Escale Verticale

On vacation in Auvergne, do you want to dive into the canyons of Cantal? At Escale Verticale, we offer a wide range of excursions allowing you to discover the natural heritage of the Auvergne massif.

The theaters of our activities are spread throughout Auvergne, mainly in Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme, but also in Aveyron and Lozère, on the borders of the Massif Central. Do you want to treat yourself to an exploration of the Jordanne gorges, or do you prefer to mix up your activities for a week of discovery in Auvergne? Everything is possible depending on your preferences. Enough to make you dizzy!

What exactly do we offer? For white water lovers, we organize descents of the canyons of Cornillou, Argence Médiane and Arcueil. Abseiling, jumps, natural slides... on the program, a sporty discovery of the Cantal streams, jewel of the steep nature of the Massif Central.

Near Aurillac, capital of the Cantal department, you will also be seduced by the route of our water hikes in the Jordanne valley. Former glacial valley, today it is full of important heritage sites. Opt for a fun hike full of waterfalls, in the shadow of the Auvergne castles and churches.

Do you want to gain height? multi-pitch climbing is made for you! Dive into the heart of the rocky promontories of the Sancy Massif in multi-pitch climbing and admire the Puy de Sancy, the highest point of the Massif Central.

Passionate about hiking? Try our via ferrata outings in Aubrac, on the border of Aveyron and Cantal. A perfect mix between hiking and climbing, the via ferrata will appeal to young and old alike, through a discovery on the rocky slopes of the granite plateau of Aubrac.

Our activities are accessible from Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme) or Aurillac (Cantal). Supervised by our experienced instructors, they are intended for beginners as well as the most experienced explorers.

Welcome to Escale Verticale, the meeting place for thrills in Auvergne.

We are located in Montluçon, about an hour's drive from Vichy and Clermont-Ferrand, at the foot of the Auvergne mountains.

Passionate about mountain sports for years, our guides, state graduates, offer you different activities to help you discover Cantal in a sporty and fun way.

We offer aquatic hikes and canyoning to discover our magnificent mountains and rivers, these activities are carried out in the Gorges du Pas de Cère and in the Gorges de la Jordanne, two real natural gems giving access to different cliffs, and canyons around sixty meters deep.

Thrills, adrenaline, pleasure and conviviality will be the key words of these two activities.

Aquatic hikes will allow you to go down rivers and alternate between slides, jumps and white water swimming.

Canyoning is offered for people requiring a slight physical condition in order to be able to overcome more technical obstacles such as abseiling.

The only condition to carry out these two activities, accessible to everyone from 8 years old, is to know how to swim. So don’t hesitate any longer to come and meet us in Montluçon.

Our professional instructors will accompany you from A to Z so that you can make the most of these activities in complete safety. You will have full neoprene suits, helmet and harness at your disposal.

We look forward to seeing you in Montluçon for a colorful adventure in the white waters of the Cantal rivers.

Do you want to enjoy a unique experience, on the border of hiking and climbing, in the heart of the Auvergne mountains? At Escale Verticale, our via ferrata routes promise you a memorable excursion!

Originally from Austria, via ferrata is the perfect mix for hikers wanting to experience the adrenaline of climbing without experiencing the technical difficulties. It is a course built directly into the rock, taking the form of a set of metal installations (mainly bars and ramps). The via ferrata route is a perfect way to discover the splendid cliffs of Auvergne!

Departing from Montluçon, go to the south of the town in theles gorges du Haut Cher! In the heart of the Auvergne wilderness, in the south of Allier, the Cher flows in gorges, digging into the mountain massif. These are bordered by the famous Château de l’Ours, a medieval fortification dominating the waters from a rocky promontory. Our route, built on the cliff walls, promises breathtaking panoramas.

We also welcome you to our Argences-en-Aubrac site. Located about 1 hour from Aurillac, it is part of the Aubrac Regional Natural Park, and offers the visitor an exceptional view of the landscapes of the Cantal Mountains . On the program, a discovery of the Truyère gorges, one of the many folk streams of the Auvergne valleys.

We look forward to seeing you at Escale Verticale to share an experience with family or friends, during our via ferrata sessions!

Ready for a dizzying climb? Let yourself be tempted by climbing, the ideal activity to gain height and discover the Auvergne peaks. On the program, a sporting discovery of the Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme massifs and the preserved nature they contain. Amateur climber or true summit enthusiast, we are waiting for you at Escale Verticale for a breathtaking ascent!

Come to one of the two sites that we have selected to share with you the sublime panoramas of the Auvergne mountains:

• In Chambon-sur-Lac, in Puy-de-Dôme, 45 minutes from Clermont-Ferrand. In the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park, Escale Verticale offers you a long route in the Sancy massif. Only a few kilometers from Puy de Sancy, enjoy a sporting excursion to admire some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region! A climbing route made up of several consecutive segments, the long route offers the ideal pace for discovering the steep landscapes of the Massif Central.
• In Carlat, in Cantal, just twenty minutes from Aurillac, the capital of the department. In the heart of the Cantal mountains, the Carlat basalt plateau is a privileged spot for climbing. On the rock of Carlat stood a castle deemed impregnable by the invaders. Today, the formidable cliffs of the surrounding area welcome you for a discovery of multipitch or artificial boulders climbing.

Our guides will accompany you throughout the ascent and will adapt the difficulty of the route according to your level, whether you are a beginner or an expert climber.