Gain height, change perspective
At Puy Saint Vincent, you can also experience the mountains vertically. Here, you don't just walk: you climb, you soar, you gain height to discover the landscape in a different way.
Accessible cliffs, playful via ferrata, tree-climbing... the possibilities are numerous and adapted to all levels. And for those who want to go further, the doors of the Écrins massif open onto more challenging adventure terrain.
Whether you're a curious beginner or a thrill-seeker, these experiences let you explore the mountains from a different angle.
Accrobranche: take to the heights with Forêt Sensation
For a more playful approach to heights, accrobranche is a safe bet. Located 2,000m up from the Télécombi des Prés, Forêt Sensation offers several tree courses suitable for all ages. You'll move from platform to platform, between zip lines, suspension bridges and various workshops. All in a pleasant forest setting, shaded by larch trees.
This is an ideal family activity. Children become more independent, while adults rediscover their playful side. Everyone progresses at their own pace, in complete safety. Easy to get to from the resort, accrobranche is a perfect addition to a day's activities, complementing a hike or a more sporting outing.
Via ferrata: the balance between hiking and climbing
Via ferrata is an excellent way to discover the vertical without any previous experience. Equipped and secured, you progress along the cliff face, between rungs, footbridges and aerial passages.
In Puy Saint Vincent, two complementary routes await you.
The via ferrata de la Combe is ideal for beginners. Fun and accessible, it follows a pleasant natural environment, often close to the water. Perfect for families, it allows you to gain confidence while enjoying the surroundings .
The more aerial Tournoux via ferrata offers a more immersive experience. Set on a beautiful limestone cliff, it offers unobstructed views over the valley and the Écrins massif . Some passages are more vertical, but remain accessible with a good guide .
If you're looking for something different, there are several via ferrata within easy reach of the valley: Les Vigneaux, Pelvoux, Freissinières and the Durance gorges. Each offers a different atmosphere, from family-friendly to more challenging.
Via ferrata routes
Climbing: from beginners to major routes
Around Puy Saint Vincent, you can discover climbing gradually. There are several small sites in the commune where you can take the first steps, learning the basics and becoming familiar with the rock.
The Tournoux area completes this offer with a more vertical atmosphere. The limestone cliffs offer a variety of accessible yet challenging routes. You climb facing the valley, with a great feeling of exposure.
The playground quickly expands. Within a few minutes' drive, the Vallouise valley abounds with renowned sites, suitable for all levels. And for those who want to go even further, Ailefroide becomes a reference point.
This hamlet, in the heart of the Écrins massif, is one of France's leading climbing centers. Here you'll find climbing schools, boulders and, above all, long routes that can reach several hundred meters . It's the ideal place to progress, challenge yourself, or simply discover verticality in the heart of nature.
Mountaineering: heading for the Ecrins
If verticality appeals to you, it's hard not to look to the summits. Just a few minutes from Puy Saint Vincent, Ailefroide is one of the major departure points for mountaineering in the Southern Alps.
Situated at the foot of the Pelvoux, this hamlet provides access to mythical itineraries. From here, you can reach glaciers, refuges and major high-altitude routes, notably around the Barre des Écrins, which peaks at over 4,000 metres.
Mountaineering requires specific preparation. It's advisable to be accompanied by a guide, especially if you're just starting out. But even if you're not aiming for a summit, the site's ambience is well worth the detour.
Between forests, torrents and granite walls, Ailefroide is a place apart. A meeting point for hikers, climbers and mountaineers, where the mountain takes on a more committed dimension.
