Ailefroide
Ailefroide is a charming hamlet in the Briançon region, located in the heart of the Écrins National Park. Surrounded by dramatic peaks, glaciers, and dense alpine forests, it sits at an altitude of about 1,500 meters and offers a tranquil escape into nature. Known as a hub for mountaineering and rock climbing, it attracts adventurers with its granite climbing routes and access to iconic summits like Mont Pelvoux and Barre des Écrins. The area is also a haven for hikers, with trails ranging from gentle walks to challenging treks that showcase stunning alpine vistas. Despite its rugged appeal, Ailefroide retains a peaceful, almost timeless atmosphere, making it a favorite for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
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Description
Located only 30 km away from Briançon, Ailefroide is a place you must go when you visit the French Alpes! Known for its rugged mountain terrain and stunning natural beauty, this area is a popular destination for mountaineers, hikers, and nature lovers. Ailefroide features alpine meadows, glaciers, and a small mountain village, serving as a base for outdoor enthusiasts exploring the pristine wilderness. The name "Ailefroide" translates to "Cold Wing" in French, highlighting its high-altitude, chilly environment. Beautiful mountain all around the campsite, this place breathes climbing! After considering many options, we chose to climb Snoopy Direct, a 250 meter granite multi pitch, consisting of 9 pitches, from 5c to 6b. It was a hot summer day, so we were careful to choose something facing north-east, but we failed to realise that due to the mountain’s slabby nature, it has a low inclination angle, which allows the sun to reach us the whole day. In other words, it was sunny and hot the whole climb! The first 3 pitches are easy, with one or two committing moves, after this, every pitch is a bit challenging, especially the last 2, where you need to be brave and confident on you slab skills. Once at the top, we decided to take the walk down, which is very long, but quite nice, with steal cables on the more dangerous spots. Ailefroide is a place to come back and explore much more, no wonder why it’s so popular! There’s just an endless amount of options, not to mention is beauty.
Location(s)
| Country | Location | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Ailefroide | Show on map | |
| France | Briançon | Location details | Show on map |