As outdoor enthusiasts, the allure of freedom, connection with nature, and the thrill of climbing has always been strong. With a growing family, we wanted to continue our passion and include our child. We discovered that bouldering was the most suitable and family-friendly option compared to rope climbing, especially with a little one. Therefore, we explored Val Daone, a premier bouldering spot in our homeland of Trentino, as a family.
Boulder Park La Plana
Val Daone boasts virtually endless bouldering spots, and we started our exploration at a family-friendly one: Boulder Park La Plana. This park has become our ideal escape from the summer heat and peak season crowds. We appreciate this valley’s exceptional draw: world-class bouldering in a truly wild and authentic setting.
The Boulder Park La Plana offers a large, free parking lot, making it convenient for families traveling with vans who might want to stay overnight. This parking area is just a short five-minute walk to the climbing stones and even includes a chemical toilet and a fountain – thoughtful additions for families spending the day outdoors.
Furthermore, within a three-minute walk from the bouldering area, a small river provides a refreshing escape, even for little ones who enjoy a cool dip. With regard to climbing, there’s a wide spectrum of bouldering, ensuring something for everyone, from beginner to expert. Importantly for families, there are also smaller bouldering sections perfect for introducing children to their first roped climbing experiences. While there’s no map on-site, you can either ask other climbers about the difficulty levels or purchase a guidebook in advance (we didn’t).
One of the standout family-friendly features at Boulder Park La Plana is the abundance of shade. Even during the August heat, we always found our own shaded spot, allowing us to comfortably enjoy the bouldering and the surrounding nature. The spacious environment also meant our child had plenty of room to explore safely.
The Val Daone area is also home to two other well-known bouldering spots: Nudole and Dos dei Aser. We are excited to explore these other spots with our family in the future!
For families wanting to introduce their children to climbing in nature, Val Daone is ideal. We met other families with young kids there. Everyone loved the valley’s wild and authentic charm.
Beyond Val Daone: Montalbano Boulder Park
While Val Daone remains our top recommendation for family climbing, we also explored the Montalbano Boulder Park in Mori, Trentino. Although it doesn’t have the sheer volume of stones and routes found in Val Daone, it’s still a lovely destination.
The lack of shade makes it better suited for cooler times of the day. The park has a large field with barbecue facilities and beautiful city views. This sparked our dreams of organizing a family bouldering event there. The smaller stones and shorter routes at Montalbano are good for beginners. An ancient monastery adds a unique touch to the experience.
Trentino is truly a region rich in bouldering opportunities, and our exploration of family-friendly climbing locations is ongoing. Stay tuned for more updates on our family hiking trips and climbing adventures in our homeland Trentino and beyond!
