Overview
An outdoor bouldering wall is an artificial structure made of concrete, timber or composite panels, studded with holds of different shapes and sizes. It is kept low enough to climb without a rope, coming down by climbing back or jumping onto impact-absorbing ground. Some sites have a single wall; others have a sculpted block with several faces, some vertical, some slabby, some overhanging.
These structures fall under EN 12572-2, the standard for bouldering walls. The ground around them must absorb falls: impact-absorbing surfaces are covered by EN 1177. A good wall has a wide, well-kept landing zone, tightly fixed holds, a range of difficulty and sometimes colour-coded problems so you can progress. Free-access bouldering walls are not covered by EN 15312, which deals with multisport courts and similar equipment.
On the Oukonjou map you will find the bouldering walls listed in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Andorra and Monaco. For outdoor bars and fitness equipment, see street workout instead.
Where to find bouldering walls
9 bouldering walls listed in 8 towns.
By country
Best-equipped towns
- Lausanne 2
- Paris 1
- Nantes 1
- Strasbourg 1
- Fort-de-France 1
- Bern 1
- Fribourg 1
- Encamp 1
Who it's for
Rules of use
There is no referee and no score on a free bouldering wall, but a few shared rules let everyone climb safely.
- One person at a time on any given problem, and nobody underneath a climber.
- Stay out of the landing zone while someone is climbing above it: that is where they will fall.
- Come down the safest way, climbing down where you can, rather than jumping from height.
- Follow any minimum age, maximum height or instructions shown on the site sign.
- Do not climb on a wall that is wet or icy, or where holds are loose.
- Children climb under adult supervision, with the adult close by to spot.
- Do not move holds or tamper with the landing surface. Report loose holds to the site manager.
- Wait your turn when several people want to climb the same section of wall.
Safety and gear
- Before you climb, check that the landing surface is in good condition, thick and free of holes, with nothing lying on it.
- Learn to fall: soft knees, land on your feet, then roll onto your back with your arms close to your body.
- Have a partner spot you, especially on overhangs or above uneven ground.
- Warm up your fingers, wrists and shoulders before pulling hard on small holds.
- Take off rings, watches and necklaces that could catch on holds.
- Do not climb after rain: holds become slippery and the ground may be waterlogged.
- Do not push past your limit when climbing alone: tired climbers fall badly.
Regulations
It covers artificial climbing structures, part 2: bouldering walls. It sets safety requirements and test methods for these structures.
It covers impact-absorbing surfaces, which reduce the shock of a fall. At the foot of a bouldering wall, a well-kept impact-absorbing surface is a climber's first line of protection.
European standards are adopted in Belgium (NBN EN), Switzerland (SN EN) and Luxembourg. Compliance is voluntary, but after an accident the courts will in practice check whether they were followed.
In France, the mayor can set opening hours for public facilities by municipal order, and a posted notice often specifies an age limit or conditions of use for the wall. That notice is the reference.
Go by the rules displayed next to the structure, often in Catalan, the country's official language.
Access and conditions of use are those shown on site by the structure's manager.
European standards are voluntary, but they are the reference when an accident happens. The rules posted on site always come first.
Etiquette
- Give others a turn after a few attempts on the same problem.
- Let children and beginners have the easier sections of the wall.
- Brush off the chalk you leave on holds and do not leave piles of it on the ground.
- Keep bags and bottles out of the landing zone.
- Encourage without forcing advice on people: some prefer to work out a problem on their own.
- Take your rubbish home, including used finger tape.
Glossary
- Bouldering
- Rope-free climbing on low structures or rocks. A single short route is called a problem.
- Hold
- A shape bolted to or moulded into the wall, used for your hands and feet.
- Crimp
- A thin, flat edge that only the tips of your fingers can hold.
- Overhang
- Part of the wall that leans out towards the climber. More physical, it works the arms and core.
- Slab
- Part of the wall that is less than vertical, where balance and footwork matter more than strength.
- Spotting
- A partner guiding a falling climber so they land on their feet, with back and head protected.
- Crash pad
- A thick, portable mat placed at the foot of a boulder to cushion landings.
- Chalk
- White powder that dries your hands and improves grip on the holds.
Sport climbing has been an Olympic sport since Tokyo 2020, with bouldering as one of its disciplines. Free outdoor walls let you give it a go without a gym membership.
What to bring
- Climbing shoes
- Chalk bag and chalk
- Hold brush
- Crash pad
- Finger tape
FAQ
Is the wall free to use?
Walls listed as free-access on Oukonjou cost nothing and need no booking. A posted notice may set opening hours or a minimum age.
Do I need a rope or harness?
No. Bouldering is done without a rope, on a low structure above impact-absorbing ground. A partner to spot you and, if you have one, a crash pad make it safer.
Do I need climbing shoes?
Not to start with: clean trainers will do. Climbing shoes give much better grip and precision once you start to progress.
How old do you have to be?
It depends on the structure and on the posted rules, which sometimes set a minimum age. Either way, children should climb with an adult close by to spot them.
Can I climb in the rain?
Better to wait until the wall and holds are dry. Wet holds are slippery and the landing surface may be waterlogged.
A hold is loose or the ground is damaged. What should I do?
Do not climb that section and let the site manager know, usually the local council. The sign on site normally gives a contact.