The Climbing Garden: Bangladesh’s first indoor bouldering gym aims to redefine urban recreation

In climbing, novelty is essential. About 20% of the gym’s routes are reset every week. Over a five-week cycle, the entire wall transforms. Photo: Courtesy

At first, it looks like hesitation.

A young woman stands halfway up a wall, fingers pressed into a bright orange hold, her right foot searching for something — anything — on a surface that suddenly feels less like plastic and more like a question. Below her, a small crowd has gathered. Not a crowd, exactly — five or six people lounging on thick crash mats, craning their necks and offering advice that may or may not help.

"Left foot! There — no, higher!"

She laughs, shakes her head, and then, after a brief pause that feels longer than it is, commits. A quick shift of weight, a push, a reach — and suddenly she's there, gripping the final hold. The room breaks into applause. Not polite applause, but the kind that feels earned, shared, almost collective.

This is a regular evening at The Climbing Garden, Bangladesh's first indoor bouldering gym. And if you stay long enough, you begin to notice that what's happening here is more than just exercise. 

A sport Dhaka didn't know it needed

The story of The Climbing Garden does not begin with a grand epiphany. There was no single moment when someone declared, "Dhaka needs a climbing gym." Instead, the idea emerged gradually, almost casually, from a simple observation: The city did not have enough spaces where people could have fun and stay active at the same time.

Back in 2022, as conversations around sports and recreation unfolded, one thing became clear — young people in Dhaka had options, but not many that combined community, creativity, and challenge. 

"Gyms could feel repetitive. Team sports required coordination and space. What was missing was something flexible, social, and just unfamiliar enough to be exciting," said Andrew Sohel Willard, owner of The Climbing Garden.

"Then came a building on Gupipara Road. Neither particularly famous, nor architecturally iconic, but full of potential. By 2023, the idea had begun to take shape. Plans were drawn up. Equipment was sourced. And by May 2024, The Climbing Garden opened its doors," he continued.

Indoor climbing, or bouldering, is deceptively simple. No ropes, no towering heights — just walls, holds, and a series of routes that climbers must navigate using strength, balance, and problem-solving. But step inside, and you quickly realise: This is not just a sport; it is an experience.

Importing more than just equipment

Building a climbing gym in Dhaka is not like opening a café or a clothing store. You cannot simply source everything locally and set up a shop.

In fact, you cannot source much locally at all.

Even today, basic climbing gear is not readily available in Bangladesh. Everything — from the colourful holds that dot the walls to the shoes that grip them, from ropes and harnesses to carabiners and crash mats — had to be imported. And not just imported, but carefully selected. Because when it comes to climbing, safety is not a feature; it is the foundation.

"We wanted the best quality gear," the team explained. "People need to trust the equipment before they can trust themselves."

But equipment was only half the challenge.

Route setting — the process of designing climbing paths — was an entirely different puzzle. Before The Climbing Garden, very few people in Dhaka had experienced indoor climbing, let alone learned how to create routes. It is a skill that combines physical understanding with creativity, requiring setters to anticipate how a climber will move, hesitate, and adapt.

So the team learned the only way possible: by doing. Climbing, experimenting, adjusting. Over time, the walls began to take on a life of their own.

A wall that never stays the same

If you return to The Climbing Garden after a few weeks, you might find your favourite route gone.

Not broken — just replaced.

That is intentional.

About 20% of the gym's routes are reset every week. Over a five-week cycle, the entire wall transforms. New holds appear, old ones vanish, and familiar climbs become entirely different challenges.

In climbing, novelty is essential. A route is a problem, and once it is solved, it loses its edge. By constantly resetting the walls, the gym ensures that climbers — whether beginners or seasoned regulars — always have something new to figure out.

At any given time, there are more than 100 routes, each designed with a specific level of difficulty in mind. For beginners, the holds are larger and more forgiving, offering a sense of security as they learn the basics. For advanced climbers, the routes can feel almost cruel — demanding precision, strength, and a willingness to fail repeatedly before succeeding.

Because that is the thing about climbing: falling is part of the process.

The people who show up

Spend an hour at the gym, and you will notice something unusual about the crowd.

It does not fit a single mould.

There are children, barely tall enough to reach the first hold, scrambling upward with fearless determination. There are university students, treating the gym as both a workout and a hangout. There are professionals, unwinding after long workdays. There are expats, seasoned climbers, and complete beginners—all sharing the same space.

The age range is wide, from three to over 60, but the core group tends to fall between 18 and 35. Still, the diversity is striking. And perhaps even more striking is the atmosphere.

It is also one of the few sports where strength alone does not guarantee success. Technique, balance, and creativity often matter more. A smaller climber with good footwork can outperform a stronger one who relies solely on power.

It is friendly. Inclusive. And surprisingly warm.

"We've been surprised by how many people genuinely thank us," the team said. "Just for giving them the opportunity to try climbing."

In a city where public spaces can often feel crowded and impersonal, that kind of gratitude stands out.

Climbing is often described as an individual sport. And in many ways, it is. When you are on the wall, it is just you, your body, and the next hold.

But step back, and you begin to see the social layer.

Most people come in groups — friends, classmates, colleagues. They cheer each other on, share tips, and celebrate small victories. There is a rhythm to it: climb, rest, talk, laugh, repeat.

Even those who arrive alone rarely stay that way for long. Conversations start easily — about a tricky move, a failed attempt, a shared struggle. Over time, familiarity grows.

Some climbers prefer solitude. They come in, focus, push themselves, and leave. Others oscillate — training solo one day, returning with friends the next.

Either way, the space accommodates both.

More than just a workout

Ask regular climbers why they keep coming back, and the answers tend to blur together: fitness, fun, stress relief.

But there is something deeper at play.

Climbing engages the entire body — not just muscles, but mind and emotion. Each route is a puzzle. Each move requires thought. You are constantly assessing, adjusting, deciding.

It is also one of the few sports where strength alone does not guarantee success. Technique, balance, and creativity often matter more. A smaller climber with good footwork can outperform a stronger one who relies solely on power.

And then there is the mental aspect.

Climbing forces you into the present. When you are halfway up a wall, there is no room for distraction. You are focused on your next move, your breathing, the way your body feels. It is a kind of mindfulness — just with more chalk.

It also teaches you how to handle fear. Not to eliminate it, but to manage it. To take risks in a controlled environment. To trust yourself, even when you are unsure.

And when you finally complete a route — after multiple failed attempts — the reward is immediate and undeniable.

Running a different kind of business

Operating a climbing gym in Dhaka comes with its own set of challenges.

It is a niche concept. It requires specialised equipment, constant maintenance, and a steady flow of new routes. Add to that the broader economic uncertainties, and the picture becomes even more complex.

But if there is one factor that keeps things running smoothly, it is the team.

From coaching and customer service to route setting and safety management, the staff play a central role. They are not just employees; they are facilitators of an experience. They guide beginners, maintain equipment, design routes, and help build the community that defines the space.

And they seem to enjoy it.

Safety, above all

In climbing, trust is everything.

The Climbing Garden operates with a detailed safety management system. Critical gear — ropes, harnesses, carabiners, belay devices, crash mats — is sourced from top-quality brands, inspected daily, and replaced regularly.

Other equipment, like holds and shoes, is also cleaned and checked frequently.

The goal is simple: create an environment where people feel safe enough to push their limits.

Because without that sense of security, the entire experience falls apart.

Breaking the 'expensive' myth

One of the common misconceptions about climbing is that it's prohibitively expensive.

The reality is more nuanced.

While the sport does involve specialised equipment, The Climbing Garden has made efforts to keep it accessible. Different pricing options, including passes for locals, youth, and first-time climbers, lower the barrier to entry.

And once people try it, many realise that the value goes beyond the activity itself. It's about the experience — the challenge, the community, the sense of progress.

"The one-month Membership Pass offers unlimited climbing during business hours, with free access to designated classes and included shoe rental, priced at Tk5,000 for adults and Tk4,000 for youth," said Megh, program manager and an instructor at The Climbing Garden.

"There is also a one-day entry pass, which provides access to climbing during business hours on the day of purchase (equipment rental not included), priced at Tk600 for adults and Tk500 for youth," he added.

In five years, Andrew said, the goal is to see a thriving climbing community — diverse, active, and connected. Competitive teams. A national federation aligned with Olympic sport climbing. More gyms, not just in Dhaka but in other cities. It's an ambitious roadmap, but not an unrealistic one.

Back on the wall, the young woman who hesitated earlier is now sitting on the mat, catching her breath. Her friends are teasing her, replaying the moment she almost gave up.

"See?" one of them says. "You had it."

She smiles, a little tired, a little triumphant.

Around her, others are climbing, falling, trying again. The room hums with quiet energy — focused, supportive, alive.

In a city that rarely slows down, The Climbing Garden offers something rare: a space to pause, to try, to fail, and to try again.

And sometimes, that's exactly what Dhaka needs.