Via Ferratas of the French Alps. Richard Miller

area covered in this chapter encompasses the Chablais, Haute-Giffre, Bornes, Aravis and Beaufortain ranges within the Alps as well as the southern end of the Jura Massif, which is a separate range from the Alps. These ranges are more accessible than some of those of higher altitude to the east and south, and have a relatively long summer season. The 12 via ferratas described are spread out over a fairly wide area, so allow plenty of travel time if you intend to visit several of them. The routes are fairly representative of French via ferratas, being quite varied in both style and difficulty.

      For tourist information see the websites listed in Appendix D.

      ROUTE 1

      Via Ferrata Fort l’Ecluse

Location	Léaz, Ain (GPS: Lat. 46º 7’ 11.92” N Long. 5º 53’ 24.78" E)
Length	400m
Ascent/Descent	170m
Route grading	technical grade: 2; exposure: 2; seriousness: A
Total time	1hr 30mins (approach: 10mins; route: 1hr; return: 20mins)
Highest altitude	590m
Map	3330OT
Technical notes	direction: SW; escape points: 0
When to visit	March to November
Useful website	www.cc-pays-de-gex.fr/fortlecluse

      Strategically located overlooking the River Rhone at a point where it forces a path through the tail-end of the Jura Massif, the Fort de L’Ecluse guards a major approach route to Geneva. The eponymous via ferrata, which scales bluffs running between the lower and upper bastions of the fort, involves a pleasant and straightforward ascent offering fine views of the river and the Genevois Plain. South facing and situated at low altitude, the route can be visited for much of the year and is suitable for beginners. A visit to the fort, which has been the site of military conflicts from Roman times until the 1940s, is recommended. The fortress is open to visitors from mid-June to mid-September, 1000 to 1830 (entry €5). In 2013 an additional via ferrata/ropes course was added to the internal walls of the Upper Fort (€25 fee); see www.varappe-evolution.com.

      Access

      From Bellegarde-sur-Valserine drive 10km to the east on the D1206. Just prior to entering a tunnel, which passes under the fort, turn right and park. If coming from Geneva, take the D884 and D984 to reach the D1206 just prior to its passage through the tunnel. Turn left at the exit of the tunnel and park.

      Approach

      From the car park, head towards the Lower Fort and turn left up a signposted path, which leads directly to the start of the route.

      Route

      The initially direct climb soon turns into a long rising traverse to the left. Any strenuous moments are brief and well spaced out and there are plenty of opportunities to rest. Once the walls of the Upper Fort are reached, cross a balance beam and two-wire bridge, both of which are short and unexposed. After the via ferrata ends, continue ascending, ignoring any unmarked descent paths, until the entrance to the Upper Fort is reached.

      Crossing the two-wire bridge beneath the Upper Fort

      Return

      Follow green arrows heading northwest on a metalled track. After 10mins turn left as signposted and descend to the car park.

      ROUTE 2

      Via Ferrata Jacques Revaclier

Location	Pomier (near Présilly), Haute-Savoie (GPS: Lat. 46º 4’ 46.02” N Long. 6º 6’ 25.63" E)
Length	500m
Ascent/Descent	200m
Route grading	technical grade: 2; exposure: 3; seriousness: A
Total time	1hr 45mins (approach: 25mins; route: 1hr; return: 20mins)
Highest altitude	1020m
Map	3430OT
Technical notes	direction: W; escape points: 0
When to visit	April to October
Useful websites	www.genevois-nature.fr; www.maisondusaleve.com

      While undoubtedly brief, this via ferrata is still a tempting proposition due to its position on the western flanks of Mont Salève. This long escarpment runs south from Geneva and is much used by the inhabitants of that city for hiking, climbing and paragliding. The local authority asks that you exercise particular discretion if visiting this route during spring, due to the possibility of peregrine falcons nesting in the vicinity.

      Note that there are two other cabled routes on Mont Salève, the Vires Büttikofer and Etournelles, both located above Collonges-sous-Salève. These involve sections of unprotected and exposed scrambling and should not be undertaken other than with a local guide.

      Access

      From St-Julien-en-Genevois drive south on the D1201. At a roundabout take the C11 and drive to Chartreuse de Pomier. From there, follow signs for ‘Parking Promeneurs’ until you come to a parking area with a large boulder at its centre.

      Approach

      Look out for a small yellow sign for Les Convers. Follow the indicated track, which winds steeply uphill through dense forest, until you reach an information panel for the via ferrata.

      Route

      Walk without any noticeable difficulty until emerging from the woods onto a pleasantly bulging rock-face. Continue, with intermittent protection, past some impressively overhanging bolted rock-climbing routes. There are 79 bolted rock-climbing routes in the vicinity of the via ferrata, graded 3–7. Just beyond the point where you pass a memorial to the mountaineer after whom the route is named (who died in an accident elsewhere), the nature of the route changes. Both exposure and difficulty increase as you edge out onto sheer rock and ascend for 20m to the finish. This final section is short but moderately strenuous and offers good views of the countryside surrounding Geneva.

      The Genevois Plain from the exposed final part of the route

      Return

      A narrow path follows red waymarks uphill for a little way until joining a larger path. Turn left to extend your visit to Mont Salève, or right to descend and rejoin the approach path.

      ROUTE 3

      Via Ferrata des Saix de Miolène

Location	La Chapelle-d’Abondance, Haute-Savoie (GPS: Lat. 46º 17’ 41.71” N Long. 6º 45’ 52.44" E)
Length	900m
Ascent/Descent	225m
Route grading	technical grade: 2–4; exposure: 2–3; seriousness: A (all stages)
Total time	3hrs 30mins
Highest altitude	1250m
Map	3528ET
Technical notes	direction: SE; total escape points: 3
When to visit	April to October
Useful website	www.abondance.org

      The picture-postcard Abondance Valley constitutes the perfect ideal of an alpine setting: small, chalet-filled villages surrounded by pastures and overlooked by high mountains. The Saix de Miolene, a line of high bluffs dominating the north side of the valley above La Chapelle-d’Abondance, is perhaps the best vantage point from which to enjoy this magnificent location. The via ferrata is of good quality throughout and is divided by escape paths into several