Haute-Savoie means via ferrata with Mont Blanc as a backdrop. About fifteen routes, from the little zip-line via above Lake Annecy to the big walls of the Aravis. We have done several: here is how to choose for your level.
For beginners
- Via-Tyro d'Annecy (Montmin, F): an easy route with zip lines and views of Lake Annecy. The right choice for a first family outing.
- La Cordée des Dahuts (Faverges-Seythenex, PD+): one step up, to build confidence.
- Jacques Révaclier (Présilly, PD to D): several levels in the same place, near Geneva.
Our favourites (AD to AD+)
- Les Évettes (Chamonix, AD): access by the Flégère cable car. A fun south-facing route in the Aiguilles Rouges, finishing with a 50 m Himalayan bridge. Views of the Chamonix valley and Mont Blanc all the way.
- Curalla (Passy, AD+): the only via ferrata facing Mont Blanc. A 20 to 30 min approach through the forest, then vertical climbs, beams, monkey bridges and a Nepalese bridge on a south-facing limestone band.
- Cascade de Bérard (Vallorcine, AD+): Tibetan bridges, a footbridge and monkey bridges along the gorge, up to the waterfall. The closer you get, the wetter the holds: thrills guaranteed.
- Le Saix du Tour (Morzine, AD) and Le Mont (Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, AD to D): two fine options in the Chablais and the Giffre.
For the sporty (D and above)
- Parc Thermal (Saint-Gervais): three parts in the Bonnant gorge, harder and harder. Lower part AD+, middle D+, upper TD+. We did the lower part: traverse, steep wall, log footbridge, then a 24 m Himalayan bridge. You can exit at the Thermes footbridge.
- Tour du Jalouvre at Le Grand-Bornand (AD to D+), Yves Pollet-Villard at La Clusaz (D): the big via ferratas of the Aravis.
- Bellevaux (D+, with an AD route), Saix de Miolène at Abondance (AD+ to TD), l'Éléphant at Saint-Jean-d'Aulps (AD+ to ED).
- La Roche à l'Agathe at Thônes (D to ED): for experienced climbers.
Our tips on site
- Check the lift timetables : for the Évettes, mind the last Flégère cable car (otherwise, a long walk down).
- Start early on south-facing walls (Évettes, Curalla): they heat up quickly in summer.
- Watch out for storms : they often build in the afternoon around Mont Blanc. See via ferrata and storms.
- Combine : Évettes, Curalla and Bérard can be done in a few days from Chamonix or Passy.
- Unsure about the level? Read understanding grades and my first via ferrata.
Also heading to the Écrins? Read our guide to via ferrata in the Hautes-Alpes. All the via ferratas are on the via ferrata map.