Via ferrata in Savoie
In short
Five via ferratas are worth the trip in Savoie, from the most accessible to the sportiest: Les Bettières near the Vanoise National Park, Les Bourtes in La Plagne, La Fraîche via ferrata in Pralognan-la-Vanoise with its zip lines, the Lac de la Rosière route suitable for families from age nine, and the Roc de la Tovière in Val d'Isère for the most experienced.
Key takeaways
- Les Bettières: three sections of increasing difficulty, Nepalese bridge, view of the Vanoise, about twenty minutes from the campsite, two and a half hours per route.
- Les Bourtes (La Plagne): intermediate level, rocky route with cables, ladders and zip lines, about an hour and a half plus a forty-five-minute approach walk.
- La Fraîche and zip line (Pralognan-la-Vanoise): short but intense, rope bridge over a waterfall, four zip lines, about forty minutes from the campsite.
- Lac de la Rosière (Méribel): beginner route from age nine, Nepalese bridge, about three hours.
- Roc de la Tovière (Val d'Isère): three parts from beginner to seasoned athlete, footbridges and exposed slabs, an hour from the campsite, about three hours for the full route.
Fancy trying new sensations? For your next getaway, we are heading for Savoie and its via ferratas. Routes that are each as exciting as the next await you there.
With patience and a minimum of fitness, you will complete them with flying colours! In today's guide, we list our favourite via ferratas in Savoie. But before setting off on your adventure, take a few minutes to book at the Eden de la Vanoise campsite. It will be the ideal starting point for the routes we are about to discover together. Here is our top selection.
Les Bettières via ferrata
This via ferrata in Savoie is at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park. You will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the valley.
Adventurers will find three sections of different levels (from fairly easy to difficult). Beginners can discover via ferrata on the first section and stop there. The others will enjoy the Nepalese bridge, the overhangs and the slightly technical side of the route. In total, the via ferrata with its 3 sections takes 2 h 30 per route. The site is about 20 minutes from the Eden de la Vanoise campsite.
Les Bourtes via ferrata
This route is in La Plagne. About 20 km (30 min) from our campsite, you will enjoy a wonderful view of the landscape once you arrive. The site offers an extraordinary view that you can admire with family or friends despite the intermediate level.
It includes a rocky route with cables, ladders, a rope bridge and zip lines. Allow about 1 h 30, plus a 45-minute walk to reach the via ferrata.
La Fraîche via ferrata and zip line
Another route you absolutely must try in Savoie, in the municipality of Pralognan-la-Vanoise. Short but intense, it is well worth the trip with its rope bridge over a waterfall. The playful return with its 4 zip lines lets you fully enjoy the idyllic setting for a unique experience.
Allow about 40 minutes to reach the start of the route from our campsite.
La Rosière via ferrata
Discover the Lac de la Rosière on this route, in Méribel, about 38 km (35 min) from our campsite. Perfectly suited to beginners from age 9, this introductory via ferrata offers thrills while remaining very playful. An ideal family outing around the lake and across a Nepalese bridge.
Allow about 3 hours to complete the site.
Roc de la Tovière via ferrata
Here again, you will need to be fit and fairly experienced to complete the whole via ferrata. However, it has three parts: the first suited to children and beginners, the second to intermediate climbers and the last to seasoned athletes. The site is in Val d'Isère, an hour from our campsite. Children will enjoy the footbridge and climbing a pillar, before returning along a forest path. For the most athletic, the rest of the route becomes more exposed, with footbridges and slabs.
Allow about 3 hours to complete the whole site.
Sébastien’s tipNever set off without a certified helmet and harness: most sites rent them on site if you do not have your own. Choose the route according to the group's fitness rather than the mood of the moment, some sections become tiring quickly, especially with young children on the beginner circuits.