Description:
The route is long and so is the walk off but it offers amazing views and the chance to finish on a pointy rock summit, at a height of 2611m. This is a proper mountain via ferrata and you need to plan accordingly in relation to the weather, extra kit to take and dealing with potential for loose rock.
From the parking at the bridge on the N91 at le Pont de l’Alpe, follow the path up the hill. It zig zags near the waterfall then goes straight to the small hamlet of L’Alpe du Lauzet. There are some signs for the via ferrata; head straight up the valley until the sign directs you to the start.
The route climbs up on rungs a short way and then traverses mainly on thin rocky paths but with some climbing mixed in. There are some interesting climbing sections including an interesting descent. The route has been moved slightly as the old route suffered some damage from rock fall. The traverses end and it starts to climb upwards, with one section crossing a scree covered slope where there is no cable and care is needed, then a short climb to the summit.
Descent:
From the top head off the back on a well-trodden footpath; as it splits take the right-hand option. The footpath suffers from erosion and is a bit tricky. The path comes back round the cliff and down a zigzag path in a wide couloir. At the bottom turn right and follow a level path back under the cliff you climbed to return to L’Alpe du Lauzet (in summer months a nice place to stop for a drink) then back to the car.
