Climbing

At Hans Boulder

Crédit photo CampToCamp

Rock climbing is a complete discipline that requires dexterity and agility!

It can be practised on the Lac Blanc side of the lake, but only experienced climbers should try it, or be accompanied by a guide.

There are around forty equipped routes on the Hans rock. They overlook Lac Blanc and offer an exceptional panorama. But these granite routes have to be earned!

Access is via a steep path (marked with red and white circles) from the car park at the dam, then the view over the lake opens up. The routes are accessed from the collet separating the Tour de la Vierge from the mountainside via a steep descent, followed by a small path leading to the foot of the face. It takes around 25 minutes to walk to the routes from the car park on the Lac Blanc dam.

The routes are spread out over perfect fractured rock. The routes are predominantly athletic and can take you up several pitches over a variety of ledges. The routes vary in length from 25m to 70m.

The 10 routes range in difficulty from 5b to 7Bb and are listed in a climbing guidebook ("Est'calades des Vosges du Sud" 4th edition, 2021). For aficionados, the guidebook is self-explanatory. On the other hand, if you are a novice, we recommend that you follow the safety rules or hire a climbing guide.