Boulderblok Universum: Climbing & Bouldering in Watergraafsmeer, Amsterdam
7 reviews
Boulderblok Universum is a free-standing outdoor climbing block on the Amsterdam Science Park, next to the USC Universum sports centre in Oost. Anyone may use it, at their own risk, with no booking and no staff. It suits a quick session on real holds in the open air, for beginners and stronger climbers alike.
Contact
- Address Science Park 306, 1098 XH
Opening hours
- Mon 00:00-24:00
- Tue 00:00-24:00
- Wed 00:00-24:00
- Thu 00:00-24:00
- Fri 00:00-24:00
- Sat 00:00-24:00
- Sun 00:00-24:00
Good to know
- Outdoor bouldering
- Routes for all levels
- About 85 m² of climbing surface
- Own risk
- No booking
What is there
The block looks like a small kiosk with a roof, its panels running in steep diagonals and painted in bright colours. Its climbing surface of about 85 square metres is horizontal, vertical and above all diagonal, with routes set for both beginners and experienced climbers. The holds are bolted to synthetic panels and can be moved, so routes can be changed.
It stands in the open air, as an addition to the climbing wall inside the sports centre.
How it works
There is nothing to book and nobody to pay. I amsterdam says the block is open to everyone at their own risk, and map data lists it as free and open around the clock. The block is outdoors, so the weather decides. Nobody on site sells or rents equipment for it as far as we could find.
The USC sports centre itself is a paid facility. Its indoor wall is 14 metres high and needs a separate climbing pass, which also covers indoor bouldering.
History
The University of Amsterdam's sports centre had a big hand in the design, and the project got going in 2012 with the help of donations. After several rejected designs, the block was opened on 9 May 2015. The Science Park campus around it was built up from 1996 on what had long been farmland.
Getting there
The block stands by USC Universum, Science Park 306, in Amsterdam-Oost. The bus stops Science Park Aer, Aqua and Terra are all within a few hundred metres.
Common questions
- Is Boulderblok Universum free?
- Yes, as far as we can verify. I amsterdam says anyone may use it at their own risk, and map data lists it with no fee. We found no booking system for it.
- Who can use the outdoor boulder block at Science Park?
- Anyone can, not only USC members or students. You climb at your own risk. Nobody supervises the block.
- Do I need my own climbing shoes?
- We found no rental or equipment point for the block, so bring what you want to use. The holds are on routes for both beginners and experienced climbers.
- Is this the same as climbing at USC Universum?
- No. The block is outdoors and open to all. The 14-metre indoor wall and indoor bouldering at USC need a paid climbing pass.
More climbing & bouldering nearby
- USC Universum Watergraafsmeer
- Boulderwand Meerpark Watergraafsmeer
- Monk Bouldergym Amsterdam Oud-Noord
- Klimmuur Centraal The Eastern Islands
- Boulder Amsterdam Westerpark
- Beta Boulders Oud-Zuid
Opening hours change: check with the venue before you go. Ratings from MapAtlas.