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 Prise de la Bastille, Grenoble, Isère

Features

A stone's throw away from the city center.

In two parts. The second part is reserved for well trained via ferrata-ists. Oh boy! It's tough...

With 1 rope bridge and 1 footbridge

ViaFerrata Tips and Tricks

For additional information contact the Bureau Information Montagne (Mountain Information Desk) located on the 1st floor of the Grenoble Tourism Office, they can also give you information for other mountain activities: hiking, MTB, climbing, white-water, mountaineering. 

Grade

Information

Grenoble Tourism Office

Length and Altitude

First part

Elevation gain : 120 m
Length : 250 m
Altitude at the start : 220 m

Second part

Elevation gain : 110 m
Length: 300 m 
Altitude at the End : 450 m

Time of Year

All year long except when the soft snow adorns the mountains in white

Horaire

Access : to have plenty of leeway:  a full minute
Via Ferrata 1 : 45 minutes
Via Ferrata 2 : 45 minutes
Way back : 30 minutes

By Car

When arriving in Grenoble from highway A48 take the "Bastille" exit which is located at the "Porte de France" and the Esplanade parking lot will be on your left.

Leave your car in the Esplanade parking lot which is located at the entrance to Grenoble. Lock your doors and don't leave anything on the seats.

By Train or Bus

For once you don't have an excuse to not take the train: Stop: Grenoble Train Station. Check with the SNCF: schedules and fares.

Access

From the Train Station

Directly across from the station exit go towards the Casimir Périer street and keep going to the Place Hubert Dubedout. From here, cross the Isère river on the Pont de la Porte de France and you will arrive at the Porte de France (a kind of mini Arc de Triomphe).

The starting point is at number 22 Route de Lyon, 100m from the Porte de France behind the Esplanade parking lot. In front of you you will be able to admire the old Vicat quarry. The gate is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the latest recommended start time is 4 p.m.

Via Ferrata

The Prise de la Bastille via ferrata is made up of two parts.

The first part,
With a grade rating of difficult - you start off by climbing up a pillar and then traversing the entire Vicat Cirque,  which includes a rope bridge and two footbridges. A beautiful view on the city of Grenoble.

Part 2
To get to the second part take a trail through the Guy Pape Park which will lead you to the foot of the second section in 15 minutes (there are signs along the trail).

The second part is essentially an ascending traverse of an overhang, it's really strenuous and there is no where to rest. Two escape routes were put in place to allow those who are worn out to still make it to the summit. It's tough stuff, and it is for you, friend with experience and strength.

Once the second part is finished you go over another small projection which is followed by 150m of steps that lead you to the ancient fortifications of the Bastille.

Here, take a picture and post it on social media for all your friends to see, and don't forget to add: "I did it!"!

Way Back

To go back down there are two options: Either go up 15 minutes to the top of the Bastille Fort and then use the lifts to get back to the city center, or take the Jardins des Dauphins path which will lead you to Porte de France in 20 minutes.
 

Where to Spend the Night

It's a big city, you'll be able to find something nice.

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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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