Climbing guidebook for crags around Grenoble (Alps)
Climbing around Grenoble
For the climber, Grenoble is perfectly located, at the crossroads of the limestone massifs of Vercors, Chartreuse and Belledonne. The crags span from the urban sites suitable for the climbing session just after work to multi-pitch routes in high altitude; there is something for everyone and at all levels.
We offer digital guidebooks of sport crags and multi-pitch routes equipped by the bolter association ECI team members. These sites are targeting a wide audience of climbers and are therefore not too elitist.
All the profits generated from the sale of OmegaRoc guidebooks for the Grenoble region are used for the maintenance and equipping of the local climbing sites.
The digital guidebook La Petite Corse
This guidebook consists of 35 multi-pitch routes and a small sport crag on the heights of Chamrousse.
La Petite Corse is a paradise for modest and/or pleasure-seeking climbers who prioritize enjoyable climbing. The gradings are accessible, and even when it becomes harder, the generous bolting keeps the mandatory grading at 5c and never beyond 6a!
Climbing here doesn’t make you a hero, but heroes are welcome!
Most routes span from 3 to 5 pitches, and the logical connections between the lower and upper cliffs allow for up to 300m of climbing, with a short connection walk accross the large median ledge.
A natural area at the doorstep of Grenoble
La Petite Corse is located on the heights of the Romanche Valley, providing an unobstructed view of the peaks of the Ecrins and Vanoise massifs. The climbing site is a stone’s throw from the city but far from its noise and disturbances. Here, you climb under the curious gaze of abundant wildlife. The chamois and ibex find us rather clumsy on the approach paths, while the bearded vultures circle dreamily, hoping for a meal that, thanks to the generous bolting on the routes, is always denied to them.
The cliffs around Grenoble – digital guidebooks
We here present the guidebooks for crags equipped by the association of route bolters ECI and the association Asso Topos Cambon.
The climbing guide collection around Grenoble available on the OmegaRoc webapp is gradually expanding.
The crags equipped by the ECI suit a large audience of climbers, avoiding an overly elitist approach. This association bolts and maintains many climbing sites around Grenoble and throughout Isère.
By creating and selling the well-known Cambon guidebooks, The Asso Topos Cambon association funds the bolting and re-bolting of crags and multi-pitch routes in the regions covered by these topos.
The following digital guidebooks are already available:
Note: The sites are only available individually.
GRENOBLE
Chez Roger et chez Yvette
42 routes – predominant difficulty level: from 6a to 6c and from 7b to 7c+ – 3.00€
This site is well shaded in the afternoon, making it perfect for spring and summer. It is divided into two distinct crags:
Chez Roger: Technical climbing on slabs and walls. Many routes in the 6s, and around ten in the 7s.
Chez Yvette, very close by, is a paradise for 6th-grade routes, including some overhanging lines.
Route height: mostly between 20 and 25 metres.
Pont de Vence
51 routes – predominant difficulty level: from 5c to 7b – 3.00€
Close to town but away from its noise, the Pont de Vence cliff stays in the shade until around 1:30–2:00 pm in summer.
With many less than vertical routes full of holds, climbers at grade 5 and 6 will be well served. On the large central wall, the climbing is much more technical and will satisfy those climbing in the 7th grade.
Route height ranges from 15 to 40 metres.
Pont Charvet
63 routes – predominant difficulty level: from 6c to 7c – 5.00€
Pont Charvet is the ideal summer cliff (north-facing) for climbers between grade 6+ and 7. The climbs are very long (up to 50m) on a very steep, yet well-sculpted, rock. Don’t rush, there’s enough space for everyone.
Note: The left part of the cliff can be climbed also in rainy weather… before the seepage appears.
Désert de l’Ecureuil
68 routes – predominant difficulty level: 6a/7a – 5.00 €
The site is divided into 3 sectors: Roc du Bagne, L’Histoire sans fin, and Les Travaux d’Hercule.
Facing southwest, this cliff is ideal during the shoulder seasons.
Climbing is very pumpy and requires a good route reading except for the left part of the crag where climbing is more technical.
This crag demanded a lot of work to clean it of loose rocks and to reinforce some holds with Sika glue.
Saint Paul de Varces
90 routes – predominant difficulty level: from 6b+ to 7c – 4.00€
This long south-facing crag is perfect for the shoulder season. The routes are long and airy at various inclination (slab, vertical and overhang) embellished with a few tufas.
The cliff is divided into eight sectors: Tous Bourrins, Sex Saint-Paul, Saint Paul Spot, Seconds couteaux, Polenta, Sous la Vire, La Vire du Silence, and Le Stagiaire.
Narbonnes
63 routes – predominant difficulty level: from 6b to 8b – 3.00€
The Narbonne cliff offers a wide range of climbing styles, with an exceptional view over the Grenoble valley. The sector Narbonne Plage is perfect for climbers at grade 6a+/6b, while the two other sectors are more suited to very strong climbers, with a high concentration of routes in the 7c to 8b range.
Some routes reach up to 45 metres!
The cliff is divided into three sectors: Narbonne plage, Narbonne plage 2.0 and Canal historique.
Pied Frais
26 routes – predominant difficulty level: from 6a to 6b – 3.00€
Facing west, the crag is perfect for the mid-season, but the well-shaded base allows climbing as long as it’s not too hot. The bolting is stressless on beautiful grey-white limestone.
it’s a place to discover for one or two days climbing, especially if the idea of being almost alone in nature appeals to you…
Les Petites Pucelles
16 routes – predominant difficulty level: from 5c to 6b+ – 3.00€
Les Petites Pucelles is a beautiful summer crag with accessible grades that allow a wide range of climbers to enjoy.
The routes, reaching up to 30m in height, offer varied climbing with a focus on pockets, sidepulls, and cracks.
While the base of the routes is under the trees, the view becomes stunning as you climb higher.
BELLEDONNE MASSIF
Rochers de l’Homme (Topos Cambon)
37 multi-pitch routes – predominant difficulty level: from 5c to 6c – 3.00€
From the two- or three-pitch routes in the Tourelles sector to the 400 m routes on Pilier des Rivières Pourpres, all the climbs presented here has been bolted by JM Cambon.
Facing due south, the Rochers de l’Homme can be climbed almost all year round, offering a feeling of remoteness — though the car is never far away!
The generous bolting makes up for the rock, which is sometimes not entirely solid…
La Petite Corse (ECI)
35 multi-pitch routes – predominant difficulty level: from 5b to 6a – 3.00€
La Petite Corse is a paradise for modest and/or pleasure-seeking climbers who prioritize enjoyable climbing. The gradings are accessible, and even when it becomes harder, the generous bolting keeps the mandatory grading at 5c and never beyond 6a!
Most routes span from 3 to 5 pitches, and the logical connections between the lower and upper cliffs allow for up to 300m of climbing.
Pic de la Fare (Topos Cambon)
3 multi-pitch routes – predominant difficulty level: from 5b to 6a – 3.00€
One medium-length multi-pitch route, one very long, and an endless one!
The routes on the Pic de la Fare let you escape into a wild mountain environment, inhabited by wildlife, but with civilised bolting.
A truly unique line: La Walker du Livet, with its 1,000 m of fully bolted climbing (though sometimes quite run-out). A superhuman challenge within reach of many.
Explore the crags in the neighborhood
Here are somme digital guidebooks for climbing in the surroundings areas.
To see all the guidebooks available on the OmegaRoc app: The OmegaRoc guidebooks
