In the north of the Belledonne massif, on the border between Savoie and Isère, the Aiguilles de l'Argentière offer a superb setting for rock mountaineering above the Col du Glandon. Easily accessible from Chambéry, they allow you to discover a particularly varied high-mountain terrain in a single day: climbing, exposed ridges, dizzying sections and abseils. From Mont Blanc to the Écrins and the Meije, via the Étendard and the Aiguilles d'Arves, the 360-degree panorama is exceptional. Depending on your experience and desires, we can choose an introductory climb or a major rock traverse.
The Aiguilles de l’Argentière are a veritable playground for rock mountaineering. The proximity of the Col du Glandon allows for a relatively short approach from the car, while quickly providing access to a wild and exposed environment.
The routes combine ridge progression, climbing sections and abseils. Some sections are mainly traversed along the crest, while others involve actual climbing pitches up to French grade 5. The level of the outing is therefore highly variable and can be adapted to your experience.
At the start of the season, the snow patches still present at the foot of the ridges may require crampons and an ice axe. Later in the season, generally from mid-summer until autumn, the ridges are traversed on dry rock and offer particularly favourable conditions for rock mountaineering.
To the west of the Col de la Combe stand the Grandes Aiguilles de l’Argentière, themselves divided into two groups: the western needles and the eastern needles.
The full traverse of the Grandes Aiguilles is a major rock climb that is both long and sustained. After an approach of around 1.5 to 2 hours, you should allow nearly 6 hours on the ridges. The route is a succession of climbing sections, progression along an exposed ridge and abseils.
This is a genuine and complete mountaineering route, which constitutes an objective in itself as well as excellent preparation for more ambitious projects. Due to the length of the day, the continuous effort and the variety of the terrain, it is particularly useful for preparing for major alpine routes such as the Traverse of the Meije, without the constraint of altitude.
It is also possible to complete just the traverse of the Western Aiguilles or the Eastern Aiguilles, to enjoy a great day of rock mountaineering in a more accessible format than the full traverse.
To the east of the Col de la Combe are the Petites Aiguilles de l'Argentière.
The full crossing notably passes via Pointe Élisabeth and involves two pitches of climbing in the 5th grade. It is therefore aimed at climbers who are already comfortable with the 5th grade as a second, including in mountaineering boots.
It is a fine rock-climbing route, particularly interesting for a climber looking to prepare for more ambitious itineraries. In spirit, it offers terrain comparable to certain classic routes on the Aiguilles du Diable: mountain climbing, an exposed ridge and abseils.
For a first experience, the traverse of the Aiguille Capdepon, the easternmost of the Petites Aiguilles, allows you to discover the terrain without continuing as far as the climbing pitches of the Pointe Élisabeth. With its exposed ridge and two abseils, it makes an excellent introduction to rock mountaineering.
The appeal of the Aiguilles de l’Argentière lies in the ability to offer very different routes within the same area: an initial introduction to rock mountaineering, progression for a climber looking to improve, or a major traverse to prepare for an ambitious alpine project.
The choice of route depends on your experience, your climbing level, your physical condition and mountain conditions. Together, we will define the climb best suited to your project.
The Aiguilles de l’Argentière are located in the north of the Belledonne range, on the border between Savoie and Isère, just above the Col du Glandon. From Chambéry, it takes about a 1 hour 15 minute drive to reach the start of the route.
The massif is divided into two sectors, separated by the Col de la Combe.
To the west are the Grandes Aiguilles de l'Argentière, which comprise the western and eastern aiguilles. The complete traverse is a long and fine rock-climbing route, reserved for seasoned mountaineers. It is a good test for other long alpine routes.
For a more relaxed day trip, we generally prefer to traverse just one of the two massifs, in order to complete a half-traverse of the Grandes Aiguilles.
To the east of the col lie the Petites Aiguilles de l’Argentière. Their complete traverse includes two rock climbing pitches in the grade 5 range. However, it can be shortened to offer a more accessible introductory route.
The duration depends on the chosen route. The climbs range from a solid half-day of rock mountaineering for an introduction on the Petites Aiguilles to a full day for the complete traverse of the Grandes Aiguilles.
The complete traverse of the Aiguilles de l'Argentière (Petites + Grandes) is a fine, rarely accomplished challenge for experienced and fast mountaineers.
Not necessarily, but you need to be comfortable with heights and able to manage on rocky terrain, showing agility. Some traverses are accessible without any specific climbing experience and allow you to discover roped progression on a ridge, exposed sections and abseils.
The crossing of the Petites Aiguilles with the two pitches at grade 5, on the other hand, is aimed at climbers capable of seconding at this grade. For the Grandes Aiguilles, the climbing standard also depends on the chosen route.
The period runs from the opening to the closure of the Col du Glandon. At the start of the season, the remaining snow gives it a very alpine character, whereas from the middle of summer onwards, the approach and the ridges are dry, making them more accessible and easier.
Yes. The shortened traverse of the Petites Aiguilles, particularly on the Aiguille Capdepon, is a very good terrain for a first experience of rock mountaineering. It allows you to discover the main ingredients of a ridge route in a solid half-day or a short day: approach, roped progression, exposed sections and abseils.
There are several possibilities. The partial traverses of the Grandes Aiguilles make for a fine day of rock mountaineering without committing to the very long full traverse. The latter constitutes a significantly more demanding physical outing, with a long day and roughly six hours spent on the ridges.
Yes. The most complete traverses help to develop endurance, roped progression, mountain climbing, ridge traversing and abseils. They constitute an excellent training ground before more ambitious alpine routes.
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.
