Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the Netherlands Groningen Excalibur Climbing Wall

Excalibur Climbing Wall

This imposing tower named after the mythical sword of King Arthur is considered the tallest freestanding climbing wall in the world.

Groningen, Netherlands

Added By
David Doochin
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The climbing wall. (Photo:   travpacker.com/CC BY-ND 2.0)
The Excalibur wall next to the Bjoeks Climbing Center. (Photo:   travpacker.com/CC BY-ND 2.0)
The top of Excalibur. (Photo:   pvtsailor on YouTube)
The view from the top of Excalibur. (Photo:   Auke Boksma on YouTube)
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

For anyone who will take it on, the towering Excalibur climbing wall, named for the sword of King Arthur, offers a unique challenge, not to mention breathtaking views from the top for those who scale its height.

At just over 121 feet (37 m) tall, the Excalibur is considered the tallest freestanding climbing tower in the world. Part of the Klimcentrum Bjoeks in the Dutch town of Groningen, it weighs a hefty 50 tons and is supported by 36 beams and a meter-thick slab of concrete.

Because of the 36-foot curve built into the design, as the tower rises into the clouds it forms an extreme overhang that resembles what climbers might find on a real peak.

The Klimcentrum Bjoeks also offers several indoor climbing walls, one of which tilts at a 45-degree angle. But there’s no doubt that the Excalibur tower's unconventional shape and awesome height is what draws in customers from all over hoping to reach the top and see the vast Dutch landscape stretch for miles in all directions.

Related Tags

Gyms Walls Towers Rocks Netherlands Geology

Know Before You Go

The climbing center's hours of operation and pricing can be found on their website.

Community Contributors

Added By

daviddoochin

Edited By

CoolCrab

  • CoolCrab

Published

July 6, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Excalibur Climbing Wall
Bieskemaar 3
Groningen, 9735 AE
Netherlands
53.240582, 6.601162
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

World's Largest Christmas Bauble

Groningen, Netherlands

miles away

Groningen University Museum

Groningen, Netherlands

miles away

Internationaal Klompenmuseum (International Clog Museum)

Eelde, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Groningen

Groningen

Netherlands

Places 3

Nearby Places

World's Largest Christmas Bauble

Groningen, Netherlands

miles away

Groningen University Museum

Groningen, Netherlands

miles away

Internationaal Klompenmuseum (International Clog Museum)

Eelde, Netherlands

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Groningen

Groningen

Netherlands

Places 3

Related Places

  • Clach na criche.

    Argyll and Bute, Scotland

    Clach Na Criche (The Wishing Stone)

    An ancient stone wall formed by lava that was a frequent stop during funeral marches.

  • Dumbarton Rock.

    Dumbarton, Scotland

    Dumbarton Rock

    This volcanic plug boasts the longest recorded history of any Scottish stronghold.

  • Lava pillows visible in the rock cut.

    Meriden, Connecticut

    Talcott Basalt Lava Pillows

    Hidden behind a Target are pillows of cooled lava that formed at the bottom of a deep lake in the Mesozoic Era.

  • The gate from the front—the stone is to the left.

    Visby, Sweden

    Sankt Göransporten Arrow Slit

    A catapult rock from Gotland’s 13th-century civil war is still lodged in Scandinavia's best-preserved medieval city wall.

  • The circular structure of houses.

    Alaior, Spain

    Torre d'en Galmes

    This remarkable prehistoric town is full of watchtowers and houses that have withstood thousands of years.

  • A misty day at Mousa Broch

    Shetland Islands, Scotland

    Broch of Mousa

    A remarkably well preserved tower dating all the way back to the Iron Age.

  • Stone House - South wall looking towards doorway

    Halifax, Nova Scotia

    Bayers Lake Mystery Walls

    No one knows the origins of the mysterious stone ruins discovered on a hillside in Halifax.

  • Teufelsmauer (The Devil’s Wall).

    Blankenburg (Harz), Germany

    Teufelsmauer (The Devil's Wall)

    A strange rock formation with numerous legends trying to explain it.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.