The Hell's Hole Footbridge
Description
Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply curious to experience a thrill-filled adventure, treat yourself to a moment of immersion in the heart of nature—a moment suspended in time—by daring to cross the Himalayan footbridge.
The "Hole of Hell," flanked by steep and unstable slopes, bears witness to the vitality of the Leysse River. Since the retreat of the glaciers, the river has carved its way through the plateau of the same name. The presence of rock banks of varying hardness sometimes forces the river to make elegant twists and turns as it flows toward Chambéry.
The site is full of often unexpected geological curiosities, such as tufa formations. They are also known as “petrifying springs.” They cross the trail in the form of limestone concretions formed by specific chemical reactions in a karst limestone environment and in the presence of an upstream spring.
To get there: The footbridge, designed to sway underfoot, is accessible via a hiking trail
From the community hall in Saint-Jean-d’Arvey, walk up the street and then head toward the road leading to Thoirry. In the Villard neighborhood, take the road to the right to reach a fork; from there, follow the path leading downhill, marked “Sentier des vignes.”
You’ll then reach a new fork at “Les Lantillères,” at 510 meters. Turn left onto the steep descent toward the footbridge.
You’ll actually catch a glimpse of the footbridge before you reach it.
Finally, you’ll have just a few hundred meters left before reaching the foot of the Passerelle du Trou de l’Enfer.
Caution: the ground can be slippery, so wear sturdy shoes and be careful!!!
The return trip is challenging, with an elevation gain of nearly 200 meters.
Princing
Free of charge.