Via Ferrata de Peille, Peille, Alpes Maritimes

Features

4 very different sections, and there is an escape possible before each: Hanging bridge, footbridge, a net over the void, technical parts, vertigo, and best of all an 80m zipline.

A beautiful via ferrata if you have mastered the technique and if you have experience.

You have to pay: 3 Euro for each adult, but it worths it.

It's also possible to do it at night. There are reserved nights.

ViaFerrata Tips and Tricks

Call before going as the number of participants is limited. You must reserve your seat!

Leave early in the morning...the traffic is as bad as in Los Angeles, minus the exhaust gas, at least that...

If the first part is too crowded you can start near the road for the second demanding part, but it's a shame to have come all this way to miss the first part.

Bring water. Full exposure to the Provence sun.

Don't bring beginners as it is not a via ferrata for first-timers. Some morons convince their friends to try this via ferrata as their first, but they are morons!
If you really want to do it as a first-timer, you can go with one of the available guides.

Grade

Information

Peille Commune.

The Absinthe bar is the owner of the Via Ferrata, here you can find rental equipment and details and explanations and entrance tickets:Tél: 04 93 79 95 75
Outside of France  +33 4 93 79 95 75

Length and Altitude

Start: 515 meters
End: 700 meters
Length: 800 meters
Elevation gain: 185 meters

GPS Coordinates

N 43'48'268
E 007'24'225
Alt. 647 m.  

Time of Year

All year. But be careful during the winter, it is not open every day.

Some nighttime outings are organized, check for dates at the Absinthe bar.

Timing

Approach: 5 minutes
Viaferrata : 1h45 during the week and 10 to 18h on the weekends!
Way Back: 15 minutes on an excellent trail

By Car

We'll be nice and give you a tip. Instead of going around in circles like we did trying to find one of the three routes that leads to Peille,
Exit the Nice-Est highway at Exit 57, La Turbie
In La Turbie get on the deparment road (route départementale) 53 to get to Peille.
Menton 24 km
Monaco 15 km
Vintimille 35 km.

By Train or Bus

From Nice with the bus and a lot of time to spare.  Check with the SNCF: schedules and fares.

Access

In Peille, park in one of the public village parking lots made for those going up the via ferrata. Then cross the village to get your ticket at the bar and to get to the start of the via ferrata which is at the bottom of the village.

Via Ferrata

Le Baous de Caster: It starts off with a footbridge 30 pitiful meters above the ground. Then the proper via ferrata thrills begin with a first slab where an overhang might get you stuck. 300m of void. and behind you, before you transition onto a footbridge on the opposite wall, direct sunlight. If you don't want to cross this, there is an escape route...

Second section : It is strenuous and there are a lot of overhangs. The cherry on the cake is a hanging bridge with a magnificent view of the Peille village. A photo break is mandatory...

In the most eastern cave you can choose to keep going on to the next two parts or finish your adventure here. You can go on the infamous net or you can avoid it, but if you avoid it you still have to climb up!
At the top of the net you can zip off to the right to get on the easy variant or throw yourself into the Overhang of Justice. This section is reserved for skilled ferrata-ists and those who have strong arms. It need not be said that this is the thrilling section, even chilling.
Just above this variant you come to section that is not equipped with footholds, so it's all arm strength...or technique if you're holding us.

After that hard part: the Zipline. Be careful for the Zipline section! There is a mattress at the end of the zipline. It is there to save your life or a leg in case you need it! Do not use the Speed pulley from Petzl...if you don't weigh much, let yourself go. However, if you are heavier (90kg or more) brake because you might just end up testing the theory of the heavy thing against the insufficiently stuffed mattress..

Way Back

The way down towards the via ferrata... a real delight on a little shaded trail with a nice view on the cemetery.

Where to Spend the Night

There are several options in the village.

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Via Ferrata Nant de Rossane, Les Aillons, Savoie

Features

3 different parts with a zipline that you can bypass.
Great for an introduction to via ferrata with children or beginners

ViaFerrata Tips and Tricks

The zipline is not equipped... bring your own equipment. The rock is friable, wearing a helmet is mandatory (as it is, in fact, for all via ferratas). Bring your gloves, as always in the case of rock fall.

Grade

Information

 Aillons Tourism Office

Length and Altitudes

Length: 270 m.
Part 1: 100 m.
Part 2: 80 m.
Part 3: 90 m.

ViaFerrata Start:  1,050 meters
ViaFerrata End :  1,100 meters
Elevation gain : 50 m

Time of Year

As soon as their is now more snow. Check with the tourism office.

Timing

Approach: 10 minutes
Ferrata: 90 minutes
Way Back: 10 minutes

By Car

25 km from Chambéry, follow the Bauges massif

By Train

Check with the SNCF for buses and trains.

Access

From the Prés Pass towards the station.
At the roundabout go left until you reach the parking lot across from the equestrian center.
You'll reach the Rossane cave in 10 minutes.

Via Ferrata 

1st part
The first part lets you learn how to use the lanyards as it has intermediary anchor points for extra security.
Fairy difficult - total length: 100m - 1 5m ladder - 1 8m hanging bridge.

2nd part
As you follow the small path you meet up with the second part which is characterized by horizontal progression over a series of ledges.
Easy - total length: 80m - 1 5m footbridge.

3rd part
When you are about to reach the 3rd part, the 2nd part gives you the option of an easier variant which goes up sideways on a little ramp at the end of the footbridge.
Before crossing the footbridge you can go directly to the 3rd part via a short overhanging climb and a horizontal traverse of a very steep section under the overhangs, and then by crossing a depression on a 15m rope bridge (2 cables).

There is a small 20m zipline at the end of the via ferrata (a pulley is mandatory).
Difficult - total length: 90m - 1 12m rope bridge - 1 20 zipline - 1 5m rope bridge.

Way back

Pretty intuitive. No need to draw a map.

Where to Spend the Night

Stopover lodge with 10 beds : contact the tourism office

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Via Ferrata Planfoy, Planfoy, Loire

Features

2 via ferratas: The Adult's Via Ferrata and the Children's Via Ferrata, "Les Pillots", which is intended for children 6-12 years old and at least 1m10 tall.

The commune has made this are a "center of vertical activities."
It's free so you can try the whole package of vertical outdoor activities: Adult's and Children's Via Ferrata, Zipline, Adult Mountain Route.

ViaFerrata Tips and Tricks

Bring your MTB and also go visit the Pilat regional park.

This via ferrata is free. If you need a guide, plenty are available, and if you need equipment you can rent it.

Adult's Via Ferrata Grade

Information

Planfoy Tourism Office.

Length and Altitude

Via Ferrata Start: 660 m
Elevation gain: 235 m.
Cable length: 600 m.
Exposure: Southeast on gneiss rocks.

Time of Year

Open all year. You can't go on it at night when the route is icy or snowed over.

Timing

Elevation gain: 100 m.
Length: 600 m.
Start: 800 meters
End:  900 meters

The adult's via ferrata (600 m long) takes 3-4 hours round trip and the Children's Via Ferrata (250m long) takes 2 hours.

By Car

RN 82 from St-Etienne towards the République Pass and Annonay. 8km from St-Etienne.

By Train or Bus

Take the TGV to St-Etienne if they're not on strike. Check with the SNCF: schedules and fares.

Access

A 45 minutes approach from the village of Planfoy.

Drop your car off gently in the parking lot near the cemetery!
From Planfoy a "yellow and white" marked trail leads you to the via ferrata after 30 to 45 minutes of walking. Onwards to the "center of vertical activities."

Via Ferrata

The platform at the start of the Adult's via ferrata is the easiest way to get on, but for those who are "in a rush" there is an intermediary access point.

The beginning is in the forest, easy. Then a section that is a bit more technical and leads to a big, but easy climb, a little footbridge, and then it's down to the big 17m footbridge. Once you are on the other side there is a big, but nice climb all the way to the top of the via ferrata.

The Gouffre D'Enfer Valley (Hell's Abyss Valley) with its two stone dams and Roch Corbière climbing site is a superb setting.

On the Children's Via Ferrata: a 30m combination of gymnastic's apparatus, including a suspended net, small hops, a platform where you can rest, and swings. These have replaced the forest route which was originally installed in 2006. For children the via ferrata ends by going from tree to tree on footbridges.

Way Back

It's pretty easy to find your way.
 

Where to Spend the Night

Camping, lodge in St Genest Malifaux (4 km), and plenty of other options on site

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