🧗Re-opened after 2 years of closure!
From July 2022 till July 2024 this crag was closed by a ruling of the Department of Nature and Forests (DNF). Following hard work by CAB, the area could partially open again. As of July 2024, rocher principal is open for climbing again. All bolts have been checked and anchors have been replaced where necessary.
Sector Le Mont Bell will re-open in the near future, when renovation works have been completed.
Unfortunately, Rocher de la Croix will not open again as it is now a protected nature zone.
🇫🇷Français ci-dessous
🇬🇧 English:
Rochers du Calvaire, also known as just "Bomal" is the biggest crag in the Ourthe Valley. Bomal counts almost 100 routes, ranging from 3 to 8b. The crag consists out of 3 sectors; Rocher Principal (main), Rocher de la Croix et le Mont Bell. All 3 sectors are worth a visit.
All sectors are facing Southeast. In summer, it can get very warm, so better save your energy for sessions after 16h, when the shade arrives. In winter, the mild conditions are more than welcome and climbing is best between 10h and 15h. Some routes stay dry in the rain too. The crag is maintained by the UBS, the land is owned by the municipality of Durbuy.
Rocher Principal has a height of 8 to 20m. The climbing is mostly steep on slopers and crimps. There are no free cakes here. You need strength, technique and a good head. Due to the overhanging nature of the sector, magnesium doesn't wash off, so be kind and give it a brush after your send (or failure ;) ).
Sector Rocher de la Croix became a protected area in 2022 and will remain as such. Climbing is no longer allowed.
Sector Mont Bell is currently closed. It will reopen when renovation works have been completed. It is located a little bit further along the path. It's a vertical rockband of 7-12m in height. Climbing here is very technical on crimps. The style at Mont Bell is completely different from the other sectors.
🇫🇷 Français:
Les Rochers du Calvaire sont est un des plus gros sites d'escalade de la vallée de l'Ourthe. On y compte presque 100 voies allant du 3 au 8b. Ils se répartissent en 3 secteurs: Rocher Principal, Rocher de la Croix et le Mont Bell.
Les massifs sont orientés sud-est. Il y fait très très chaud en été. Ombre vers 16h. En hiver, on peut y grimper aussi sans problème entre 10h et 15h. En cas de pluie, grimpe possible aussi. Le site est géré par L'Union Belge de Spéléologie. C'est la commune de Durbuy qui est propriétaire du massif.
Le Rocher Principal a une hauteur qui varie entre 8m et 20m. L'escalade est déversente sur plats et réglettes. Rien n'est facile ici. Il faudra faire preuve de force, de technique et de mental. Du au caractère déversant du massif, il reste beaucoup de magnésie sur les prises.
Secteur Rocher de la Croix est devenu une zone protégée en 2022 et restera fermé. L'escalade n'est plus autorisée.
Le Mont Bell est situé un peu plus loin. C'est une barre verticale de 12 à 17m de haut. L'escalade est très technique sur réglettes. Le style est complètement différent des autres secteurs.