Characteristics

In three sections with 3 different levels of difficulty and escape routes between sections.
The first section is an excellent initiation for children or beginners.

ViaFerrata.Org – tips

Doing the whole via is only for the very fit and experienced. It’s long and the final section calls on all your strength.
Be careful; you are continuously exposed to the sun. If you are going for the full via, take water as well as a snack!

Level

Information

Length and Altitude

Sud-East
Viaferrata lenght : 900 m (+ 2 way out)
Drop: 220 m
Via ferrata start : 1 030 m
Via Ferrata finish : 1 250 m

Tronçon du Cabri:
Lenght : 350 m (including the way out)
Timing: 1 h and 15 mn to reach it - way back 20 to 30 min
For Beginners and kids minimum 140 cm
 
Tronçon du Chamois:
Lenghts including Cabri : 700 m (including the way out)
Total time: 1h - way back 25 à 35 min

Tronçon du Bouquetin:
Via ferrata lenght : 900m (including the way out)
Total time: 3 à 5 heures - back to car 30 à 45 min

When can you climb it

Times

From the park: 15 minutes
Via Ferrata: 3-5h (look at the info above)
Back to the park:  45 minutes

From Switzerland: From Monthey take the Morgins road. (Have your papers ready for a customs check.)

Continue on the D22 through Châtel to La Chapelle d’Abondance. On leaving the VILLAGE, just after the Novamat building, there is a pretty little church, and exactly 1.5 km from there you reach the via parking area on the right.

From France: From Thonon, take the Morzine road, then turn left on the D22. Go through Abondance and just after you reach the welcome sign for Chapelle d’Abondance, you’ll find the parking area on your left.

By Train

Contact   S.N.C.F.

Approach

From the parking area below the quarry, take the Sentier du Menhir (Obelix would be happy about that) through the woods towards Abondance.

Via Ferrata climbing

The via progresses up a steep exposed wall through a series of attractive rocky pitches made up of ledges, corners and overhangs.
It comprises three distinct sections: the Cabri, the Chamois and the Bouquetin. The difficulties increase as you advance.

The Cabri

is good practice for beginners and children but the following sections are another kettle of fish.
The numerous testing passages, equipped to a greater or lesser extent, in the second and third sections, should be tackled only by experienced or closely supervised via climbers.
The via ferrata is well named – Saix de Mioléne means “the rock in the middle of the valley”, in this case the Abondance valley. (ViaFerrata org learns a lot on its excursions.)

This central situation opens up some remarkable panoramas on the valley and its villages, and, contrariwise, the earthbound can watch the climbers from below!
Some features merit particular comment:
The Sentier du Menhir, path from the parking area to the base of the via, owes its name to the standing stone below the rock wall, used, ages ago, in druidic rites.

Pscheu de l’Orge, at the first escape exit, is so named, according to folklore, because when water starts to flow there, it is time to sow the barley (orge).
Traversée du Coucou is a magnificent slab with many small cavities in which cuckoos are supposed to have nested (if cuckoos do nest)

Section 2, the Chamois:
The Jardin de Miolène is an attractive but exposed grassy ledge. La Para Nero (or black wall) is a beautiful combination of passages in the rock. The Vionnet (or path) is the second escape route to the end of the via (avoiding the Bouquetin).

Section 3, the Bouquetin:
The Traversée des Poupées, impressively exposed, is a succession of rock barriers. The Mur du Saix Rouge is as testing and sublime as you could wish – with 200m of sheer drop under your feet!
 

Descent

45 minutes from the summit of the Bouquetin.
With many thanks to Samuelle K. for her help and cooperation.

Lodging - Hotel - Restaurant

Pictures

  

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