We climb at Klimcentrum Neoliet Tilburgregularly, but until now, this gym didn’t have its own article on our website. That changes today. This is the gym where it all started for me. If you are into lead climbing, this climbing facility in the Netherlands is absolutely worth a visit.
A bit of history
Klimcentrum Neoliet Tilburg has been part of the Dutch climbing community since 1994. I started climbing here after a kids’ party in 1997 and never stopped. Back then, the gym was located just a few hundred metres away. In 2009, Neoliet moved to its current, much larger space inside a sports complex at Olympiaplein.
What started as youth training once a week quickly became several training sessions, route setting, and being involved in the daily life of the gym. For many local climbers, Neoliet is not just a gym but the place where their passion for climbing began.
Layout of Neoliet Tilburg
Neoliet Tilburg is spread out across multiple levels. Each section has its own climbing style. From the bar area, stairs lead both up and down, depending on the kind of challenge you are looking for.
Downstairs, you’ll find the changing rooms, a spray wall, some training tools, and one of the gym’s tallest climbing walls. This wall is nearly 20 metres high. It is slightly overhanging and has a wavy profile, which makes climbing both visually and physically interesting.
On the middle floor, the walls are about 14 metres high, with a mix of overhanging toprope and lead routes. Many of the more difficult lines are set here. Lately, there have been frequent route updates, especially in the higher grades. If you climb 7A or higher, this area will keep you challenged.
On the top floor, the walls are about ten metres high. This section has a more classic feel, with sharper angles and a look that reminds you of older climbing gyms. That also gives it some character. At Neoliet, you tie in using a carabiner and are required to use an assisted-braking belay device. This is done with safety in mind.
The most striking feature of the gym is the roof. It was already part of the old location, but in the current building it has grown into a massive, overhanging lead wall that dominates the space. This section is only accessible to independent lead climbers with the proper experience or certification.
A climbing session at Neoliet Tilburg
When I climb here, I usually start on the top floor with a few easy routes to warm up. Then the roof catches my attention.
The first route in the roof is a 6B with big holds. It’s ideal for getting used to the overhang. After that, I go for a 7C. The holds are smaller and the moves more intense, but luckily there are a few good jugs to recover on along the way. At the top, there’s a tough crux with a big move to a rounded sloper. I barely make it and clip the anchor. Another route logged in Toplogger.
Back on the middle floor, I climb a 7A+ and a 7B. I try an 8A, but it completely shuts me down. That’s just part of the process. To finish, I choose a route on the long, wavy wall downstairs. This section is slightly overhanging and really puts your technique to the test. You never quite know what the next move will feel like until you’re in it and that’s what makes it so enjoyable.
You can tell that Klimcentrum Neoliet Tilburg has been around for a while. Many new holds have been added over the years, but some of the old ones are still in use. That gives the gym a unique feel. After climbing, we sit down for a cup of tea in the bar area. Because of the gym’s layout, you don’t get much of a view of the climbing walls from there. Not ideal for watching others climb, but a nice place to relax.
Final thoughts
If you enjoy lead climbing and want to spend an afternoon or evening really climbing, Klimcentrum Neoliet Tilburg is absolutely worth visiting. The variation in wall height and style offers something for everyone. And if you are certified to lead climb, the roof is a must. Long and steep routes like these are rare in Dutch climbing gyms.
There is no bouldering area besides the spray wall, but for route climbers, especially those climbing in the 6A to 8A range, it’s an ideal place to train. Thanks to its long history and unique roof, Neoliet Tilburg remains a key part of the indoor climbing scene in the Netherlands.
