Echelles de la Mort Via Ferrata Belvedère Echelles de la Mort 657 m
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- Difficulty
- K4
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- Ascent
- 2 h, 110 m
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- Mountain Experience
- 1 / 4
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- Power
- 3 / 4
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- Endurance
- 2 / 4
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- Psyche
- 3 / 4
The deep valley of the Doubs, which forms the border between France and Switzerland in the Jura, is a wild area. Once lined with industry, the banks of the river here were partially transformed into concentration camps; today only ruins remain, such as those of the Moulin de la Mort. Smugglers also knew this place: they tried to escape the customs officers via the dangerous "Echelles de la Mort", sometimes with a calf on their backs! Later, climbers discovered the area too, with its limestone cliffs and the Aiguille de la Mort, the highest freestanding monolith of the Jura. With the construction of the Echelles de la Mort via ferrrata in 2008, you can now admire this close up. This tour can be extended by the following: take the narrow gauge railway from La Chauxde-Fonds to La Ferrière (1005 m) and the Combe de Biaufond - and in the second half of the gorge ascedn three massive ladders (one almost vertical with 45 rungs!), then follow stairs and bridges down to Biaufond. Turn left, or (crossing the river below the Aiguille and the Moulin de la Mort!) turn right towards the "Kraftwerk Refrain" (power station), take the Todesleitern to the "Grottes des Moines", then to the "Barrage du Refrain" and return to one of the pubs at Biaufond. 6 hours in total - bonne balade and bon appétit!
Route description
Additional information
- Character
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Classic sporty via ferrata. The route leads along a mostly vertical rock face, over a length of 500 m. Some places are slightly overhanging or protruding. When traversing you often have a lot of air under the soles. Various (shaky) rope bridges to cross; ladders of all kinds to climb. At the end is an optional Tyrolienne (a pulley must be brought along for this!).
- Time
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Total: 2 hours 20 min.
Approach: 5 min.
Climb: 2 hours
Return: 15 min.
- Signalisation
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Well secured