Kletterpark Bielefeld: half forest, half poles

Over 90 stations on ten high courses, one half between trees, the other on a pole structure. Plus four practice courses, an annual pass for two parks – and prices we had to add.

The photo Interakteam GmbH sent us shows Kletterpark Bielefeld from the entrance – and you see at once what sets it apart from a classic forest ropes park: the poles.

Two parks in one

One part runs through the deciduous forest on the Johannisberg from tree to tree. The other stands on a pole structure, and that is more than a construction detail. Poles stand where you put them; trees do not. Between poles you can build elements that would be impossible between grown trunks – here that means balancing across giant tractor tyres, a ride on a surfboard and an abseil from eight metres.

Four practice courses is a lot

Over 90 stations are spread across ten high courses and four practice courses. Four dedicated practice rounds are rare – they mean you learn to handle the carabiner thoroughly near the ground before going up. For families with a first-time climber, that is the real advantage.

The prices – and a correction to ourselves

Until this week our entry said the prices were not published online in a form we could take over. That was wrong: they are clearly on the operator's site, and we simply had not found them. Now they are in. Every ticket is 2 € cheaper online than at the park: 32 € for adults, 28 € for teenagers, 26 € for children up to eleven, 18 € for the two-hour Bambini course from age three.

Regulars have two options: the annual pass, also valid at the same operator's Kletterpark Detmold, or the climbing pass, which makes every eighth visit free.

Open from early April to early November: Fridays from 1 pm, weekends from 10 am, on public holidays and during the NRW school holidays all week – always with an online booking beforehand.