Col d’Aussois Pass – Pointe de l’Observatoire Peak

This mountain pass tops out at almost 3000m. It is also the first stage of the most well-known multi-day hike in the range: circumnavigating the Vanoise Glaciers.

From the Col d’Aussois, between Maurienne and Tarentaise, an exceptional panorama awaits you: Dent Parrachée, Pointe de l’Échelle, domes of the Vanoise glaciers, Mont Blanc… A few more minutes’ walk up a succession of rocky steps (where it’s not uncommon to come across ibexes) will take you to the Pointe de l’Observatoire (3,015 m), where you’ll enjoy a magical view of the Chavière valley and the Écrins massif! This
This itinerary is part of the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise and provides excellent preparation for glacier trekking.
The route follows a scree slope. Follow the cairns (piles of stones used to mark out a route in areas where it is difficult to mark out). The final section is quite steep and may remain snow-covered well into summer.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step :

1. From the Pont de la Pêche parking lot, take the pastoral road up towards the Ritord mountain pasture (trails no. 49 and 49b), which marks the entrance to the Vanoise National Park.
2. Cross the Ritord mountain pasture and follow the path up to the cirque de Rosoire (path no. 45).
3. At the intersection, fork right to head for Col d’Aussois (path no. 46).
4. At the pass, turn right to reach the pointe de l’Observatoire in about fifteen minutes.
5. For the descent, take the same route.

From the col, you can reach the Maurienne via the refuges in the Aussois valley.