Via Ferrata Short Break in the Alps

Climb vertical cliffs, traverse wire bridges over gorges and zip down giant tyroleans as you explore the vertical world of the steep Alpine mountains in the southern French Alps! A veritable via ferrata fest! 

Holiday Summary:

The southern French Alps boasts the highest concentration of via ferratas in France and we have selected some of the best routes for you to discover and explore on this via ferrata short break! Find out more about via ferratas by reading our ultimate guide, what is a via ferrata?

You will climb the first ever French via ferrata built in 1988 in Freissinières through to the famous Grande Fistoire via ferrata with its giant tyrolean zip line descents on this trip. 

Your base for this holiday is the beautiful town of Gap, nestled in the heart of the southern French Alps on a large plateau surrounded by majestic mountains. This fabulous central location gives access to a wide range of via ferratas in the Alps and you'll be able to spend your evenings exploring the bars, restaurants and cafes spilling out onto pedestrianised squares decorated with fountains. 

Each morning your guide will come and collect you at your hotel and you'll go off for a day in the mountains exploring a different valley and selection of via ferratas.

Holiday Highlights:

• Experience a selection of the best via ferratas in the Alps in a weekend
• Small groups, quality experiences with maximum of 8 people per guide
• Explore a variety of landscapes from deep gorges to sheer cliff faces
• Climb on limestone and granite
• Safe and secure with a qualified guide at all times
• Discover the beautiful town of Gap, the capital of the southern French Alps!
• Travel with an ethical travel company

Who Will Love This Trip?

If you thrive on the adrenalin of a vertical challenge, you will absolutely love this trip! You don't need any previous experience of via ferratas to enjoy this trip but a head for heights is a must and any climbing experience is an advantage. You need a moderate to high level of fitness to be able to manage a full day out in the mountains climbing but this is a fun trip, not a military challenge. If you participate in any sport on a regular basis whether that be gym fitness, hill walking, running, climbing or football, you will be fine. Minimum age is 14.

Sustainable Tourism

To reduce our impact on the environment, we limit the group size to a maximum of 8 people and group transport in a modern minibus. 

We also stay in one accommodation base rather than moving each day reducing the impact from multiple linen washing and cleaning and also enhancing your comfort by not having to pack and unpack each day!

Your guide is a local guide from the area and both hotel options are locally owned, independent hotels so you can be sure your money is going straight back into the local economy. All our suppliers have signed our code of conduct for sustainable tourism to work with us. 

You will learn and discover first hand the culture and evolution of via ferrata in the mountains and will have an opportunity to see the wildlife living in the cliffs. 

We will also plant a tree on your behalf with our partners Mossy Earth to help offset your carbon footprint from this trip.

We have used Carmacal, a tool which calculates the Green House Gas (GHG) CO2 emissions for tourism products by combining emissions from flights and land transport, accommodation and activities. Please have a look at the summary below or read the full carbon footprint report.

Via Ferrata Short Break FAQs

Planning your first via ferrata trip? Here are answers to the questions people most often ask before booking this short break in the Alps.

What is a via ferrata?

A via ferrata is a protected climbing route equipped with steel cables, ladders, steps and sometimes bridges fixed to the rock. It allows you to explore cliffs and mountain terrain safely using a harness, helmet and via ferrata lanyard, without needing advanced climbing skills. Via ferrata routes vary in difficulty, so they can offer anything from an accessible first experience to a more challenging and exposed mountain adventure.

Is via ferrata safe?

Yes, via ferrata is safe when you use the proper equipment and follow the safety instructions. You stay attached to a continuous steel cable using a harness and a via ferrata lanyard designed to absorb the force of a fall. On our guided trips we provide all the specialist safety equipment and choose routes suited to the group and the conditions.

In addition, on some sections our guides may rope participants together in small groups as an extra back-up alongside the via ferrata lanyards. As with any mountain activity, there are still objective risks such as weather or loose rock, which is why good judgement, proper equipment and experienced guiding matter.

Do you need experience to do a via ferrata?

No previous climbing experience is needed for this trip, but you do need a head for heights. Via ferrata involves exposure on cliffs and rock faces, so you need to feel reasonably comfortable in that sort of environment.

This short break works well for beginners because the destinations we use offer a range of progressive routes, often with options to opt out before the more difficult passages or continue on to a harder section. That means the guide can manage different ability levels within the group without the trip feeling too easy for some or too intimidating for others.

The minimum age for this trip is 14. Families with younger children can try via ferrata from age 7 on our summer multi-activity holiday.

What equipment do you need for via ferrata?

To do a via ferrata safely, you need a harness, helmet and via ferrata lanyard with energy absorber and carabiners. On our trips, all essential specialist via ferrata safety equipment is provided by us, so you do not need to buy technical gear for the trip.

What should I wear or bring for a via ferrata?

Wear comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for mountain conditions and shoes with good grip, such as hiking shoes, trail shoes or approach shoes. You should also bring water, snacks, sun protection and a light extra layer in case of changing weather. Fingerless bike gloves can also be useful for comfort on the cables. For full details, see our via ferrata kit list.

What is the minimum age for this via ferrata trip?

The minimum age for this trip is 14. It is designed for adults and teenagers who are comfortable with a full day in the mountains and who have a head for heights. For families with younger children, we also offer via ferrata as a day activity from age 7 on our summer multi-activity holiday.

Itinerary

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Your trip is based in the town of Gap which is served by an SNCF train station with links to the major TGV train stations and airports.

From Gap train station, you can walk to the Mon Hotel accommodation option (about 5 - 10 minutes walk). 

WE OFFER A 3% DISCOUNT TO ANYONE TRAVELLING BY TRAIN INSTEAD OF PLANE TO GAP FROM OUTSIDE OF FRANCE. To claim your 3% discount, you will need to show us proof of train travel for routes of over 3 hours that could have been taken by plane. Please ask when you book.

BY TRAIN / BUS: 

There is a regular coach service which operates from Aix-en-Provence TGV directly to Gap. Plan your journey here

There are also direct train links to Gap from Grenoble TGV station and there is also an overnight sleeper train from Paris to Gap.

You can plan your train journey using the Oui SNCF website. This works from all major European cities.

BY PLANE:

The nearest airports are Marseille and Grenoble. From Marseille airport there is a regular coach service directly to Gap every two and a half hours.Plan your journey here. From Grenoble you would need to get the airport shuttle to the train station and then a train from Grenoble to Gap - this is a bit more faffy than the links from Marseille which are direct and regular.. 

Please ask us about transport options when you enquire as we have become pros on getting people to this beautiful region!