“Molise does not exist”, a motto which started circulating on internet some time ago, and has brought a bit of visibility to this little region, cut off from the main communication arteries, and thanks to this isolation has yet to be discovered. Its greatest charm lies in this isolation, which has allowed it to maintain man’s traditional work and artisanal activities in close contact with a territory consisting of two thirds hills and mountains.

These are the secret components which have attracted the first Roman climbers here ever since the 80’s, the beauty and the magnificence of the limestone boulders of the crag of Morgia Quadra at Frosolone: this remains the most popular, renowned and appreciated crag of the region and of central-southern Italy. Near this point of reference over the years, many other climbing sites have developed all over the region.

This is not a guide book describing all crags in the region, but rather a selection of these. A selection dictated by the beauty of these sites, by their historical, environmental value, and their bond with the surrounding territory, their accessibility; as well as the wish of the bolters (if the crag was mainly bolted by one person) to make their work public.

Pietro Radassao from Campobasso, born in 1995, has been sports climbing intensely, and in spite of his young age, he is already  considered a point of reference for all of Molise and Southern Italy. In a few years of vertical activity he has increased the climbing level in Molise from 7c to the most probable ninth grade, achieving a remarkable number of first ascents. He is also the first southern climber to have freed routes from 8b+ upwards. For years he has been dedicating his time actively to the crags near his home (more than 100 bolted routes). With his father since 2020 he has been managing an indoor climbing gym near Campobasso (Via Fonte Nuova, Oratino).

Riccardo Quaranta from Campobasso, born in 1979, Mountain Guide and biologist. He started exploring his local mountains at the age of 18 (Matese and Mainarde mountains) to then approach the world of climbing and mountaineering, gaining numerous titles as climbing instructor. Successively he began the procedures to achieve his dream of becoming a Mountain Guide, a dream come true in September 2017. Currently he is the only Mountain Guide from Molise. Hundreds of routes on rock, mixed and ice climbing opened across central-southern Italy, with special attention to his land of origin. Together with Asd Orizzonti Verticali of Campobasso he continues his work of enhancing the beauties of his territory and teaching the art of going into the mountains.