mostly in the harder grades.

It is usually possible to find sun or shade when required, although it is rather less of a winter-sun venue than you might think, since the tall surrounding walls tend to keep the low sun off except in the middle of the day. Most of the crags are well sheltered except for the Pared de Rosalía and the Divino which should be treated as mountain crags. The main area dries quickly after rain. If it is raining, most of the Hidden Valley crags will stay dry. However, they will seep after prolonged spells of bad weather.