Article
In August, discover some of Earth's highest peaks. Get all guidebooks and eBooks to the Himalayas for 15% off.
Find out more
Via Ferratas of the French Alps
66 routes between Geneva and Briancon
ISBN
9781852846480
Availability
Published
Published
20 Jan 2014
Reprinted
5 Jan 2024
Edition
First
Pages
352
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.90cm
Weight
400g
Delivery & Returns
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
More information...
This guidebook covers 66 varied via ferratas in the French Alps. The routes are spread over six areas: Geneva and the Northern Alps, Chambéry, Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys, Grenoble and Briançon, amid the Mont Blanc, Vanoise and Queyras ranges. Difficulty ranges from easy, protected routes through to exposed, technical challenges.
Seasons
the bulk of the routes are open from early summer to mid-autumn, with a fair number being open from early spring to early winter depending on local weather conditionsCentres
Geneva, Chambéry, St Jean de Maurienne, Grenoble, Briançon as well as numerous mountain resortsDifficulty
a wide range of routes from straightforward protected walks ideal for beginners to highly strenuous, massively exposed endeavours suitable only for the most daring. All routes graded for difficulty, exposure and the seriousness of the environment. A full explanation of the techniques and equipment required is givenMust See
Routes on or near the Mont Blanc Massif, Lac Bourget, the Beaufortain Massif, the Vanoise Massif, the Chartreuse Massif, the Écrins Massif, the Queyras Massif and many other scenic highlights of the French AlpsISBN
9781852846480
Availability
Published
Published
20 Jan 2014
Reprinted
5 Jan 2024
Edition
First
Pages
352
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.90cm
Weight
400g
Delivery & Returns
Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.
More information...
-
Overview
-
A guidebook to 66 via ferrata routes in the French Alps. Covering the region between Geneva and Briançon the routes range from very easy, protected routes suitable for children, through to extremely exposed and technical routes for experienced ferratists only.
- Routes can be enjoyed in 1-9 hours
- Routes are graded by technical difficulty, exposure and seriousness
- Routes from keys areas including Chambery, Grenobe, the Tarentaise and Maurienne valleys
- Local points of interest are featured including the Mont Blanc, Vanoise and Queyras massifs
- Perfect June through to September although some routes are open from early Spring to early winter
- Sketch maps and topos included for each route
-
Table of Contents
-
Mountain safety
Map key
Route listing
Overview map
Introduction
When to go
Getting to the Alps
Getting around
Language
Costs
Accommodation
Maps
Route grading
Equipment
Moving safely
Climbing with children
Dangers
Accidents and mountain rescue
Insurance
Using this guide
Routes and bases
Geneva and the Northern Alps
Chambéry
Tarentaise
Maurienne
Grenoble
Briançon
Appendix A Routes listed in order of difficulty
Appendix B Glossary of via ferrata terminology
Appendix C Useful French words and phrases
Appendix D Useful contacts
-
Maps
-
It is likely that the majority of readers will visit these routes by car; to that end a good, up-to-date, road atlas is highly recommended. Most of the routes cover a small area and make use of their own purpose-built approach and descent paths. For this reason, a topographical map will be of limited use.
However, for a handful of longer mountain routes such as the Via Ferrata d’Ugine (Route 11) or Via Ferrata l’Aiguillette du Lauzet (Route 51), one may come in handy. In any event, if you plan to extend your outing beyond the via ferrata or just wish to have a better appreciation of the surrounding landscape, a topographical map will be useful. The Institut Géographique National (IGN) produces the standard range of French topographic maps, which are of a similar quality to British Ordnance Survey maps. The most suitable series is the IGN Carte de Randonnée TOP25 series, which has a blue cover. These are widely available from newsagents and tourist offices throughout France and can also be ordered online. The IGN website (www.geoportail.fr), which features scalable topographical and satellite maps, is also extremely useful.
-
Updates
-
April 2016
Route Updates and corrections
There has been a product alert for Petzl ASPIR harnesses. Please see the the following link for details: https://www.petzl.com/INT/en/Sport/News/2016-4-22/Alert--malicious-acts-carried-out-on-ASPIR-harnesses#.Vxz1NTcrLxB. Readers should bear in mind the issue raised by this alert when making any purchase of via ferrata safety equipment from the internet.'
There has been a product recall for Black Diamond Via Ferrata self-belay lanyards. Please see the the following link for details: https://warranty.bdel.com/ViaFerrataRecall/Landing
July 2015
Route 40 - Via Ferrata de la Cascade de L'Oule
This via ferrata remains closed and is unlikely to reopen during 2015
September 2014
Route 40 - Via Ferrata de la Cascade de L'Oule
This via ferrata has closed due to rock fall. It is not likely to reopen this year but should be usable again from spring 2015.August 2014
New Via Ferrata Rocher de l'envers
A new via ferrata has opened close to the village of Saint-Vincent-de-Mercuze, which is located 10km to the north of Route 40 (page 224). The route is reportedly fairly easy and takes 2-3 hours to complete. It should be avoided in wet weather."July 2014
New Via Ferrata Bellevaux
A new via ferrata has opened near the village of Bellevaux. This is located 10km south of Thonon-les-Bains, near Routes 3 and 4. It is reportedly free to use with your own equipment, quite large and incorporates a number of bridges and other elements, covering a range of difficulties. The local tourist office contact details can be found at http://ete.bellevaux.com/office-du-tourisme-bellevaux-val-d-hermone.html.
p204; Route 36 Via Ferrata du Rocher Saint Pierre – Stage A: 1ère Partie
An additional section of via ferrata has been added, which provides an easier alternative to the Échelle de Tichodrome.
p219; Route 39 Via Ferrata de l'Adret – Stage B: Le Bastion
This is reportedly closed for the whole of the 2014 season. Stage A is still open.
p300; Route 58 Via Ferrata des Gorges de la Durance
A new section of via ferrata has been added, which is designed specifically for small children (ages four and up).
p327; Route 64 Via Ferrata de Fort Queyras
As of mid-July 2014 this route has been temporarily closed due to an access dispute. Hopefully the dispute will be resolved quickly, but make sure to check with the local tourist office before visiting. Their contact details can be found at www.chateauvillevieille.com/office-tourisme-ete.html.
By Richard Miller
Born on Jersey, Richard Miller first discovered a love of high places among New Zealand’s Southern Alps. His passion for travel and exploring has since led to walking, scrambling, mountaineering and climbing across the globe. Latterly, having discovered the pleasures of continental Europe, he has focused on the Alps and Pyrenees.
Like many Brits, his first experience of a via ferrata was in the towering spires of the Italian Dolomites. Having found it much to his liking, he set about visiting as many via ferratas as he could and soon discovered a burgeoning number of new routes across Western Europe.
