Location: Les Vigneaux (French Alps).
Map: IGN 3536OT
Family rating: excellent
La Vignette is perfectly safe even for very young kids. Being an old vineyard, there are some small ruined buildings that are fun to explore and that can provide extra shade and cooling when summer days becomes hot. Les Traverses is somewhat steeper, but still OK.
Access: Easy access. Max 5 min walking from parking on D4.
Topo guide: topo guides are available in the local shops (Briançon, L’Argentiere la Bessée, Vallouisse). Guide book covering the wider area: Escalade en Briançonnais Haut Val Durance Queyras.
Best season: Spring-Summer-Autumn. Temperatures in summer can rise above 30°C. Remember to bring enough water (nothing available!!)
Routes: About 100 single pitch routes spread over 7 sectors. Difficulties ranging from 3 for to 8b! Bolting is perfect.
Limstone with very nice structure combined with flint.
Accomodation:
Multiple campsites in the close neighborhood.
Though not the nearest site (20 mins), Ailefroide can be recommended (see there).
On rest days:
- Nice swimming in a small lake near Chapelle de Rame (http://goo.gl/maps/rJVAb)
- Beautiful hikes.
- Aquatic canyoning: contact local guides
- Combine shopping in Briançon with a visit of the fortified old city.
- via ferrata in Les Vigneaux.