Santa Ana is a very nice zone but perhaps its location, further west than most of the other Lleida zones, means it stays relatively quiet. There are now close to 200 routes spread across 15 separate sectors here and the climbing is extremely varied, from technical walls and strenuous cracks to powerful roofs. The spread of grades runs from IV+ to 9a+, with some of the 6s being amongst the finest in the region. Thanks to the various orientations of its sectors climbing is possible in Santa Ana throughout the year. That said, even in the shade, mid-summer temperatures can be uncomfortably high, while in winter (December to mid-January) anti-cyclonic conditions often give rise to dense, freezing fog in this low-lying area.
🧗♂️ Escaleras al Cielo
Description: The focal point of this sector is an impressive cave featuring some extremely powerful roof-routes. Either side of the cave there are a number of less steep, less difficult offerings. Orientation: east.
🚶♂️From P1 walk back over the bridge and turn immediately left onto a footway, then descend a metal staircase to the riverbank and the base of the sector (3 minutes).
🧗♂️El Sendero
Description: A long, interesting sector with a varied selection of routes, mostly in the 6th and 7th grades. Orientation: east.
🚶♂️From P1 walk back over the bridge then climb the concrete steps on the right and follow a path down to the base of the sector (3 minutes).
🧗♂️Placa Vermella & L’Esperó
Description: These two conjoined sectors offer some nice routes. Orientation: southeast for Placa Vermella; east for L’Esperó.
🚶♂️From P1 walk back over the bridge then climb the concrete steps on the right and follow a path leading down to El Sendero. From right-hand side of this sector continue along the main path for 10m before turning right onto a smaller path leading through dense bushes and trees. Follow this for approximately 100m to the base of Placa Vermella (8 minutes). The routes on the upper part of this sector, as well as those on L’Esperó, are reached by climbing a short fixed rope on the right up to a higher terrace. Note: the huge boulder situated directly below L’Esperó is home to six routes from V to 6c.
🧗♂️Agulles Sud
Description: When first arriving in Santa Ana the view is dominated by a series of very impressive towers on the right-hand skyline. These are the Agulles (Needles). The south side offers a number of superb grade 6 climbs — as good as anywhere in Lleida province in this grade. Orientation: southwest (although some of the sidewalls vary slightly).
🚶♂️From P1 walk up the road towards the dam for approximately 75m then take a well-marked path on the right. This leads up and left across the hillside passing a short steep section equipped with iron rungs and fixed ropes to the base of the pinnacles (10 minutes, unsuitable for non-climbers and dogs). Note: the first route Popeye/Roc & Roc (4 pitches) starts directly from the road, just to the left of the tunnel entrance.
🧗♂️Agulles Nord
Description: The north side of the Agulles feels far less ‘friendly’ than the south side, partly because of the ever-present shade and partly because the routes are generally considerably more difficult. Orientation: north.
🚶♂️From P1 continue driving towards the dam, passing through two more short road-tunnels, to parking places on the left (P2). Walk back through the first tunnel then follow a path on the left, climbing the hillside below the north face of the pinnacles (5 minutes). The routes situated on the right-hand wall are reached by climbing fixed ropes and iron rungs (unsuitable for non-climbers and dogs).
🧗♂️Paret del Vent
Description: The lower (left-hand) side of this sector offers a number of fine 6th and 7th grade climbs, while higher up a huge cave and roof system is home to a selection of extremely difficult and impressive climbs, as well as a few futuristic-looking projects. Orientation: southwest.
🚶♂️there are two possible approaches.
1| Directly opposite P1 a path leads up the hillside. Follow this and continue rightwards for about 30m to arrive at the top of the left-hand end of Paret del Vent. From here descend a slabby gully using fixed ropes and iron rungs (unsuitable for non-climbers and dogs) to the base of the wall (10-15 minutes).
2| From the foot of the metal staircase on the approach to Escaleras al Cielo cross the river via a narrow concrete walkway then scramble directly up the hill side to below the right-hand side of Paret del Vent (10 minutes).
🧗♂️Exploradors
Description: This is the impressive wall situated high up in the gully to the right of sector Paret del Vent. The walk-in is quite steep and long (25 minutes) but the routes are good enough to make the effort worthwhile. Orientation: south.
🚶♂️The first stage of the approach is the same as for sector Paret del Vent: from the foot of the metal staircase on the approach to Escaleras al Cielo cross the river via a narrow concrete walkway then scramble directly up the hill side to below the right-hand side of Paret del Vent. From here continue rightwards at the same level before scrambling up the steep hillside below the wall (some fixed ropes) to the base of the sector (25 minutes).
