Rock climbing: discover the Salève «topos grimpe»

Did you know that rock climbing originated on the slopes of Salève? In fact, the origin of the word stems from the foolhardiness of a group of Genevans who set out to conquer the «Varappe» - one of the steepest and most narrow gorges of Salève - at the turn of the 19th century. Around 1874, some of the rock climbing enthusiasts who risked the climb came to be known as the «varappeux». Around 1925 this term evolved to indicate the act of climbing a rock corridor or a steep wall in the mountain.

It was also around this time that the first pair of shoes especially dedicated to what then went on to become a full-fledged sport was developed. A mythical and legendary place, Salève is valued greatly by climbers, even today.

Sites to practise rock climbing:

On Salève: the birthplace of rock climbing. 400 routes at an altitude varying from 15 m to 180 m (starting from Collonges-sous-Salève and Monnetier Mornex). «The guide of Salève» topo and topo of Canapé - Information: CIF Annemasse-Salève +33 (0) 450 37 73 32

Plateau de Plaine-Joux between Bogève and Onnion. Rock climbing topo of St Jeoire and the Vallée du Risse on sale at the Tourist Office of Brasses - + 33 (0) 450 35 91 83

Mieussy: 4 sites: Falaises d’Anthon, the Jourdy, the Chapelle St Gras and the Suet.

Topo of the Vallée du Giffre available at the tourist office of Mieussy - + 33 (0) 450 43 02 72
Photo: Syndicat Mixte du Salève