Rock climbing gyms in Toronto are a perfect place for people who want to experience the thrill of scaling a mountain, without the actual mountain. Whether you're going with a big group or braving a solo climb, get snug in your safety harnesses and get climbing. 

Here are my picks for the top rock climbing gyms in Toronto.

Basecamp Climbing

This seedy theatre-turned climbing gym in Koreatown boasts some of the highest climbs in the city. A selection of walls from flat to overhang make it an accessible gym for climbers of all levels.

The Rock Oasis

Though not nearly as tall as their original location on Bathurst, this location in Leslieville is still massive. Featuring 25,000 square feet of climbing area, it also has lots of bouldering space, auto belay stations, and courses for beginners.

Up The Bloc

This Mississauga facility specializes in bouldering, which is basically climbing with no strings attached. They offer a variety of packages ranging from day-use to full-on memberships for your entire family. 

Boulderz Climbing Centre

Prepare for sore arms after a visit to this gym in either the Junction Triangle or Etobicoke. Specializing in bouldering, which is done on smaller rock formations without harnesses, this little gym will have your grip game on another level.

Joe Rockhead's Indoor Rock Climbing

This Liberty Village gym has the honour of calling itself the very first rock climbing gym in Canada. Open since 1990, Joe Rockhead's is still one of the best places in the city for climbing aficionados of all levels.

Toronto Climbing Academy

In an attempt to make everything as realistic as possible, this gym in East York is designed with an abundance of gear and textured walls to best replicate real-life climbing. They're the only gym to have specially designed simulated outdoor rock features and they've also got a sky window, meaning lots of natural light.

True North Climbing

As part of the sports centre at Downsview Park, True North has enough facilities to spend an entire day. Not only do they have free WiFi and post-climb lounging couches, this North York gym also has the world's largest climbable stalactite wall that drops down from the ceiling.

Hub Climbing

With locations in Markham and Mississauga, Hub is primarily a bouldering gym but also features yoga classes and an in-house workout gym for climbers looking to elevate their climb game. They've generously added a foam pit to the bottom of their signature dragon-shaped wall, for those who will inevitably fail.

Cave Rock Climbing

This is Mississauga's first boulder-only rock climbing gym. Classes here aren't mandatory before you start climbing, but they do offer them if you prefer to get a bit of help before you hit the wall for the first time.