Luca In The Alps

🗺️ Hike Overview Starting point:  Le-Haut-de-la-Côte, 1050 m Highest point:  End of the via ferrata, 1120m Distance:  ~2.4 km round trip Elevation gain:  ~150 m Duration:  1h30 (loop) Difficulty:  K3 via ferrata Download GPS file Via ferrata di Tichodrome is special as It Is the only via ferrata in the Jura! It starts above Noiraigue on the other side of the cliff at the parking of the restaurant Le-Haut-de-la-Côte, 1050m. From there you go down the road towards Noirague (there is a shortcut in the woods) after crossing the road twice you climb in the forest for 5 min and there you are at the start of the via ferrata. N.B.: The via is closed from 01/01 to 30/06 as it is the period when the Tichodrome bird makes its nest! The entire via is nested along a rock ledge. It is not a difficult one, marked and K3. The most thrilling point is right at the center where there is a short but very exposed section. It takes about half an hour to arrive at the end where ...

Overview Start point : Pont de Nant (~1,240 m) Main goal : Via Ferrata Le Lavanchy (K4, ~70 m vertical gain) End point : Le Richard refuge (~1,380 m) Higest point : Top of via ferrata (~1,580 m) Elevation gain :   ~380 m Total duration : 2–3 hours Difficulty : Medium (due to exposed via ferrata and steep descent) Download GPS file This hike starts at Pont de Nant , a picturesque spot just above Plan-sur-Bex. Even though it’s only about 10 minutes from the Rhone valley, it feels completely immersed in nature. To reach the starting point, drive from Plan-sur-Bex for about five more minutes on a narrow road until you reach a parking area tucked into a beautiful alpine dip beneath the imposing Grand Muveran (3,051 m). The goal of today’s adventure is the Via Ferrata Le Lavanchy . Start by walking along the gravel road at the far end of the parking lot. Stay on this road for about 30 minutes. You’ll notice a trail branching off to the right, but skip it and continue forw...

This post includes a series of 3 hikes around Charmey. I always did them as separate ones but if you feel very very sporty you can also imagine joinging them. Gorges de Jogne Start point :  Parking near the bridge, 710m Destination : Barrage de Montsalvans, 800m Highest point : Destination Distance : ~2.1 km one way Elevation  gain : ~150 m Time : ~1h30 return Difficulty : Easy The start of this hike is in a parking that you can reach turning right just before the bridge at the bottom of the series of bends to go up to Charmey. From th ere a large path brings you to a series of galleries that makes a good start for the hike. It continues flat at first along the bed og the river with a series of bridges.  Finally you start to climb in the forest until you reach the artificial lake with its dam. It takes just 1h30 return and you find picnic tables at the end. Connecting to the next hike is possible but a bit long as it would require to go all around the lake to Charmey. Vou...

Overview Location: Saillon, near Martigny, Switzerland Difficulty Levels: Three sections with increasing difficulty (K3+, K4+, K6-) Total Duration: ~4 hours (3 hours if stopping after the second section) Elevation Gain: Approx. 350m Starting Point: Bains de Saillon parking Highlights: Suspended bridge, rope bridges, vertical walls, adventurous gallery Via Ferrata Farinetta is an exhilarating via ferrata route in Saillon, not far from Martigny. It caters to different skill levels as it is divided into three sections of increasing difficulty. I have completed it twice—once stopping at the second section and the second time completing all three. That last experience made me realize that K5 and above routes are not for me! Getting There I parked at Bains de Saillon, which offers a large parking area, though it requires a 20-minute walk to the start of the route. There are no closer parking options. From there, you must cross Saillon towards Les Moulins in the direction of the visibl...

Overview Location: Nax, Switzerland Difficulty: K4 (low K4) Starting point: 1000m End point: 1210m, Nax: 1299m Elevation Gain: ~220m  Duration: ~1h30 (2h with return) Key Features:  3 suspended bridges, smooth wall ascent, intermediate exit option, panoramic viewpoint Equipment Required: Harness, via ferrata set (2 carabiners), helmet, optional short rope for resting Download GPS file The via ferrata in Nax is definitely the one I have done the most times. It is rated K4, though on the lower end of that scale. Access and Starting Point If you already have your equipment, you can start directly from the bottom. One of the turns in the road leading up to Nax has a sign and a gravel road where you can park. From here, you're just below the village, and the via ferrata ascends the cliff in front of you. The starting point is at arount  1000m , and a few minutes walk from the road brings you to the panel marking the beginning. If you need to rent equipmen...

Overview Starting point : Champéry gondola parking (1,050m) Summit : Exit in the forest above the via ferrata (~1,350m) Altitude gain : ~400m Duration : ~3 hours round trip Difficulty : Medium Technical difficulty : Mid-High K3 (with a short K4 section) The via ferrata de la Tière is a challenging but accessible route for anyone who isn’t too afraid of heights. What makes it truly special is that it runs alongside a roaring waterfall , offering an exhilarating mix of climbing and breathtaking scenery. Getting to the Start We began at the Champéry gondola parking and walked back toward the valley. After a few minutes, we turned downhill at Chemin des Grands Champs , where the road goes downhill and transitions from asphalt to gravel. A couple of hundred meters later, we reached the information panels marking the start of the trail. From there, the approach trail climbs steadily through the forest for about 30-40 minutes before reaching the base of the via ferrata. Already at this ...