Practical Informations
The Via Ferrata of raptors
Open from April 17th until November 1st 2026
No extra charge and without reservation!
Discover the Dordogne Valley differently !
The « Via Ferrata » has been adjusted to the cliff side approximately 100 meters above the Dordogne. It offers a 200 metre long acrobatic cliff course, that you can discover by yourself.
Necessary requirements:
• Must be aged 8 years old or above
• Must measure at least 1.3 metres
• Minors must be accompanied by two adults
• Two adults are required for the activity
• It is possible to join another group on site if available
• Sportswear highly recommended
Discover the Via-ferrata
Halfway between a hike and rock climbing, this activity offers the chance to fully enjoy the landscape and the valley. The 200 metre long course is equipped with iron stairs, rungs, pallets and beams attached to the cliff. These make the course easier and safer for all participants.
A life line guarantees optimal safety and avoids any risk of wrongful use. Our specially trained operators ensure the installation and safety of the equipment, explain how the system functions and give the basic safety rules. The course is done independently, without supervision or specific support during the activity.
Outside of opening times
We can open the cliff especially for your group ! For half a day the fee is 180 € in addition to the entrance fee. A reservation is required.
Contact us for more information.
The « Via Ferrata » of Marqueyssac is a high-up acrobatic course to discover by ourselves.
Your safety depends of your absolute respect of the instructions that will be given before starting.
The staff
All our instructors did a specific training for the activity in order to:
• introduce the activity ;
• check the equipment and facilities ;
• equip you ;
• inform you about conditions of use of the equipment and about facilities ;
• estimate your ability to complete the course by yourself ;
• respect the safety instructions.
They are able to assist in the best safety conditions if needed.
The briefing
After your equipment has been verified, an instructor takes charge of the participants. He gives a demonstration to correctly use the equipment provided by ourselves and do the activity in complete safety. He will ask you to do a test in order to get you used to the material and to check that you understand the instructions. He lists the elementary safety rules and answers your possible questions.
Your security depends of your absolute respect of the instructions that will be given before starting.
The test route and the way out
After being acquainted with all the rules and familiarising yourself with the equipment, you are allowed to go in the course. A short path enables you to reach the cliff . During a few meters you are on the cliff in a representative situation of the whole course. If you succeed this test and if you want, you can do the course by yourself for around thirty minutes. If, however, you wish to stop doing the course, a way out enables you to immediately stop the activity and go back to the starting area.
The course
The course was fitted out by a company specialised in fittings and safety for heights The opening to the public was subjected to the agreement of an audit office. Facilities are in accordance with the European standarts and are verified daily by us.
Two annual checks are made by a registered body.
The site thus presents all the guaranties of safety essential to this activity.
The Via Ferrata in figures
Cliff course more than 200 meters long
Average height of
around 15 meters high
Activity’s duration, 45 minutes,
equipment and security advice included
South-East exposure.
The continuous life line and the equipment
The continuous life line
Facilities done in Marqueyssac make it the first Via Ferrata of continuous life line in the world.
With the help of a slide on the cable, each follower is connected to the line during the whole route. This system doesn’t need any security handling to the follower who can’t undo the life line before the end of the route and his return on foot towards the start in a totally secured area.
Equipment
For your safety and your comfort, we provide you all the equipment to practice the activity : harness, lanyard with absorber, helmet.
For security reasons, personal equipment of participants is not accepted.
We provide you with equipment in accordance with the rules relating to the individual safety equipment (EPI).
Checks are regular in order to assure an optimal safety and quality.
Instructions for use of individual safety equipment and their conformity certificates are available on request.
The helmet
It protects the head in case of falling stones or shocks against the rock. It is essential.
Its size is adapted to your morphology by our operators who adjust it so that it won’t move.
The harness
It’s the essential element to evolve on the cliff. It’ s on the harness that the lanyard will be attached. Three types of harness according to the participants’ morphology. : the choice of the harness is made by the operator who equips you.
The lanyard
It connects the harness to the life-line. Marqueyssac Via Ferrata’s special lanyard is fitted out with a sole connector adapted to the continuous life-line. It is fitted with an energy absorber which may tear in case of a fall.
Marqueyssac Via Ferrata 2026 calendar
from 17 April to 1 Nov.
Spring holidays
from April 17 to May 3
Every day
11am-12:30pm
and 2pm-5pm
Weekend on 8 May and Ascension
From Friday, May 8 to 17
Every day
11am-12:30pm
and 2pm-5pm
Weekend at Pentecote
From June 23 to 25
Every day
11am-12:30pm
and 2pm-5pm
From May 26 to June 30
Every Sunday
and Monday, June 30
11am-12:30pm
and 2pm-5pm
July
August
Every day
9:30am-12pm
and 2:30pm-5:30pm
From September 1st to 30
Every Sunday
11am-12:30pm
and 2pm-5pm
From October 1st to 16
Every Sunday
2pm-5pm
All Saints’ Day Holidays
From Oct. 17 to Nov. 1st
Every day
2pm-5pm
• Access to the Via Ferrata is regulated and open to the public according to a specific timetable.
• Access to the Via Ferrata is subject to availability and the number of visitors.
• The park management reserves the right to interrupt the activity in the event of bad weather: rain, heatwave, etc.
• Access to the Via Ferrata is subject to the Jardins de Marqueyssac entrance fee.