Rock climbing in Cambodia
Since 2019, I’ve covered the Cambodian climbing scene, from indoor gyms and outdoor crags to comps and national athletes. Climbing is much less developed in Cambodia than in neighboring countries but it is also much more community-oriented than competitive. Get in touch for licensing images or assignments.
Climbing competitions
Phnom Climb Community Gym, Cambodia’s first commercial gym, holds the Sva Prey bouldering competition every year.
The Angkor Climbers Net (ACN), a non-profit set up by a late Japanese couple in Siem Reap, used to operate a climbing wall for Siem Reap’s young climbers. Every year, together with the Cambodian Climbing Federation (CCF), ACN holds the Angkor Cup climbing competition.
Phnom Climb Community Gym
Set up in 2016, Phnom Climb was run by a friendly bunch of climbers, many of whom grew up honing their skills on ACN’s wall in Siem Reap, before the gym finally closed in 2026. Shooting for Phnom Climb Community Gym.
Outdoor climbing
Though Cambodia has plenty of suitable rock, including massive karst outcrops, only a few crags are developed, rarely featuring more than two dozen routes. The potential for outdoor climbing development in the country is immense.
