The Mazamet Via Ferrata: Free and open all year round

Want to see beautiful landscapes, have thrills in complete safety? Come and discover the Mazamet Via Ferrata! It is located just below the Mazamet footbridge which leads (on foot and free) to the charming village of Hautpoul. Easy to access, for beginners, it is an ideal Via Ferrata for learning and training, while enjoying a sumptuous view. In the Arnette gorges, we will take you with us!

Photos from the report: Guide Tarn Aveyron

What is Via Ferrata, how do we do it?

Via Ferrata is a mix between climbing, tree climbing and hiking. On the side of the cliff, a course is set up by experts, with different levels of difficulty, to walk on the rock using equipment sealed to the rock and sometimes zip lines. To do the Via Ferrata, at least the easy routes like that of Mazamet, there is no need for strength or significant knowledge. You need equipment, not to be afraid of heights or heights and to be accompanied for the first time by a professional or someone who has already done it.

Via Ferrata is not dangerous, there is no risk, but there are consequences in the event of a fall or misuse of the equipment. You are under your responsibility, the courses are freely accessible, all year round, from sunrise to sunset. You should not go there when it is raining, cold or too hot (these are common sense tips that should be remembered). The Mazamet Via Ferrata is specifically for people over 1m35, between 40 and 120kg (in relation to the spacing and resistance of the equipment).

Equipment for doing via ferrata

• A helmet!! Really! The bars are always placed close to your head and often end up on the corner of the skull, ouch!
• An absorber with 2 lanyards and carabiners
• A cow or resting tether
• A pair of gloves (otherwise beware of blisters and burns)
• A harness or harness
• Closed, high-top shoes with crampons if possible
• A Trac Petzl style pulley
  

Mazamet Via Ferrata

To access the via and the Mazamet footbridge, you must park at the footbridge car park indicated at the exit from Mazamet towards the Arnette gorges. Then you follow the signs, it is very well indicated. The approach walk lasts 15 to 30 minutes depending on the route chosen and it takes place in the woods, you need good shoes (we forget the flip-flops for the via ferrata anyway, right?).

According to the map there are 3 possible routes. I recommend that you take a photo of the map (sign) with your Smartphone before leaving. I found it difficult to find my way once on the rock and sometimes I didn't really know where to go! (by going higher and higher you eventually find your way back, but there is the possibility of making a loop thanks to the different zip lines).

The route takes place approximately 70 meters above the Arnette gorges. There is a little “gas” that is to say impressive height, but nothing insurmountable. As we climb, we enjoy very pretty views of the footbridge above us and of Mazamet. We will go up to actually reach the start of the footbridge, then continue overhanging to reach the entrance to the pretty village of Hautpoul.

The Via Ferrata with the zip lines is around 800m, it is indicated in 2h30, but regulars can do it in 30 minutes (if there are no crowds), this is the route we did.

You will have a lot of fun and have a great time! Don't hesitate to take your teenagers with you or children if they have already done it (over 1.35m), it's really a beautiful Via Ferrata! Continue with a visit to Hautpoul, have a refreshment in a small bar and visit the artisans. We'll talk about it next time in an article!

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