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Simply Savoie

Guided walking – snowshoeing – via ferrata in the French Alps with Mark Tennent

Haute Savoie

Via Ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard

Via Ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard

The via ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard is in a great position close to the Col des Aravis and near the village of La Clusaz in Haute Savoie.? It is a beautifully situated above the alpine pastures and as you approach the route you may hear the sound of cow bells.? You may even want to visit one of the nearby farms selling Reblochon (the local cheese).

Leaving the car park the path leads you up through pine woods before you emerge at the base of the cliff.? There’s rock climbing routes to your left.? The via ferrata starts on steep limestone and overall takes a rising traverse up the cliff.? A short steep section close to the start gives you an idea of the difficulty that you may encounter.? Easier ground leads to a steep section, “le donjon des Deux Niches” (the dungeon of the two nests literally translated).? As you progress the route unfolds.

One of the classic views of the via ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard is a “Nepal Bridge” of about 20m, in an airy position.? This takes you on to another steep wall.? The route continues until, close to the end, two choices present themselves.? Either get ready for a short but sharp section with an overhang to test your arms and motivation or continue traversing before arriving at the end of the route.

The descent is straightforward across some inclined slabs before reaching wooded terrain, and a footpath leading down to the car park.

Mark’s Opinion

A superb via ferrata to be savoured!

Via Ferrata La Tour de la Jalouvre

The via ferrata La Tour de la Jalouvre is set in magnificent surroundings in the Aravis mountain range.

The route follows the left hand side of the the Jalouvre in great positions including a Nepal bridge and a steep wall.

 

Via Ferrata La Roche à l’Agathe – Thones

Mark’s Opinion:

A fantastic via ferrata! The via ferrata La Roche à l’Agathe is a superb route overlooking the town of Thones in the Aravis. The direct finish is considered to be one of the hardest via ferrata in France. The route is full of steep sections maintaining interest throughout.

Approach

Parking is easy with less than ten minutes walk to reach the foot of the route. Set off by the information panel and zig-zag up through the beech woods to the start with a further information board and the start of the cable.

The Via Ferrata

The route starts off up easy slabs overlooking the cliff to the left. A short descent leads to the first “interest” – a “monkey” bridge (consisting of 2 wires). The exposure soon makes itself felt as you reach the far side and the steep cliff above. The way on is hidden from sight. A few steeper moves and the steepness relents. As you continue a steep rising traverse from right to left you will enjoy steep walls and increasing views over the town of Thones. Beyond you the mountain of La Tournette above Lac d’Annecy and the valley leading to the Col de Marais. As you climb higher a series of steeper sections keep the arms working. There’s an “escape route” off to the right at about 2/3 height. You can see the ladder to the right of the direct finish looming above. A hard pull takes you to the platform where you have three choices. The direct finish, the ladder or an escape to the right that joins the descent route.

If you are confident and have the arms to match go for the direct finish. However don’t be found lacking as running out of strength can leave you unable to go on and reversing what you’ve already climbed may be taxing. My tip: be capable of around 10 “dead-hang” pull ups. Note: this is one of the few via ferrata to have seen fatal accidents. If you decide on the ladder it is climbed up the inside, i.e. next to the cliff, facing out over the valley – weird! At the top a stride takes you back on to the cliff above. The two options re-join just above. You are then treated to some easy climbing up limestone slabs with characteristic water-worn runnels. You are now at the top!

The Descent

The descent is protected by a cable for the first half of the return. Finally you reach a well-defined path amongst the beech woods. This path leads down to a chapel and a track that takes you back to the quiet road and parking. The hotel bar is tempting if you need some refreshment.

Location

The via ferrata la Roche à l’Agathe overlooks the town of Thones in the Aravis a short journey from Annecy.

Aspect

The via ferrata faces south. If the day is going to be hot it’s worth completing the route in the morning before the sun gets on to the face.

Other via ferrata in the area

The Tour de la Jalouvre near Le Grand Bornand

Yves Pollet-Villard between La Clusaz and the Col des Aravis.

Via Ferrata in the Aravis

A great day out yestereday near the Col des Aravis on the via ferrata ?Yves Pollet-Villard?. Graded ?D? the via ferrata does a rising traverse up the cliff with views out over the Col. Some nice situations and the classic view of the Nepal footbridge. For those who want a little physical challenge the direct finish over the roof is fun. It was a pleasant surprise to see, at less than 50m, a chamois with it?s young cabri on the descent after the climb. Since it was in the 30?s yet again today the afternoon was rounded off with a refreshing swim in Lac d?Annecy.

Via Ferrata in the Aravis – Col des Aravis

The sunny weather continues, for now, in Savoie or should I say Haute Savoie.? Driving from Albertville I crossed the “frontier” into Haute Savoie and into the land of “Reblochon” (the wonderful creamy cheese synonymous with the Aravis and an essential ingredient in the heart warming Tartiflette).? The sound of cow bells tinkling in the fields greeted us as we parked up.

A short walk on a path through the woods led up to the start.? This via ferrata does a rising traverse on the cliffs overlooking the Col des Aravis.? The views extend into the Beaufortain and we could make out the distinct shape of the Pierra Menta.? In the other direction we could see La Tournette above lac d’Annecy and Thones.

It was quite busy today and there were parties in front and behind.? Soon we were clear of the trees and with a great view out over the “alpages”.? A short steep wall as you leave a small “cave” and then soon after the footbridge; a classic picture of this via ferrata.? Time to take? some more pictures!? The route continues it’s traverse until right near the end where a choice is made between the “direct finish” and the more gentle finish.? The direct finish takes in a small but athletic overhang.? I climbed up and “installed” myself just above so that I could give a helping hand with the rope if necessary.? Andrew and Tom made it without problems and although the rope was clipped in neither required it’s assistance.

Soon we were at the top and getting out our picnic; charcuterie, fresh bread from the boulangerie in La Giettaz and some small cherry tomatoes from my garden.? The walk down starts off amongst small pines.? On the way down movement at my feet suddenly grabbed my attention.? It was a small viper, with it’s distinctive diamond/wedged shaped head, luckily it hadn’t bitten me or if it had tried it had got a mouthful of my La Sportiva boots!

Another great day.

Vultures and via ferrata in Haute Savoie

After meeting up in Albertville and decision made it was off to the Col des Aravis and the via ferrata Yves Pollet-Villard on the cliffs overlooking the col.

Arrving at the foot of the route after about 20 minutes we geared up.? There was a large group that seemed to comprise several families with young children the youngest probably around 8 years old.? They set off before we were ready but it was only a moment before one of the children was in tears and descended with the aid of one of the adults.? I was surprised to see children of that age un-roped as it’s highly advisable with children (and effectively obligatory when working professionally with them).? I certainly rope up my youngest daughter (9).

It was a beautiful autumn (at least a couple of days before it’s official start) day with blue skies but without the intense light of summer.? The Pierra Menta in the Beaufortain could be seen in the distance and the Glacier de la Vanoise.

Soon we reached one of the key features of the route a “Nepal” bridge gained after a short descent round a nose of rock.? I went ahead so that I could take a video of this section with a terrific backdrop of alpine pastures, chalets and the limestone bulk of La Tournette in the distance.? We continued to a flattening where we stopped to enjoy our sandwich and drink in the views and breath in the fresh, alpine air.

Movement caught my eye below and saw me reaching for my camera as a “Bearded Vulture” (Gypaete Barbu – fr) or Lammergaier thermalled effortlessly below above the pine trees below the cliff.? It circled gaining height as it rose along the line of the cliff.? I snapped away hoping to get a good shot.? It’s a majestic bird with an adult’s wingspan reaching c. 2m 80cm.? After this perfect demonstration of thermalling that I could never match when I paraglided we moved on.? It’s moments like this that make my day and sharing this moment with Helen and Owen was a highlight of the day.

Soon we were below the exit with two choices, one over the short overhang or two an easy traverse of the ledges and up a short gully.? There wasn’t much of a discussion, the overhang beckoned.? After dropping off the rope coils I had tied off around me I quickly installed myself above so that I could give a direct belay, more for my own peace of mind.? Helen and Owen made short work of it and the rope wasn’t required but there “just in case”.? A few minutes later we were at the finish and getting out the remainder of our food and just enjoying relaxing in the sun after a great few hours spent together in a picture-postcard environment.