Via Ferrata Overview
Via Ferrata in France has become more and more popular since it was first developed in the Italian Dolomites and Austrian Tyrol during World War 1 as a way of moving through the mountains incognito. Via Ferrata or 'Iron Way' is made up of a series of cliff face and high mountain routes linked together by fixed cables, bridges, staples, pegs and hand holds providing protected access to otherwise inaccessible areas. Via ferrata is an exhilarating and safe way for walkers, scramblers and climbers to experience the thrill of mountaineering without the need for much equipment, rope work or any previous experience. The adrenaline rush and stunning views experienced while exposed high up a cliff face will stay long in the memory.
Via ferrata climbers use a sit harness or over-shoulder number with simple rope and karabiner arrangement (available for hire locally), which acts as a special shock-absorbing safety device. Via ferrata routes can be very long (2-6 hours +), and French via ferrata grades vary from F (facile/easy) - little more than a protected scramble - to ED (extremement dificle/very difficult) - with steep and overhanging sections.
After WW1, via ferrata became popular for recreational use and there are now hundreds all over Europe, with large concentrations in the Italian and German Dolomites. After the First World War, military routes with fixtures, such as the Alpini Way in the Sexten Dolomites were used by mountaineers. Then, beginning in the 1930s and continuing after the Second World War, the Bochette Way in the Brenta Dolomites was developed to shorten and ease the time consuming approaches to the popular Brenta climbing routes.
If you have your own via ferrata equipment (helmet, harness and specially designed lanyard - ordinary slings are not advised due to high shock load factors) and are experienced, you can do via ferrata on your own. However, in our Alpine Thrills packages you will led by a qualified and experienced mountain guide for every 5 people, ensuring your safety and maximum enjoyment.
The thrill of viewing a daunting rock face or mountainside from a distance - often with a thin filament of a suspension bridge visible - arriving at the foot, clipping onto the cable and steadily and rhythmically climbing up the face is something you have to try to appreciate. With clip after clip of karabiners, using natural foot and handholds in the rock as well as the rungs or bolts, climbers gradually scale the rock with spectacular views on the way. At the top the reward is an outstanding view, a high-altitude lunch and the satisfaction of completing the climb. The technique (basically just clipping on with your karabiners) is fast to learn and the climbs always different. The more hard-core climbers can create extra challenges for themselves by choosing not to use the foot and hand holds provided, but merely clipping on for safety and then using natural holds along the way. Beginners get a kick out of getting up the rock face and conquering any fears along the way.
Alpine Thrills packages
With 3 major via ferrata routes within 15 minutes of the lodge, at La Clusaz, Grand Bornand and Thones, the Haute Savoie is one of the best regions to experience via ferrata in the French Alps. With vertical ascents of over 750 metres you can experience exposed climbs, even if you're new to the sport. Local guides can be hired for the day at around------euros. Being so near to Geneva and Annecy, it is ideally suited to a long weekend activity holiday.
Experience needed
No previous experience needed, but you should have a head for heights!
Activity time
4-5.5 hours.
Fitness required
Via ferrata can be fairly challenging, but is accessible to anyone who leads a generally active lifestyle. You will need to be fairly agile and able to lift yourself through steep/vertical sections. There is also a steep walk uphill to the start. Once you start, you cannot stop and go back, so do be sure you are happy from the start.
Equipment
Your guide will provide harness, helmets and a special energy absorbing lanyard which you use to stay clipped in to bolts and wires. Otherwise, you just need comfortable clothing and trainers, and maybe a daysack with spare jacket, waterproof and camera of course.
This video gives you a good overview of what via ferrata is (and some canyoning at Canyon d'Angon at the end!)
