Via Ferrata routes |
Mines du Clôt, La Grave
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: D High Point: 2,210m Altitude gained on via: 600m Walk in: 80m (5 mins) Via: 3H30 to 4H Walk out: 2 hours Total time: 5H to 6H
Description : This is a long via with around 2km of cable to follow. The route offers great views of La Meije and the Ecrins. Quite a hard route with some strenuous sections.
Access: From Briançon take the main road towards Grenoble. After the Col du Lauteret you will pass through La Grave and then the village of Fréaux. 1km after the village of Fréaux look for a parking place on the right. You will find a sign with directions to the start of the via.
Arsine, Villar d'Arène
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: PD High Point: 1,850m Altitude gained on via: 200m Walk in: 20 mins Via: 1H30 to 2H Walk out: 30 mins Total time: 2H
Description : The first 20m of this via is quite athletic. Following this you will arrive on a rising traverse line which is very exposed. The route then joins a large vegetated ledge before continuing with the easier 2nd half.
Access: From Briançon take the route main road towards Grenoble. 300m before the village of Villar d'Arène take the sharp left junction towards the village of le Pied du Col-Arsine. You will shortly find a parking area with a sign with directions to the start of the via.
L'Aiguillette du Lauzet, l'Alpe du Lauzet (5-6 kms after Monêtier les Bains)
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: PD High Point: 2,600m Altitude gained on via: 500m Walk in: 1 hour Via: 3H to 3H30 Walk out: 1H30 Total time: 5H to 6H
Description : A fantastic high level route with a proper and elegant summit. Often a good place to see lots of wildlife, marmottes, chamois, ibex and golden eagles.
Access: From Briançon take the route main road towards Grenoble. About 5-6 kms after Monêtier you will arrive in the tiny hamlet of Pont de l'Alpe. Park here on the right just after the bridge. Take the steep and winding path here that climbs to the mountain chalets of l'Alpe du Lauzet. Bear right just after the village and pick up the via signs.
Via Ferrata des Neyzets, from Monêtier les Bains
Cost for access: Free (Access via télésiège from Monêtier around 6€ per person return) Difficulty: F High Point: 2,662m Altitude gained on via: 400m Walk in: 40 mins from cable car exit Via: 2H30 to 3H Walk out: 1H30 Total time: 4H to 5H30
Description : A easy route but fairly long with about 1km of cable. The route follows the ridge line of the mountain with great views of surrounding peaks and the Serre Chevalier valley.
Access: From Briançon take the route main road towards Grenoble. Park at Monêtier les Bains and take the télésiège du Bachas. On reaching the top of the télésiège go in the direction for the Arête du Rocher de l'Yret just a couple of hundred metres away. The descent is long and takes you round the back of the peak to return to the télésiège.
Les Bez, Villeneuve la Salle
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: F High Point: 1,620m Altitude gained on via: 75m Walk in: 30 mins Via: 1H Walk out: 20 mins Total time: 2H
Description : An easy route accessible for children. The route is pretty and in two sections, one going up and one going down. The route is easily escapable after the first section if required.
Access: From Briançon take the route main road towards Grenoble. At Villeneuve la Salle follow signs to le Rocher d'escalade du Bez and park at the parking for the rocks. Take the foot path to the climbing site and follow the signs to the via.
Note: If you continue descending on the Botanique walk you will find another very small via specifically built to introduce children to this activity. The via is directly behind the Club Med buildings in Villeneuve.This via gains just 60m of height in total and has nice short cable bridge on it too. Be careful with children on the descent path as it has a couple of steep sections.
Le Rocher Blanc, Chantemerle
Cost for access: Free (Access via téléphérique from Chantemele around 9€ per person return) Difficulty: D and PD High Point: 2,475m Altitude gained on via: 105m Walk in: 20 mins Via: 40 mins to 1H Walk out: 35 mins Total time: 2H
Description : There are two routes here of quite a high standard of difficulty. The left hand route is the hardest. It is steep and is on wonderfully sculptured and solid limestone. The right hand route is a little easier and is on pink walls of rock which should be treated carefully.
Access: From Briançon take the route main road towards Grenoble. Park at Chantemerle a take the téléphérique to an altitude of 2,480m. From the top of the cable car take the ridge in an easterly direction descending to the Rocher Blanc.
La Croix de Toulouse, Briançon
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: PD High Point: 1,970m Altitude gained on via: 370m Walk in: 30 mins Via: 2H30 to 3H Walk out: 35 mins Total time: 4H
Description : An often very sunny route looking out on the town of Briançon and its historic fortifications. No real difficulties will be found, but care should be taken with the rock in places.
Access: Park at the Champ du Mars car park above the old town in Briançon (or further on if possible). Take the track "Chemin des Salettes". You will find a small parking area and a sign indicating the via. The descent is via the GR5 on a forest track.
Le Sentier de la Combe, Puy Saint Vincent
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: F High Point: 1,580m Altitude gained on via: 180m Walk in: 5 mins Via: 2H Walk out: 30 mins Total time: 2H30
Description : Fun for all the family. This route is a bit like an adventure park in layout. It follows the route of a series of small waterfalls made by the descent of the river through the Narreyroux valley. This via has many small monkey bridges and ladders.
Access: In the Vallouise valley follows signs for Puy Saint Vincent 1600. In Puy Saint Vincent village turn left at a junction signposted to Puy Saint Vincent 1600, just next to the Hôtel l'Aiglière. After about 250m you will see a small parking area on the right. Park here and follow the signs to the via.
This via is just 5 minutes drive from the Marmotte apartment at Puy Saint Vincent 1600.
Tournoux, Puy Saint Vincent
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: PD High Point: 2,030m Altitude gained on via: 200m Walk in: 25 mins Via: 2H Walk out: 35 mins Total time: 3H
Description: A straightforward route of moderate difficulty. Fairly steep with great panoramic views of the Vallouise valley and nearby summits. Faces north so can be cool.
Access: In the Vallouise valley follows signs for Puy Saint Vincent 1400. As you enter Les Alberts village take the signpost to Puy Saint Vincent 1400 and continue towards Les Près. This road becomes a forest track. Continue to the Col de la Pousterle (this track is a little rough in places so take it steady). Park at the Col de la Pousterle and follow the forest track to the west below the main cliff to find signs for the via.
This via is just 20 minutes walk from the Marmotte apartment at Puy Saint Vincent 1600.
Le Colombier and La Balme, Les Vigneaux
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: PD and D High Point: 1,630m Altitude gained on via: 320m and 380m Walk in: 20 mins Via: 2H to 2H30 Walk out: 35 mins Total time: 3H to 4H
Description: Two routes with the same starting section which then split halfway up the wall. The steep wall that is climbed means that you quickly gain altitude to get great views of pretty village of Les Vigneaux and the valley. This is why this is one of the most frequented via's in France.
Access: Just off of the traverse road between Les Vigneaux and Prelles heading towards Briançon. At the entrance of Les Vigneaux village look for the via ferrata sign, park and then follow the signposted path to the start of the via.
This via is just 5 minutes walk from the Bouquetin and the Chamois apartments.
Les Gorges de la Durance, La Bâtie des Vigneaux
Cost for access: 5€ (in peak season otherwise free) Difficulty: TD High Point: 1,150m Altitude gained on via: 250m Walk in: 10 mins Via: 3H to 3H30 Walk out: 15 mins Total time: 3H30 to 4H
Description: Technically the hardest route in the area as it has a number of very steep sections and 5 bridges, one of which is nearly 100m long. This is a great route and it winds a tortuous route along the water carved gorge with river Durance at its base. Enjoy!
This via has recently (summer 2005) been split into three sections although in principal it hasn't changed and can still be done as one via ferrata. Also for peak time summer visitors 4 large tyrolean cables have been added. The tyrolean gorge crossings can only be done with Roc Aventure who now run the site. Cost of you want to do the tyrolean's as well as the via ferrata is between 25€ and 35€ per person, depending on which ones you want to do. The biggest tyolean is a massive 500m in length!
Access: Well signposted from the road just outside of the village of la Bâtie des Vigneaux between Les Vigneaux and L'Argentière La Bessée.
This via is just 5 minutes drive or 25 minutes walk from the Bouquetin and the Chamois apartments.
Via Ferrata de L'Horloge, L'Argentière La Bessée
Cost for access: Free Difficulty: F High Point: 1,000m Altitude gained on via: 50m Walk in: 5 mins Via: 20 mins to 1H Walk out: 10 mins Total time: 30 mins to 1H15
Description: An easy route in the centre of L'Argentière La Bessée with easy access. A good introduction for those who aren't sure or suitable for smaller children.
Access: In the centre of l'Argentière La Bessée by the traffic lights take the "Rue des Collets". Cross the railway line. The road climbs steeply up the hillside. About 300m after the railway crossing you will find a small track on the left leading to a parking area. Park here and follow the signs.
This via is just 7 minutes drive from the Bouquetin and the Chamois apartments.
La Grande Falaise, Freissinières
Cost for access: 3€ (in peak season otherwise free) Difficulty: D High Point: 1,600m Altitude gained on via: 300m Walk in: 30 mins Via: 2H to 2H30 Walk out: 1H Total time: 3H30 to 4H
Description: A beautiful route (particularly the 2nd half). This was the first via ferrata route to be created in France for leisure use. You will get wonderful views of the calm and peaceful Freissinières valley and it will feel like a real adventure.
Access: From the village of Freissinières take the road that climbs the hillside in the direction of the Col d'Anon. You will leave the village and after a few bends you will find a smalI parking area with a signposted to the climbing area and the via.
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