Since Saturday, August 8, 2026, thrill-seekers have a new playground in Haute-Savoie. The via ferrata of the Gorge du Cé has just opened in Mont-Saxonnex, featuring two routes, monkey bridges, dizzying footbridges, and even two large zip lines.
A new via ferrata in Mont-Saxonnex
It is a novelty that should quickly appeal to outdoor activity enthusiasts. The via ferrata of the Gorge du Cé has been officially accessible since Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Mont-Saxonnex.
The route has been arranged in a particularly spectacular natural environment, among the limestone cliffs of the Cé gorges. Once engaged on the path, one alternates between climbing on rock, ladders, monkey bridges, footbridges, and much more aerial passages.
The scenery alone constitutes one of the attractions of this new via ferrata. Along the way, participants especially enjoy views of the Bargy massif, the Môle, and the valley.
Two routes to choose your level
One of the features of the new Mont-Saxonnex equipment is to offer two difficulty variants.
The first route is rated AD (Fairly Difficult). It notably includes a monkey bridge before continuing with two impressive footbridges of 33 and 60 meters.
Ferratists looking for more thrills can choose the D (Difficult) variant. More physical, it includes an overhang passage and leads to a spectacular 83-meter footbridge, described as the longest in the Northern Alps. It allows access to the east face before several particularly aerial traverses.
The two routes then converge.
Two zip lines of 90 and 110 meters!
The adventure doesn’t stop there. Those who wish to extend the experience can take two optional zip lines of 90 and 110 meters.
However, be aware: it is essential to have a Trac Petzl pulley or equivalent equipment to use them.
People without a pulley or those who prefer to avoid zip lines can simply continue the route to reach the exit.
In total, the route includes 520 meters of cable length and about 50 meters of elevation gain. You should plan approximately 20 minutes of approach walk, 2h30 to complete the via ferrata, and 15 minutes for the return.
A hidden cave in the middle of the route
Another originality of this new via ferrata: the route doesn’t just follow the cliffs.
After an initial cabled hiking trail and some ladders, participants discover various arranged passages, including a monkey bridge and a hidden cave, before arriving at the junction allowing the choice between the AD and D variants.
The various footbridges total approximately 170 meters of suspended crossings, giving this via ferrata a particularly aerial character.
How to access the via ferrata of the Gorge du Cé?
Access is from the parking lot near the cemetery and the church of Mont-Saxonnex.
From there, you must walk to the Espace Gypaète, cross it, then follow the path indicating access to the via ferrata. The trail then descends in switchbacks to the Cé stream, which must be crossed before reaching the route’s start.
On the way back, the trail brings participants behind the village church, again offering a beautiful panorama of the surrounding mountains.
What level is required?
Despite its rating as “Fairly Difficult” on the easiest route, this new via ferrata should not be considered a simple arranged walk.
It includes aerial passages and requires good physical condition as well as a minimum mastery of progress on a via ferrata. The D variant notably adds a steep overhang passage, described as the most physically demanding sector of the route.
For children, information provided by Cluses Arve & montagnes Tourisme recommends activity from 1.45 m and 40 kg.
Beginners who are unfamiliar with progression and safety techniques are advised to make their first outing with a professional.
What equipment to plan?
Specific via ferrata equipment is mandatory. You must have at least:
- a helmet;
- a harness;
- via ferrata lanyards equipped with a shock absorber;
- a suitable pulley if you wish to use the two zip lines.
Equipment can be rented from a climbing instructor based in Mont-Saxonnex (Philippe Escoto, climbing instructor in Mont-Saxonnex: 06 86 22 46 77). As an indication, the pack including harness, lanyard, and helmet is advertised at €15, and the pack also including the pulley at €23.
Before leaving, it remains essential to check weather conditions. The rock, metal equipment, and aerial passages notably make the practice dangerous in case of storm.
A new tourist asset for Mont-Saxonnex
With this opening, Mont-Saxonnex further completes its summer offer.
The village was already known to hikers for the Lake Bénit, the Cenise plateau, and the Bargy massif. The via ferrata of the Gorge du Cé now introduces a much more vertical and sporty activity.
Between narrow gorges, limestone cliffs, hidden cave, monkey bridges, large footbridges, and zip lines exceeding 100 meters, this new route has strong arguments to quickly become one of the via ferrata spots to discover in Haute-Savoie.
Practical information
- Opening: since Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Location: Gorge du Cé, Mont-Saxonnex
- Difficulty: AD (Fairly Difficult) with D (Difficult) variant
- Cable length: 520 m
- Duration of via ferrata: about 2h30
- Approach: about 20 minutes
- Return: about 15 minutes
- Elevation gain: 50 m
- Maximum altitude: 930 m
- Zip lines: 90 m and 110 m, optional
- Footbridges: up to 83 m
- Children: from 1.45 m and 40 kg
- Access: cemetery parking lot of Mont-Saxonnex
- Equipment: helmet, harness, and lanyards with shock absorber mandatory; suitable pulley mandatory for zip lines
- Official site: Via ferrata sheet – Cluses Arve & montagnes Tourisme
Photo source: CAMT (Cluses Arve Montagne Tourisme)
