We spent the last few days of our holiday exploring the via ferratas of the River Arc Valley. Yesterday we went to Fort Victor-Emmanuel in Aussois, where there is the highest concentration of via ferrata in France!
We started off with Via Ferrata du Diable. This VF started on the cliffs below the fort. It was fairly easy going and provided great views towards Avrieux and its huge wind tunnel facility (where they can reach wind speeds up to mach 6!).
After about 30 minutes, the VF led us around the wall of the fort and through one of the gun ports in the wall!
The route then continued in the port and out of another gun port before continuing along the edge of the fort.
Before the route finished, it incorporated a nice bridge underneath the fort’s drawbridge!
After completing this VF, we played on another one in the canyon next to the fort and explored the forts before walking back to Modane (past the wind tunnel facility and the array of objects, e.g. aeroplane wings and hydrofoils that had been tested in the tunnel).
On our final day in France, we went to the Val Frejus resort up the hill from Modane, where we knew there was another VF. We found it with ease given that the tourist information were of little help, and we were soon on the case. This VF is probably around 600 m long and sited within a deep gorge. The VF crosses the gorge multiple times and gives great views of the thundering waterfalls.
The route started with a bridge and then a steep climb up on the cliff face.
After this the route became rather overhanging and committing, e.g. hanging on with one hand whilst needing to move VF gear with the other. I called to Richard that he might not like it, so he took the easier route, whilst I quickly made progress in the hope that my arms wouldn’t give up first. All worked out ok, and I reached the next bridge, which looked down on one of the waterfalls.
Richard rejoined me for the next section, which passed over numerous bits of steep cliffs and wire bridges.
After about 60 minutes, we reached the end of the route and ate jaffa cakes :-).
After the VF, we walked up the mountain (for about 2 hours) and admired the flowers and views from the top, before heading down to Norma Village, where Richard had promised ice cream (it was good ice cream too!).
Tomorrow we’ll be in Turin and then we’re heading home to pick the remains of the greengages and eat the masses of veggies that have hopefully been growing whilst we’ve been away :-).
Looks exciting… the three wire bridge and the one that goes over the water falls look like fun, and definitely not for the faint hearted. 😯 😯 😯