SAINT-ETIENNE & HAUTE LOIRE

The main climbing in this sector is to be found in the Haute Loire department, but it seems only sensible to include the cliffs of the Loire, Rhone and North Ardeche deparments, since you are very likely to drive though these areas to get to the higher altitude cliffs. There is a wonderful variety of cliffs, ranging from Limestone at low altitude, to Granite of the mid altitude, Bassalt of Pradel and Monistrol-sur-Allier, and then the lava of Coux and Fay-sur-Lignon near the source of the Loire and up around 1200-1400m. In summer you can always find cool rock is you search well. Most of the cliffs are quiet, with the exception of those very close to Saint-Etienne.

Photo: (Fay sur Lignon)