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Via ferrata du Diable - Descent into Hell and Ascent into Purgatory
Steep descent to the bottom of the gorges of Arc bit difficult, which is growing to become athletic just before the impressive Gateway of Hell. The rise in Purgatory rises in a beautiful wall and ends along the cascade of Nant.
Description
This superb route starts from the "batteries basses" of Fort Victor-Emmanuel. The finish is on the other side of the gorge, at the Redoute Marie-Thérèse. You'll descend into the gorge, cross the river, then climb up the wall to exit along a waterfall!
From Fort Victor-Emmanuel, slide into the cannon mouth, then take the cable that runs alongside the fort for around 50 metres. You then follow a path down to the left. The path loses its cable and you continue down to a cliff below (don't take the path to the right, which leads to another route: the vertiginous via ferrata des Rois Mages).
The 1st section, "La Descente aux Enfers" (south face - remember to bring a good supply of water), takes a downward slope that joins a vertical wall, with a slight incline that's tricky to descend, to gain a foothold on the beautiful "Passerelle des Enfers". This pretty footbridge takes you across the Arc to the river's left bank.
Part 2: "La Montée au Purgatoire" (north face). Cross to the right through a beautiful quartzite wall to reach a small hanging forest (rest, picnic possible). Then comes the last large wall along the Cascade du Nant, with a slope at the end of the route in the spray from the waterfall.
Total length: 450 m (+ 350 m of trails)
Grading: D+ (difficult)
Duration: 1h30 to 3 h
Start: lower batteries of Fort Victor-Emmanuel
Difference in altitude: negative 170 m, positive 120 m
Height: 100 m
La Descente aux Enfers et la Montée au Purgatoire is the longest of the 7 Via Ferrata du Diable routes, which stretch between the Esseillon forts and the vertiginous Arc gorges, at the foot of the Aussois and La Norma resorts.
Equipment
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Public WC
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Parking nearby
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Via ferrata
Environments
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Mountain location
Rates
Free access.
Opening period
From 01/01 to 31/12.
Depending on weather conditions.
Via ferrata are not accessible in bad weather and especially in strong wind, rain, thunderstorm, frost or snow.
Subject to favorable weather.
Additional opening
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Subject to favorable weather
Animals
Pets allowed : No
