Time Analytics

Seasonal climbing is real. Spring dominates with April hitting peak activity. March through May accounts for over 36% of annual ascents, with April alone representing more than 13%. This confirms that spring offers the best conditions for bouldering in Fontainebleau.

Autumn shows a second favorable window with September and October combining for nearly 20% of ascents, as temperatures cool down from summer heat.

The November-December drop is dramatic, falling to the lowest activity of the year.
Cold temperatures play a role, but the main culprit is bad weather—rain and grey skies make these months particularly uninviting for outdoor climbing.

Summer (June-August) shows moderate but consistent activity, likely limited by heat on the rocks during peak afternoon hours.

Climbing activity in Fontainebleau has grown exponentially over the past three decades. Starting with a few hundred logged ascents in the mid-90s, the forest saw steady growth through the 2000s. Activity accelerated significantly from 2015 onward, with 2019 marking a major surge, nearly 40% increase in a single year reflecting both growing popularity and increased platform adoption.

2021-2023 saw explosive growth, peaking at over 62,000 logged ascents in 2023. This reflects the post-COVID boom in outdoor climbing and the forest's growing international reputation.

2020 shows a noticeable dip due to COVID-19 lockdowns in France during the spring climbing season.

2024 drops significantly, most likely explained by exceptionally bad weather during the winter season—poor conditions kept climbers away during what are normally high-activity months.

2025 data is incomplete, so final numbers will be higher once the year closes out.

The forest's popularity is clearly growing fast. We ask everyone to be respectful and help keep Fontainebleau in the best possible shape for future generations.