I am planning a 6 month road trip next year between April and October...could people please give me advice on the must visit areas in Europe and some logistics of the sequence of places I should visit, transport etc, and cheapest way of doing it. I've been to Siruana, then travelled south to Chulilla, Costa Blanca and El Chorro before, but that's all I've been to in Europe. I don't mind sport climbing, but especially like big alpine rock routes. In my research so far, I'm thinking Kalymnos, Verdon, Northern Spain - Riglos and Pico de Europa, UK - Pembroke, Cloggy, Gritstone, Fairhead; Chamonix, Ceuse, Switzerland and Dolomites and the granite in northern Italy. Any other recommendations? Where should I start the trip..maybe UK and buy a car and just dirtbag and sleep in the car through Europe? Thanks for your help
I think Austria is unfairly overlooked - great scenery, cheaper living compared to France, Switzerland or Germany, terrific long multipitch as well as some shorter sports areas if that's your preference.
www.bergsteigen.at (which redirects to .com these days) is an online guide, only in German, but there's pretty piccies or Google Translate.
Did this one once, 38 pitches mostly bolted, that'll keep you busy: http://www.bergsteigen.com/klettern/tirol/loferer-und-leoganger-steinberge/ende-nie
Croatia should be on your list, but I've only climbed there a little. I'd go back to CliffBase though, great food, cheap accommodation, good swimming and bolted routes about 50m from your door. http://www.cliffbase.com/
For gawd's sake don't start in the UK in April - it'll probably snow on you!
Greece, Balkans & coastal Italy are all too hot to climb in mid-summer so start there.
Austria is pretty cool, join the Alpen Verein to get acces to huts and insurance.
The highway prices in France & Italy are crazy! In Austria you buy a weekly/monthly pass - same in Croatia I think, Czech Republic & Slovenia too from memory. And Germany is still free but may change for foreign vehicles soon.
Dolomites, Chamonix, Switzerland and Alps are good options for peak summer.
Be warned - dirtbagging is super difficult - there's no free camping like we have - it's all caravan parks and motels. You get the occasional quiet campground in the woods - but even then there'll be some Danish campervan parked next to your tent.
I've heard great stuff about Corsica but haven't been - sounds like a real adventure.
Getting a camper van may suit best for the length of time you'll be there. Most places you'll need to check in to a campground so buset accordingly.
I've done Euro-climbing via public transport & car - the former was probably more interesting - the latter definitely more convenient. I have family over there so didn't have to buy the car. Remember the Uk drive on the left - so if you buy there you'll be forever confused on the mainland.