Climbing and via ferrata in Combloux: the Médonnet boulders, beginner crags and the via ferratas of the Mont Blanc country
The granite starts right in the commune. The Médonnet boulders, in the Médonnet forest, within the commune, offer some two hundred problems from 4b to 8a, two to six metres high, a few minutes from the car park: a bouldering spot known to climbers throughout the valley, where you will need a crash pad. The car parks are tiny and access is fragile: park discreetly and don't linger there as a noisy group.
Updated on 29 September 2026.
For beginners and children
- The Rochefort rock, in Cordon, the neighbouring village: 21 routes from 3c to 7b, eight metres high at most, south-facing, with a shaded picnic area, toilets and a car park. Topo guide at the Cordon tourist office (+33 4 50 58 01 57).
- Le Martinet, in Megève, a small free crag in the heart of the village, from 1 May to 31 October.
- The Larses slabs, in Passy (Plaine-Joux): limestone from 4b to 6b+, two minutes from the car park, well bolted for beginners.
When it rains: the Palais wall in Megève
740 m², around a hundred routes from 3a to 8a, 11 minutes from the building. In 2026: €17.60 for an adult (€10.60 from 4 pm to 5 pm), €8.80 for 5 to 14-year-olds, free for under-5s, equipment hire €6. Beginners must be trained before climbing on their own: a lesson with an instructor sorts that out. Another climbing gym, with routes and bouldering: Le Topo, in Le Fayet (Saint-Gervais), open every day, €18 for an adult, €12 for under-16s.
The via ferratas
- Curalla, in Passy (Plateau d'Assy): the nearest, graded AD+, an hour and a half with ladders, monkey bridges and Nepalese bridges. Open from 16 April to 31 October, free, minimum height 1.50 m. It faces due south: go early or late in the day.
- The Parc thermal, in Saint-Gervais, in the Bonnant gorge behind the spa: three sections, from D to TD+, three and a half hours in all. Open from 16 April to 23 November. For experienced climbers only.
- Yves Pollet-Villard, in La Clusaz, at the Col des Aravis: 700 metres between 1,500 and 1,800 m, three to four hours, from 14 May to 14 November.
With a guide
There is no mountain guides' office in Combloux; the one in Megève (76 rue Ambroise Martin, +33 4 50 21 55 11) leads climbing at the Palais and on the crags, and via ferratas from age 12, equipment provided. In Saint-Gervais, the Compagnie des guides (mountain guides' company) takes groups up Curalla on Tuesday and Friday mornings in summer (€85 per person) or privately (€315 for up to five people). Via ferrata kits to hire from Session Raft, in Passy (+33 4 50 93 63 63).
Frequently asked questions
Where can you climb in Combloux?
On the Médonnet boulders, in the forest within the commune, from 4b to 8a, with a crash pad. For bolted routes, the Rochefort rock in Cordon, right next door.
Which via ferrata for a first time?
Curalla, in Passy, graded AD+, an hour and a half, from a height of 1.50 m; with a guide the first time.
Where can you climb when it rains?
At the Palais wall in Megève, 11 minutes away, 100 routes from 3a to 8a, €17.60 for an adult.
Can children climb?
Yes: at the Palais from age 5 with a trained adult or an instructor, and on the easy routes at Rochefort and Le Martinet; on via ferratas, from a height of 1.50 m.
Do you need a guide for the via ferrata?
It isn't compulsory, but it is recommended if you have never done one: the Megève guides' office or the Saint-Gervais Compagnie provide the equipment.
Sleep fifty metres from the snow
Le lodge de l'alpage
70 m², 6 guests · from €200/night
Les cimes de l'alpage
130 m², 10 guests · from €400/night
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