LOS COTOS

he slabs of smooth and subtly-featured limestone that make up Los Cotos add a welcome alternative to the steep and strenuous climbs on the neighbouring cliffs that surround it. The setting in the secluded central gorge area is magnificent making it a lovely place to enjoy some fine climbing with the sun on your back, but best avoided in warm weather. Los Cotos was one of the first places to be developed for sport climbing at El Chorro and the style and grades are considered by many to be a little 'old school'. A few of the lines have been upgraded to bring them in line with the routes elsewhere and some gear has been replaced, but there are still a number of routes which require a small rack to supplement the sparse fixed gear. For those who want to get the most out of the place, taking a few wires is a good idea. Cotos Medios is the most frequented section whilst Cotos Altos has the best lines and rock. Cotos Bajas is set down next to the river and is a lovely spot but the routes are not as good and much of the gear is in need of an update. In warm conditions the polish on the popular lines makes itself well felt although it has got no worse over the last decade or so.

Routes

1 trad route (E4) 65 sport routes (3+...7b+) Graded List of Routes List of First Ascents