Via ferrata le P’tchi: A beautiful aerial route above Chambéry, featuring engaging passages and magnificent panoramas.
Situated above the village of Saint-Jean-d'Arvey, the P'tchi via ferrata offers a varied and progressive itinerary, perfect for discovering the sensations of heights in a wild setting.
After an approach walk of about an hour through a pleasant forest, we reach the start. The route begins with a 20-metre vertical wall, followed by a second rise and a high traverse to the right. Overhanging sections and a 10-metre dihedral lead you to a wide, comfortable grassy ledge. Next, a long traverse to the left alternates between technical and physical sections with more restful portions.
An impressive staircase leads to «Carret's Eye», a natural cavity offering a superb viewpoint and an ideal place to take a break.
The rest of the route includes vertiginous and overhanging sections leading to the Sappey footbridge, a suspended crossing of over 30 metres (optional, an escape route allows this section to be avoided). From there, we can choose to continue on the P’tchi route, with two balance beams and a final technical and athletic jump, or take a detour towards the Jules's Ledge. This leads to the Grotte à Carret via ferrata, a route rated ED (extremely difficult) and very exposed. All options eventually converge at the Rocher de Charvettan viewpoint, the highest point of this climb.
This is an accessible but challenging route, offering great vertical immersion with breathtaking views of the Chambéry basin and Mont Granier.
The route is rated AD+ (Assez Difficile +). It includes vertical sections and some physical and aerial passages, but remains accessible to sporty people who are comfortable with sports at height.
This is not compulsory if you are self-sufficient and well equipped. On the other hand, for a first experience or to improve your safety and technique, a qualified guide is strongly recommended.
Allow around 1 hour for the approach walk, 2 to 2 and a half hours depending on which option you choose, and 45 to 1 hour for the descent along the return path.
No, it's optional. An escape route allows you to bypass it and complete the route more leisurely.
It is possible to do a full day together, continuing with the descent of the Ternèze canyon. Nearby, it's easy and great fun, with a series of jumps and slides that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities.
On a via-ferrata, it's unpleasant to be too cold, too hot or too wet. Apart from these conditions, the activity can be enjoyed all year round!
Live with your guide, from first contact to the summit.
Creative and flexible
A flexible framework for devising the most appropriate itinerary or activity for each day, depending on the group and the conditions.
