The village of Valloire is set high in the mountains between the famous Col du Telegraphe and the Col du Galibier linking the Maurienne valley in the Savoie with the Hautes Alpes. In the winter Valloire is a thriving ski resort.
There are 3 via ferrata close to the village itself. Two are situated on the Rocher Saint-Pierre just at the exit to the village. Although the two via ferrata are described separately typically they are combined. The first is currently affected by a large rock fall but a path enables you to regain the route a short while later. Check out the tourist office for up-to-date information.
Saint-Pierre I is pretty athletic with an impressive ladder followed by ?Le devers a Bras? (literally the overhang of the arms). Are your arms ready for it? The via ferrata is graded TD (Tres Difficile) and is 450m long. Allow around 2hrs to complete it. The second section, Saint-Pierre II, is a little less taxing but there are some sections where there’s plenty of ?space below your feet?. It includes a 40m long footbridge ending on a steep wall.
The via ferrata de Poingt Ravier was the first via ferrata in Savoie. It’s an ideal via ferrata for beginners with increasing views over the village of Valloire and the surrounding mountains. The via ferrata is approached by a very short walk, c. 5 mins, from the parking. The route follows slabs, a corner (?diedre?) and some short walls before reaching the summit. The descent passes through the picturesque little hamlet of Poingt Ravier before a path leads down in a series of zig-zags to the village.
