Review: Climbing wall Ruzyně

The Ruzyně climbing wall is one of the more intimate and communal walls in Prague. Ruzyně Wall is located in Prague 6, separated from most of the city and the rocks. Is Ruzyně worth it and is it worth coming here regularly? As you already know, we will go through 8 criteria and find out if it is a place to go or if it is better to stay away.

1. Boulder

Stěna Ruzyně is not a bouldering specialist. It is not so much a boulder as a small training room with paths. The boulder here can best be compared to a former wall Mammoth HolešoviceF. Unlike places like BigWall, where a small area is compensated by really precise boulders, there is no such compensation here. A total of 100 square meters and 40 boulders thus form a place to warm up rather than a designed boulder sector.

The boulder itself is divided into two places - old and new. The old boulder is a small shabby room in which it is spray wall and campus. The new boulder is a bright and newer room with paths from V1 until a little over V6. The paths are marked with tapes with corresponding values on the wall.

What must be left to Ruzyna is the purity of lines and catches. They are not sticky and greasy, as is the case in places like, for example OFF in Prague 5. Along with that, the landing pad is soft and well secured. In general, however, the place is more for warming up than for bouldering.

2. Rope

The rope section on Ruzyna is what the hall is proud of. The height is 15 meters, 1300 square meters in area with a total of 200 routes on 71 safety lines. The climbing itself is divided into two halls here, the old and the new. The halls themselves are two different and almost opposite worlds.

The old hall is dominantly overhanging and 12 meters high. The routes are old-school, short and unfortunately often make up for the grade with weird climbing creations and movements that are almost unnatural. The new hall is a "noodle" with vertical walls and a smaller overhang. It is 15.5 meters and is almost the opposite of the old hall. Here the paths are longer, more natural and very fun. There are new expressways, 2 self-retractors that are able to secure the entire wall itself, as they are on sliding grooves and a very good – albeit technically demanding – joint.

There are two worlds even within the space around the walls. The old hall is at the back of the indoor sports hall. This of course means that there is little space and the climbers share the space with other sports clubs. But the places are separated from each other by a thick tarp. Unfortunately, there is not enough space, so when a climber is lowered from the top, it often happens that the climbers sitting and resting on the bench have to run away, because that is where the climber will be lowered. The new rope section does not suffer from this problem. However, it is more cold here, which becomes a positive in the warmer months, as this section can be turned into an outdoor wall by opening the door.

3. Personnel

Unlike walls as is BW, OFF or Sambar Kladno, where there are relatively many staff, whether at the bar or instructors, this is not the case here. Most of the time, you will only find a member at the reception desk by the wall. But the staff is nice, accommodating and very happy to help! It is definitely one of the better "customer service" walls in Prague!

4. Prices

The price list at Ruzyna is similar to that at OFF, which if you already know us, you know we don't like it. Prices vary depending on when climbers arrive here. Unlike Bonk places but it is understandable in Ruzyna. The premises are not large, so the incentive to come here at less busy times is great. Most of us would thus pay between 170-200 CZK for climbing, depending on whether you are a student or not. The entrance fee for CZK 120-150 between 20:00 and 23:00, when the crowds are the least and the prices are the best, is especially advantageous, which technically makes Ruzyně the cheapest wall in Prague.

All things considered, the price is acceptable. But you have to go to the lower, new hall. The old one is not something that we at VARP want to pay CZK 170 for (we are students). But it is good to know that it is there as a "backup". 

5. Cleanliness

Although it doesn't seem like it at first glance, Ruzyně is a very clean wall. The grips are not worn and greasy, there is no spilled magnesium and scattered ropes from courses. The old part of the hall, however, looks shabby and shabby. However, it is not dirty or slippery. Roads are regularly changed and holds are washed.

6. Background

Unfortunately, probably the biggest disadvantage of the Ruzyňská wall is precisely its background. A few basic things that belong to good walls are missing here. There is no proper campus or hangboard for climbers to warm up on. There is no place for warm-ups or climbing exercises where there is a trapeze, ladders or rings. Yes, the old boulder tries to compensate for it, but unfortunately not enough.

The changing rooms here are a bit strange. To enter the wall, you first have to go through the changing rooms to the reception, where you pay the entrance fee, claim the key and go back to change. But aside from that, the changing rooms are quite pleasant. Clean, adequate size with shower and sink. Unfortunately, there is no toilet here, which is outside in the corridor for the entire sports complex.

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention the gym that's available. Right next to the reception, there is a small but well-equipped gym for some lifting, warming up and circuit training.

7. Availability for children

Ruzyně Wall is not as accessible to the little ones as it might seem. This is due to the different availability of activities between summer and winter. In winter, there is no climbing for children, as was the case at Boulderbar. They are forced to climb the same routes as adults, just at their skill level. In the summer, however, there is an outdoor trampoline and an in-ground pool for them, so they have more than enough space to run wild. Of course, if they want to climb, the 100% will find their way here.

8. Availability of public transport

The connection to Ruzyň is not good at all, certainly not when compared to the other walls of Prague. Two buses go here, numbers 168 and 225 - Staré náměstí stop. Alternatively, you can get here by train to Praha-Ruzyně station (Vlasy S5, S54, R45) or by car. However, there is not a lot of parking here and we definitely recommend using the rear access to the area, along the road that is right behind (or in front of) the track.

Ruzyne review - final verdict

Rating category	Point evaluation, total 100b.
Boulder	10/20 b.
Rope	17/20
Personnel	9/10
Prices	9/10
Purity	9/10
Background	5/10
Availability for children	5/10
Availability of public transport	6/10
Total points	70/100 points – We recommend (especially the new wall)

We have to do the Ruzyňa wall RECOMMEND, but only if you like to climb a rope. For sports climbers, it is an excellent place where you can definitely climb well. Unfortunately, it is no longer a place where you can improve yourself through exercise or targeted, non-climbing efforts. Here you can only climb the rope.

Even if the points introduce and point to above average, it must be said that the boulder and background are dominantly to blame. Unfortunately, both categories deduct points differently really great wall.
Ruzyň is therefore an ideal place for a weekend climber who does not boulder, does not need trapezes and does not worry too much about how much he actually climbs. Personally we have to recommend at least a visit here. We will definitely look here again!

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