From May 30th to June 2nd, 2024, the largest event in the German-speaking climbing scene will take place again in the village of Königstein in the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park: The mountain sports outfitter Petzl invites you to the Frankenjura climbing festival and expects thousands of visitors from home and abroad.
Königstein in the Upper Palatinate. 1719 inhabitants, spread across 19 parts of the community, hamlets and wastelands. The local outdoor pool belongs to the locals, who can swim their laps in peace - only disturbed by a few young people who occasionally jump from the edge of the pool. There is usually enough space on the huge green lawn.
Normally. Because every two years on Corpus Christi weekend the picture changes. Hundreds, if not thousands, of climbers from all over the Republic and beyond flock to the local natural pool and double up for these legendary four days Franconian Jura climbing festival the population of Königstein – welcomed with arms wide open by the local population:
Frankenjura climbing festival for the fifth time
Residents around the natural pool mow their meadows and make them available to climbers to spend the night. The construction yard employees pitch in to erect a bad weather tent. The mayor personally informs the residents that it will be a little more crowded this time.
This warm welcome makes it easy for visitors from all over Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Poland and the Czech Republic to feel welcome in Königstein. They are attracted by the incomparably good climbing in Franconian Switzerland as well as the festival program that Petzl puts on.
Lectures with stars from the climbing scene
The highlights of this year's program are once again the evening lectures, in which, among others, Germany's most famous climber Alex Huber tells about his career. Nasim Eshqi, Iran's only professional female climber, talks about how she found climbing in the country she ultimately had to leave and always stood up for women's rights.
Nico Favresse, climbing star from Belgium, tells the story of the first free ascent of the route Riders on the storm in Patagonia. First climbed by the Franconian legends Kurt Albert and Wolfgang Güllich, among others.
Workshops & big party
There are also workshops for all skill levels, from beginner courses to training in the mental and physical aspects of competitive climbing. The musical highlight this year is the German-Dutch band The Magic Mumble Jumble, who will create the right festival atmosphere on Saturday evening with their rousing, danceable sound.
As in 2022, the topic of sustainability plays an important role. Organizer Petzl finances the possibility of making travel to the festival site and trips to the climbing areas environmentally friendly. A free shuttle bus runs from Neuhaus an der Pegnitz train station to the festival site. And during the four days of the festival, buses take climbers to the climbing areas and back.
Unique flair at the Frankenjura climbing festival
“We are really looking forward to the special flair of the climbing festival,” says Nils Beste, organizer of the festival at Petzl Germany and an enthusiastic climber himself. “Königstein, the natural pool and the many nearby rocks offer the perfect setting for a festival of this size,” says Beste from experience.
In addition to the entertainment program, there are numerous exhibitor stands from leading outdoor brands such as Petzl, Patagonia, Bergzeit, Scarpa, LaSportiva, Deuter, Tenaya, Rafiki, and Vibram, which will present their latest products, offer repair services and provide rental equipment.
No advance registration is necessary to visit the climbing festival and spend the night on the site. Those interested should only register early for the coveted workshop places.
That might interest you
- Alex Megos and Yannick Flohé are planning a potential 9c route in the Franconian Jura
- Moritz Welt repeats Frankenjura classic Corona (9a +)
- Adam Ondra devalues Frankenjura routes
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Credits: Cover photo Simon Toplak