LA ROCHE
AU DADE

This Via Ferrata is certainly not going to win any beauty contests!  From the outside, what looks to be a bit of a disused quarry with some rope bridges and zip lines actually contains a nicely laid out course.  

To start, there is a free car park right at the base of the quarry next to the road, which you can see the 3 courses right in front of you - the Parcours Initial (AD), Parcours Ludique (AD) and Variante Athletique (D).  For these last 2 courses you will need a tyrollenne attachment to enjoy.  The best of this Via Ferrata is to be found on the parlours initial, which the other 2 variants actually join later on as well.  The start of this variant is found walking through the quarry and will be seen by a sign on the left hand side of the quarry stating 'parcours classique'.  Follow this interesting and fun route up the left wall of the quarry to the first section which is a "bridge playground" traversing across the quarry.  Some slightly challenging transitions on and off the bridges will be a bit tougher for taller people to squeeze under. (speaking from experience!). Once completed,  from the quarry you will follow the route heading up the side of the valley up to the 'Roche au Date'.  The route is really nicely designed and considers 3 main pitches and some transition sections which provide plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the views of Morez below.  The first of the climbs is the simplest leaving the quarry behind you.  After a small wooded path, after a short ladder, the 2nd has a slightly difficult transition up a very slight overhang to a sideways traverse section.  Then, after a rather loose and wobbly 2 wire bridge to cross, the 3rd climb called the "Traverse aux Chamois" is probably the toughest part of the course with a sheer vertical rock face to climb up that heads slightly to the right as you climb straight up.  After another sideways traverse along the top of the rock, you will pass a small cave.  And then, after about 200m of climbing and 400m wire length you reach the end of the route which is a belvedere over the valley with some benches to rest and relax.

As I said at the start, the course is not the prettiest and certainly not very spectacular compared to many other via ferrata, but look underneath the exterior, and it's good fun, really nicely designed and has some great sections for beginner - intermediate via ferrata enthusiasts.  I would not recommend this via ferrata for first timers without a good and experienced guide to take them up.

Total route time is about 1 hour, and then the descent footpath is about 30 mins.  From the top, you follow a path through the woods for about 500m, and then follow the road back down around the rock back to the car park.