Col d'Aussois - La pointe de l'Observatoire - Return walk

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.