(See the equivalents ratings at the end if this section.)
Valleys and mountains around Praz
Le Val d'Arly
The Aravis range
Chamonix Valley
Arve Valley
Annecy area
Le Val d'Arly
Lady (Megève, à 4 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1400 m
Number of routes: 34
Height : de 20 à 40 m
Approach : 15 mn
Difficulty : from 2 to 7b
Comment : the rock is unusual and very steep (shale and limestone). Very damp; the cliff takes a whole day to dry out after rain. The foot of the cliff is quite steep. Not for children!
Topo: Middle Valley of the Arve
Médonnet (Combloux, 10 km from Praz)
Altitude: 800 m
Number of routes : 60
Height : from 2 to 5 m
Approach : 5 mn
Difficulty : from 4 to 8a
Comment : only blocks (about fifty - Gneiss). All levels. Rating: Fontainebleau type.
Topo: Middle Valley of the Arve
In Praz-sur-Arly, a climbing wall (Plaine des Belles). Click here for more details.
The Aravis range
This is only a general summary; there are many other cliffs in this vast range. Adventure lovers will also find plenty of challenges in this region.
Col des Aravis (La Clusaz, à 15 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1500 m
Number of routes: 97
Height : 30 à 80 m
Approach : 10 mn
Difficulty : from 3 to 7c
Comment : One of the most beautiful limestone cliffs in the region. Numerous and varied routes for all levels. Beautiful view.
Topo: Aravis Massif
La Colombière (Grand Bornand, à 40 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1800 m
Number of routes: 53
Height : 20 à 60 m
Approach : 25 mn
Difficulty : from 4b to 7c
Comment : Another beautiful limestone cliff, with even more beautiful scenery. Apart from the nice routes, you might even see mountain goats or marmots at the bottom of the cliff.
Topography: Aravis Massif
La Culaz (Grand Bornand, à 35 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1500 m
Number of routes: 43
Height : 10 à 25 m
Approach : 5 mn
Difficulty : from 3b to 7c+
Comment : moderate level, perfect for beginners, with difficult climbs around the top. Beautiful limestone and well-equipped routes.
Topo: Aravis Massif
Chamonix Valley
The capital of Alpine sports is a huge reservoir of climbing routes. We only mention a few schools, but others exist. The Chamonix Valley Topo catalogues 23 different sites...
Servoz (Servoz, à 20 km de Praz)
Altitude: 820 m
Number of routes: 30
Height : 20 à 45 m
Approach : 0 mn
Difficulty : from 3 to 7b
Comment : Small shale wall which is interesting because of its two-length routes. The level rarely exceeds the 5th degree.
Topo: Chamonix Valley
Les Gaillands (Chamonix, à 30 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1000 m
Number of routes: 130
Height : 10 à 70 m
Approach : 0 mn
Difficulté : de 3 à 7a
Difficulty : from 3 to 7a
Comment : This school, which is the most famous of the valley, offers all kinds of climbing on Gneiss, thanks to the large area it covers. But watch out - the routes closest to the car park are often very slippery! A nice park and lake make it a pleasant family outing.
Topo: Chamonix Valley
La Joux (Argentière, à 40 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1100 m
Number of routes: 52
Height : 6 à 70 m
Approach : 5 mn
Difficulty : from 3 to 8a
Comment : A beautiful cliff hidden behind a small wood. There is something for every level and the Gneiss is less worn than at the Gaillands. A must!
Topo: Chamonix Valley
Arve Valley
It is hardly surprising that there are many climbing possibilities in this wide valley surrounded by high cliffs. From Bonneville to Contamines, there are 44 possible sites. A lot of adventure playgrounds, but also beautiful climbing schools only a few kilometres away from Praz sur Arly.
Le Fayet (St Gervais, à 13 km de Praz)
Altitude: 600 m
Number of routes: 42
Height : 50 m
Approach : 0 à 5 mn
Difficulty : from 3c to 7a+
Comment : Two shale cliffs. The one at the bottom is essentially reserved for beginners. On the contrary, the very sloped one at the top (which makes it possible to climb even in the rain) is quite physically challenging.
Topo: Middle Arve Valley
Larse (Passy, à 25 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1400 m
Number of routes: 13
Height : 10 à 25 m
Approach : 5 mn
Difficulty : from 4b+ to 6b
Comment : This is no doubt one of the most beautiful limestone rock faces in the region. Moreover, the view of the Mont-Blanc is magnificent. Most of the routes rate 5c/6a. It's a pity that there are not more of them! Avoid daytime climbing when it's hot because of the full south exposure.
Topo: Middle Arve Valley
La Duchère (Les Contamines, à 15 km de Praz)
Altitude: 1300 m
Number of routes: 51
Height : 15 à 140 m
Approach : 0 à 20 mn
Difficulty : from 3b to 7c
Comment : Not very steep Gneiss, with many easy to intermediate routes.
Topo: Middle Arve Valley
Malsaire (Mt Saxonnex, à 45 km de Praz)
Altitude: 900 m
Number of routes: 50
Height : 15 à 30 m
Approach : 5 mn
Difficulty : from 4c to 8b
Comment : Nice limestone face in the heart of the forest. Very pleasant and enjoyable for intermediate level climbers as well as for 7/8 amateurs.
Topo: Middle Arve Valley
Annecy region
This charming town has beautiful scenery, above all its lake. Enjoy the view while climbing the cliffs in the area. There are numerous sites, even if many are worn by large numbers of city-dwelling climbers. Below are two cliffs we visited for you. Don't forget the Biclop above Annecy ; it’s the city’s best-known site (Topo: Lac d'Annecy 1).
Dalle de Duingt (Duingt, à 60 km de Praz)
Altitude: 500 m
Number of routes: 22
Height : 10 à 40 m
Approach : 0 mn
Difficulty : from 3 to 6c
Comment : Much appreciated for the view on the lake and because there is no approach walk. The bicycle path runs along side it. Bicycle lovers, take note!
Topo: Lac d'Annecy 2
La Grande Jeanne (Annecy, à 75 km de Praz)
Altitude: 600 m
Number of routes: 50
Height : 15 à 30 m
Approach : 5 mn
Difficulty : from 4c to 7b
Comment : All kinds of climbing possibilities are available here. A refurbishing is in process. Children will enjoy the public park and its animals.
Topo : Lac d'Annecy 2
Equivalents of international climbing ratings
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