An afternoon on the via ferrata of Cavaillon

Saturday afternoon with friends. The weather is beautiful, and our spring is incredibly warm... "Hey kids, shall we go out?" The unimpressed looks from the audience are clear: "Meh, no!" A quick mental rundown of exciting outdoor options follows…

And what about the Via Ferrata of Cavaillon? Would you like that? "Oh yes!!!!"

…thank you, magic words…

Some members of the group already have their harnesses, helmets, and via ferrata lanyards. The others make a quick stop at one of the two equipment rental shops in Cavaillon.

We head up to the Via Ferrata by taking the small path that starts in town (from the Tourist Office square) and climbs up to the top of Colline Saint-Jacques... A little warm-up that excites some and tires out others…!

The view is always breathtaking: the Durance River, the Luberon, the Monts de Vaucluse, and Mont Ventoux unfold before us. In just 20 minutes, we reach the top of a hill that offers a panorama worthy of the highest peaks!

Here we are at the starting point...

The Via Ferrata consists of two routes: the Via Natura (for everyone over 1.30m) and the Via Souterrata (for sporty individuals over 1.50m).

Equipment check, a short training session in the area dedicated to beginners. The experienced climbers are getting impatient…

We step over the starting barrier and immediately find ourselves immersed in the vertical world. A ladder and a beam suspended over the void precede sections in direct contact with the rock, slightly overhanging… A thrilling experience right from the start—get ready to strengthen those little, fragile hearts! Not recommended for those with a fear of heights.

We continue over a monkey bridge before reaching a small cave that children love. And to be honest, so do we—the view, always the view, we never get tired of it…

And yes, we do get breaks!!!

Educational breaks… Small metal signs accompany our progress, sometimes introducing a bird, sometimes a flower, positioned just a few steps away. A great way to catch our breath after an adrenaline rush!!!

Then come the staged “dizzying” photo breaks (because when the step is truly terrifying, taking photos is out of the question!!!), along with jokes and playful teasing aimed at those with shaky legs—but in the end, everyone laughs…

45 minutes later, it's the return path for the Via Natura and the beginning of the Via Souterrata. The group splits up. The taller and more athletic ones continue.

The Souterrata quickly sets the tone after just 100 meters. Under a dark vault, we stretch over the void, moving sideways like a "crab"—not necessarily very fast—breathing heavily and searching for the next resting point!!!!

The most athletic participants fully enjoy the experience, moving like lizards and making the most of every moment: their muscles respond to the slightest movement, while the sheer drop below adds a little touch of adrenaline to each step.

The fastest climbers will complete the entire Via Souterrata circuit in **2 to 3 hours**. If you take breaks, plan for more than **3 hours**. For the Via Natura, the duration ranges between **1 and 2 hours**.