Via Ferrata in the Verdon Gorges and around Castellane

The via ferrata or via cordata are routes established on rocky walls, intended to facilitate progression.

The practice of via ferrata or via corda is an activity that lies between hiking and climbing.

The equipment on via ferrata is metallic (cables, rungs, etc.), unlike that of via cordata, which is equipped with ropes—a difference that does not alter the style of progression but helps reduce the impact on the natural environment.

This sport involves moving through a vertical environment with complete safety. It is similar to a tree-top adventure in terms of the obstacles to overcome, except that it is practiced on a cliff rather than in a forest.

For more information on the skills required to practice this sport, we recommend consulting our « Prerequisites for registration ».

List of our via ferrata / via cordata:

To help you progress on these via ferrata / via cordata routes, several techniques will allow you to overcome various obstacles:

• Rappelling: This involves descending a vertical rock face using a rope. For this, you will be equipped with a harness (also called a safety belt) and a belay device to which the rope is attached. The height of the rappelling sections varies depending on the via ferrata / via cordata routes and can range from a few meters to several tens of meters high.
  The technical difficulty of rappelling also varies depending on whether you are in contact with the rock face or suspended in mid-air (a rappel known as “spider’s web”).
  Your instructor will perform the necessary rope handling to set up the rappel and will give you all the instructions to carry out the descent safely.
• Zip-lines: This is a rope descent system that allows you to cross ravines or jumps.
  This very fun technique requires the use of a harness and lanyards. Your instructor will set up the rope on the anchor points and provide you with the guidelines for a safe zip-line descent.
• Fun rope workshops will also be part of the program: suspension bridges, monkey bridges, free falls on rope, acrobatic jumps, aerial crossings on walkways… as well as passages through more confined areas (cave, hole in the cliff, gorges, etc.).
• During this outdoor activity, you will alternate between sections of climbing—assisted by the equipment fixed on the rock face—and sections of vertiginous, breathtaking hiking on trails or winding paths, always secured with your lanyards on the lifeline.

Via ferrata / via cordata, sometimes referred to as “adventure courses”, are practiced in the great outdoors on mountain ranges often preserved due to their exposure, surrounded by limestone cliffs where the fauna and flora are rich and varied. Our certified instructors are eager to introduce you to these wild places, all while respecting the environment that makes our PACA region and our Verdon Regional Natural Park so beautiful. You will enjoy an unforgettable panorama and an unrivaled view of the Verdon gorges.

We offer half-day or full-day routes, mainly in the Verdon gorges and the Grand Canyon of Verdon, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.

The routes are located between Lake Sainte-Croix (the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie) and Castellane (a Provençal village at the entrance to the Verdon gorges), around the small village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, near the Samson Corridor.

The technical difficulty varies depending on the chosen routes. This activity is accessible to everyone, whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced practitioner, regardless of your physical condition.

We will work together to find a route that meets your expectations, whether you are with family, among friends (bachelor party, bachelorette party, birthday, etc.) or as a couple, so you can enjoy this fun activity in a joyful and friendly atmosphere and experience an unforgettable adventure full of thrills and emotions, no matter your athletic level.

The specific equipment for practicing via ferrata / via cordata will be provided: helmet, harness equipped with lanyards and auto-locking carabiners, belay device, and pulley.

You should bring sportswear (clothes in which you feel comfortable), a pair of sneakers (sports shoes), a small backpack, a water bottle, and a picnic (for full-day outings).

Our primary goal is your safety, and our main desire is to share our passion for the great outdoors with you for an unforgettable day full of thrills in our natural park and our beautiful region.

For this reason, it is important that we discuss our activities with you before making a reservation, so that we can propose a route adapted to your level, your desires, and your geographic area. It is not possible to book directly through our website, and this is intentional on our part, as it allows us to communicate with you and guide you toward a via ferrata / via cordata route that suits you.

These communications can take place by phone (+33(0)6 88 40 09 33) or by email (contact.olimpide@gmail.com / Contact Form).

You are about to experience an adventure; you are not purchasing a product. That is our vision, and it is in this spirit that we wish to offer you a program that suits you!

There is no such thing as a stupid question; we invite you to contact us for any information or any questions.