Rock Climbing and Via Ferrata

High Adventure

Adventure sports with a harness, rock climbing, via ferrata and high ropes courses to test your head for heights.

Via Ferrata

The Aravis area has three fabulous Via Ferrata, in Le Grand Bornand, La Clusaz and Thones and there are many more in the Haute Savoie.

Literally translated as Way of Iron these are alpine routes fitted out with cables, hand rails, rungs and foot bridges. With vertical ascents of over 750 metres you can experience exposed climbs even if you’re new to the sport.

You’re fastened on to a safety cable at all times with a special shock-absorbing device on your harness.

Via Ferrata equipment hire

• Helmet, harness and “cows tails” is 16€ per day.

If you’ve never done this kind of thing before we strongly recommend you go with a qualified mountain guide.

Prices per person from:

• Via Yves Pollet Villard – excellent for beginners – 60€
• Via La Roche a l’Agathe – very physical with overhanging sections – 62€
• Via La Tour du Jalouvre – VERY HIGH – 89€

 Si’s brief guide and suggestions for an introduction to this popular pastime which can be enjoyed by adventurous walkers and climbers alike. Read more about the local via ferrata in Si Taylors MountainFeet guide

Rock Climbing

There’s rock climbing suitable for beginners upwards, and courses run by the local Bureau de Guides. For experienced rock climbers there are hundreds of routes of all grades, bolted or not.

We work closely with David and Fred who are local “Guides de Haute Montagne” to offer you climbing courses and guiding for all levels, including childrens courses.

This is also a good base for exploring further afield (e.g. Chamonix 1 hour’s drive). Gear can be hired locally. Take a look at the Escalade 74 web site which details most of the climbs in the Haute Savoie – as you will see there’s more than enough for anyone. The site is only in French but if you follow links to “Falaises” (French for cliff/crag) you should be OK.  

Climbing lessons for beginners and improvers:

• Adults and over 13’s 3 hour lesson – €45
• Children 5 to 7, 1.5 hour lesson – €31
• Children 8 to 12, 3 hour lesson – €39

Courses:

• Adult 2×1/2 day + 2 full days – €295
• Children 3×1/2 day + 1 day – €166

 

Experienced climbers can obviously do their own thing or can opt for a half days guiding to discover the routes for 80€.

We also have guide books available covering dozens of bolted and un bolted crags in the area.

as the crag came into close view it was obvious that the rock here is something really special, perfect sheets of pale blue grey limestone creased vertically by lines of deeply incised ‘canalures’. These deep twisting grooves braided in the rock, have been worn over millennia by running water as it slowly dissolved the solid rock. These features are virtually unknown in the UK….. see the full article at UKClimbing.com

 

High adventure in the forest

Great fun for everyone, swinging through the trees at the high ropes park in Grand Bornand.

Zip wires, tarzan swings, rope ladders, rope bridges even a bicycle on a tightrope! Climb into the forest canopy and test your skills and balance. Don’t worry if you fall there’s always a safety wire and your harness.

Adulte – €20

Under 18’s – €15

Minimum height 1.10 metres

 

 

The whole family loved it – especially the tarzan swing into the cargo net! – “Jo Hill”