Atlas › France - Alpes-Maritimes
Riolan
verified
Ungraded
High flood risk
Saint-Auban, Alpes-Maritimes
Eighteen rappels in a sustained limestone slot above the Esteron, a long-day French classic.
Wetsuit required, water cold even in midsummer. Verify permit status with the commune of Saint-Auban before descending. Bolts community-maintained, generally good.
Logistics
| Manager | Préfecture des Alpes-Maritimes (commune de Saint-Auban) |
|---|---|
| Permit | Permit required per ropewiki listing; check with local mairie or guide before going. |
| Distance | 1.9 |
| Elevation | ~656 ft loss |
| Time | 4-7 hr (5 min to 1.5 hr approach, 4-5 hr descent, 1-5 min exit) |
| Technical | Limestone water canyon in the upper Esteron valley. 18 rappels, longest about 56 ft. Sustained moderate descent with short raps, swims, and jumps. Ropewiki rates 3C III (v3a3 III). Swift water hazard. |
| Season | May-Sep |
| Flood risk | Moderate to high. Limestone basin drains quickly; thunderstorm in the upper Esteron spikes flow within an hour. |
| Vehicle access | 2WD, optional 8.5 km shuttle |
| Crowd | Moderate, classic Alpes-Maritimes route |
| Coordinates | 43.8782, 6.9387 |
Sources
- ropewiki: https://ropewiki.com/Riolan