Climbing is one of Grenoble's guilty pleasures!
So do what they do and come and lift off through sheer hard work: open-air climbing schools, equipped routes overlooking the city: you’ll know harnesses and carabiners inside out!
Via ferrata
In Grenoble, you can overlook the city from a cliff.
The Via Ferrata de la Bastille is the perfect way to unwind after a long day at work, have a good time, challenge yourself and/or get away from it all, without having to travel several kilometres.
" Les prises de la Bastille "
route includes 3 main sections over a length of 950m. The first section starts with an impressive monkey bridge, but don't panic, the rest of the route is easier. The second part is more physical, but there are a number of ways out. Finally, the last section is a short one to round off the route in style. Whatever the case, you can be sure of sensations and wow-factors.
A new way to discover the region
Put on your harness and helmet and enjoy the thrills!
About thirty kilometres from Grenoble, other Via Ferrata await you. The Alpe du Grand Serre, a nature resort at the gateway to the Oisans region, has two routes: the Via Ferrata de la Cascade and the Via Ferrata Grand Bec . In Chamrousse, fly high on the Via Ferrata 3 Fontaines and Lacs Robert . Elles sont accessibles en télécabine ou à pied, depuis la station (2h de marche).
Approved mandatory individual equipment
- A climbing helmet (adjusted to the correct size),
A climbing harness (preferably padded),
A double via ferrata lanyard fitted with two carabiners and an energy absorber,
A pair of light hiking boots.
For your comfort, you can add a short quickdraw to go along the rungs in case of severe fatigue + a small pair of gloves.
Cliff climbing
Grenoble, a city in the heart of the Alps... The practice of climbing is the perfect illustration of this maxim, in fact the first climbing sites are 15 minutes by tram from the city center.
As with Via Ferrata, the climbing routes offer different levels of difficulty, suitable for beginners and/or experts of any age.
Outdoors, to climb the peaks of the Alps
In the 4 corners of Grenoble, more than 110 climbing sites are set up.
A selection of sites:
- Les Deux-Sœurs (à Vif) are two peaks (Agathe and Sophie) separated by a path. Col des Deux-Sœurs is ideal for climbing enthusiasts.
- The Rochers de Comboire (in Claix), on the outskirts of Grenoble, is an area where the greatest local climbers have trained.
- The cliffs of Lake Besson (in Alpe d'Huez) offer two climbing sites: Les Rochers des Plates for beginners and the Falaise du Lac Besson for the more expert.
- The Bouldering Site - Le Grand Sablat (in Clavans-en-Haut Oisans) presents, in addition to its panoramic view, several boulders on flat areas.
- The Vallon de la Fauge (in Villard-de-Lans) has different sectors allowing beginners and experienced climbers alike.
Indoor, to have fun in all seasons
Climbing even in winter? In Grenoble it's possible! Different climbing gyms, each with their own specialities, are open all year round for the greatest pleasure of climbers or to discover new sensations.
Check out the list of climbing gyms in Grenoble Alpes
Individual equipment for nature climbing:
- A climbing helmet (adjusted to the right size),
- A chalk bag
- Climbing shoes
- A harness
- Strings (single, double, static, semi-static, twin, etc.)
- Carabiners and quickdraws
- A belay system
