El Tornillo, the climbing wall we brought back in San Pedro Alcántara (Marbella, Costa del Sol)
It sat closed for fourteen years. The club fought for it to reopen in 2020, and today our club office is inside the tower.
Open every day. Monday to Friday 9:00 to 22:30 and weekends 10:00 to 20:00, at the Palacio de los Deportes Elena Benítez. If nobody's there, ask for the keys at the sports centre reception and leave proof that you hold a federation licence, such as a printed screenshot of the club's Playoff app. There's also a canyoning training wall and a training shaft for practising rope techniques.
Climbing wall rules
- Climb with a federation licence (FADMES, the Andalusian mountain sports federation, or FAE with the extended card) and as a member of a local club.
- Leave proof of your federation licence at the sports centre reception. A printed screenshot of the Ama Dablam Playoff app (how to get it), a printed screenshot of the FADMES app or your FAE card all work.
- Don't bring friends or family to climb if they don't have a federation licence.
- Look after your own safety and your partners': check each other before every route.
- No animals, alcohol or smoking, and keep the music down.
- Leave the area tidy and stick to the opening hours.
El Tornillo takes up to 46 climbers at once and La Cueva, 18. Both walls were built by TOP30 between 2003 and 2004.
Four facilities in one
It's all on the same site, next to the Palacio de los Deportes Elena Benítez: three climbing areas and a canyoning training wall.
- El TornilloThe tower: up to 46 climbers at once and 246 protection points
- La CuevaUp to 18 climbers and 65 protection points; this is where the kids' climbing course runs
- El RocoThe long wall: up to 26 climbers, 111 protection points and the oldest, from around 2001
- Canyoning training wall and shaftFor canyoning and caving rope techniques
Canyoning training wall and shaft
Next to the climbing walls, the club has kitted out a canyoning training wall and a training shaft so you can practise rope techniques before heading to the river or the cave.
- Hours
- Tuesday 10:00 to 13:00 and 19:00 to 22:00; Thursday 19:00 to 22:00.
- Booking
- Ask for a place by email at [email protected] on the Tuesday of the week before.
- Requirement
- A federation licence that covers the discipline. If you're not a club member, you need the canyoning wall and shaft card.
Climb with another club? Climbing wall card
If you have a federation licence but aren't a member of a local club, you can use the climbing walls in San Pedro Alcántara and Marbella with the CAAD card.
- €15one month
- €251 July to 31 December
- €40full year
- Make the bank transferFor the option you need, with your full name and «Tarjeta rocódromo» as the reference. Keep the receipt.
- Sign up on PlayoffAttach the receipt to the form.
- To get inGo to the sports centre reception and leave proof of your federation licence (a printed screenshot of the FADMES app or your FAE card; the licence must cover Andalusia) and the document we give you. Bring your ID.
How to get here
The walls are next to the Palacio de los Deportes Elena Benítez in San Pedro Alcántara, between Marbella and Estepona and very close to Benahavís and Nueva Andalucía. You go in through the sports complex.
- Address
- C/ Fuente Nueva s/n, 29670 San Pedro Alcántara, Marbella
- Hours
- Monday to Friday 9:00 to 22:30; weekends 10:00 to 20:00.
- Reception
- This is where you leave proof of your federation licence and ask for the keys if nobody's there.
- Directions
- Get directions on Google Maps
The map is from Google and only loads if you ask for it.
Open in Google MapsQuestions about the San Pedro Alcántara climbing wall
What are the climbing wall's opening hours?
It's open every day: Monday to Friday 9:00 to 22:30 and weekends 10:00 to 20:00. It's next to the Palacio de los Deportes Elena Benítez (C/ Fuente Nueva s/n, San Pedro Alcántara). If nobody's there, ask for the keys at the sports centre reception.
Can I climb if I'm not a club member?
Yes, if you have a federation licence that covers Andalusia. With the club's climbing wall card (€15 for one month, €25 from 1 July to 31 December or €40 for the full year) you can use the climbing walls in San Pedro Alcántara and Marbella. You get it on Playoff.
I don't have a federation licence. How can I try it?
To climb on your own you need a federation licence, but you can start with a climbing taster day: a day out with one of the club's instructors, with the basic gear included.
What do I need to leave at reception?
Proof of your federation licence: a printed screenshot of the club's Playoff app, a printed screenshot of the FADMES app or your FAE card. If you're coming with the climbing wall card, bring your ID as well.
Can I bring a friend who doesn't have a federation licence?
No. Everyone who climbs must have a federation licence: that way they're covered by the insurance if anything happens.
How do I use the canyoning training wall and shaft?
On Tuesdays 10:00 to 13:00 and 19:00 to 22:00 and on Thursdays 19:00 to 22:00, booking a place by email at [email protected] on the Tuesday of the week before. You need a licence that covers the discipline and, if you're not a member, the canyoning wall and shaft card.
From the first request, in 1989, to today
First request
The club asks for a climbing wall for San Pedro for the first time.
The walls go up
TOP30 builds El Tornillo (2003) and La Cueva (2004). El Tornillo would go on to host two European championships.
Fourteen years closed
The facility sits unused for fourteen years.
Back in council hands
The Town Council takes back ownership of the climbing wall, which had passed to a private company, and starts restoring it.
Reopening
After years of pushing by the club, the Town Council brings back El Tornillo, Roco and La Cueva. In September, the club office moves inside the tower. Read the news story from 13 July 2020 (in Spanish).
Competitions are back
The club hosts rounds of the Andalusian Cup in 2021, 2022 and 2025.
And every year, kept in shape
The rescue didn't end in 2020: every year the club checks and looks after the walls, with a crane and a lifting platform when needed, so the climbing wall stays in good shape.
