Vire des lavandières via ferrata (Crolles)

Description

Important: the "Vire des lavandières" via ferrata in Crolles is closed until further notice.

Located in the village of Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet in Isère and in the Chartreuse massif, the via ferrata of the "vire des lavandières" overlooks the town of Crolles and the Grésivaudan valley. All along the way, it offers a breathtaking atmosphere and an exceptional panorama of the Belledonne massif on the other side of the valley. Technically easy, this route nevertheless requires a good level of fitness.

The departure is from the arrival station of the funicular which allowed paragliders to go up to the take-off area of Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet. After half an hour of descent on a path, you are at the start of the via. The route starts with the "belvedere pillar", a succession of vertical walls that allow you to quickly gain height and that go to the foot of the Saint-Hilaire waterfall. We can take a break at this place to then join the crossing of the washerwomen which will lead you in one hour and a half at the top of the route. The atmosphere is very vertiginous and the itinerary continues with an ascending traverse always to the right and with some slight overhangs. Before reaching the top of the cliff, we go left on the "chemin de ronde" which leads to the "échelle des Maquisards" (ladder built during the WWII and which allowed the resistance fighters to hide), last difficulty before reaching the plateau of the Petites Roches.

For other vertical adventures in the region, I also suggest:

• the urban via ferrata of the "Prises de la Bastille" in Grenoble,
• the challenging "Grand dièdre" via ferrata in Crolles,
• the via ferrata at the Sautet dam,
• the Cascade via ferrata at the foot of Taillefer,
• the P'tchi via ferrata above Chambéry
• or its neighbor, the "Grotte à Carret" via ferrata.

Program

• Meeting point in Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet on the Petites Roches plateau, about 30 minutes drive from Grenoble or Chambéry.
• 30 minutes walk to reach the start of the via.
• About 3 hours to climb the via ferrata.
• 5 minutes walk back to the parking lot.
• Positive difference in altitude: 300 meters.

The price includes

• Supervision by the climbing instructor.
• Equipment necessary to the practice of the activity: harness, via ferrata lanyards with energy absborber, helmet, quickdraws, rope.
• Insurance.
• Photos!

The price does not include

• Return transport to the village of Saint-Hilaire-du-Touvet.
• Snacks.
• Drinks.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

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