Climbing Hautes Alpes

What is climbing?

Climbing consists of moving along a wall to reach the top.

There are many different types of climbing surface (artificial walls or natural cliffs) and many different types of practice. They range from low-lying boulders (requiring no special insurance) to small cliffs of around 30 metres to major routes on vertiginous walls several hundred metres long.

• The playground for climbers is many and varied.
• It’s an activity that develops great physical, mental and social qualities.
• It’s open to all, and everyone will find their own style and path.

Accompanied by a qualified instructor, set off on a long route to perfect your footing technique and sharpen your mental skills on the crags. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, aged 6 and over, a fan of one-length routes or long flights of over 300 metres, we’ll help you discover the magic of limestone slabs.

Where can you go climbing if you’re a beginner?

• The school cliffs (called “couenne” in the jargon) for beginners or advanced climbers:

There’s nothing like a cliff school for discovering this exhilarating activity, which allows you to climb walls of between 10 and 30 metres in complete safety. Your climbing companion will hold you in place in the event of a fall, using the rope, harness and various karabiners. Then, to return to terra firma, all you have to do is sit in the harness and your partner on the ground will bring you back down by gently braking the rope.

Sessions at the end of the day will enable you to familiarise yourself with all the basic techniques and push back your physical and mental limits.

• Bouldering gyms, also known as indoor climbing gyms, allow you to develop your climbing skills on indoor climbing walls equipped with bouldering holds, grouped into routes of multiple levels (ratings), divided by colour, with slopes of varying inclinations, and large mats on the ground.

The routes change regularly. Ideal for beginners, advanced climbers, those who want to hone their skills or keep their skills up to date.

The big plus: they are open in summer and winter, are located in the town centre and offer a safe environment with minimal equipment. Ropes and harnesses are provided, so all you need is sportswear and a pair of slippers (which can be hired on site). Easy, flexible and practical!

The most famous climbing sites in the Hautes Alpes

Our Bureau des Guides offers star-rated climbing trips from Gap, in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes. On request, we can organise outings in other Dauphiné valleys. Don’t hesitate to ask.

• In the Briançon area: Ailefroide (3a to 8a), Arsine (3a to 8a), Entraygue (6a to 9a), la Grande Falaise (Freissinières / 5a to 8c), l’Atelier (6b to 8a+), le Fournel (4b to 9a), le Rif d’Oriol (5b to 8b), le Rocher des Brumes (7a to 9a), les Cerces (5c to ED).
• In the Guillestrois Queyras: la Saume (Ceillac / 6a to 8c), le pudding de Mont-Dauphin (3 faces / 4c to 8b)
• In Devoluy: le Pieroux (3 to 6c+), les Gicons (3c to 8a)
• In the Buëch: the limestone cliff at Céüze (5a to 9a+)
• On Serre-Ponçon: la Rochette (4a to 7b)
• In the Gapençais: the Dalle de Gleize (4+ to 6a+)