The Via Ferrata in Maurienne

Aussois - La Norma

[ The Virgin's Way ] [ The Angels' Traverse ] [ The Climb to the Sky ]

[ Descent to Hell ] [ The Purgatory Ascent ]

[ The Little Devils/ The Little Angels ] [ The Devil ]

Presentation
If the five sections of the Diable have such evocative names, it may be because the quality of the routes deserves to make them favorites among via ferrata enthusiasts. One thing is clear: you will spend a day in paradise!

Strategic stronghold on the way to Italy, the five Esseillon forts have been watching over the Mont Cenis pass since 1832. Facing the Vanoise National Park, between fort Victor-Emmanuel and Marie-Thérèse, a gorge opens that holds the 3750 m of this amazing and magnificent via ferrata, whose 5 sections can be made in a loop, but also be appreciated individually!

The Virgin's Way

The route Begin with the Annonciation traverse : a succession of fairly technical passages ending in a small footbridge with spaced-out steps. Continue with the Visitation descent and its crux, the downclimbing of the Visitation ladder under an overhang. Finish with the beautiful Assomption climb ending in a particularly airy traverse, and the superb Vierge footbridge, 100 m high above the Nant waterfall. This route is the longest and most varied via in the Diable area. Access From Avrieux, take D215 towards Villarodin. 300 m after the bridge over the Arc, then drive left for 1 km. Park near the pressure pipelines. Walk on the dirt road and take left on a blazed footpath (10 min). Go back over the Vierge footbridge (two-way). A cable leads to a footpath (blue) and to the start (20 min). From the Marie Thérèse fort, go to the start of the Ange traverse and walk down a footpath to the left that leads to the arrival of the Vierge path. Walk across the Vierge footbridge and follow the above-mentioned path before doing the via ferrata. Other activities Walking, mountain-bike, fishing, horse-riding, rock-climbing,canyoning, tennis, mini-golf, archery, hang-gliding, paragliding Technical data
Period : all year Map : IGN Top 25 3534 OT Difficulty : D	Average altitude : 1 300 m Time : 3h Length : 1 100 m
Information : Bureau des guides d'Aussois 04 79 20 32 48 or Bureau de la montagne de La Norma 04 79 20 31 46

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The Angels' Traverse

The route Start from the Marie-Thérèse fort, go down to the Arc Gorges Belvedere. Begin the via ferrata to the left and a succession of easy ledges, then a very airy traverse (escape route to the Devil's Bridge). The route goes on with overhung ledges that will test your arms and a descent towards a small pine tree. Another overhung passage leads to two athetic and vertical passages finishing at the Devil's Bridge. Access Take RN 6 after Modane towards Haute Maurienne, and park at the Marie-Thérèse fort. Other activities Walking, mountain-bike, fishing, horse-riding, rock-climbing,canyoning, tennis, mini-golf, archery, hang-gliding, paragliding Technical data
Period : all year Map : IGN Top 25 3534 OT Difficulty : AD before the escape route, then D	Altitude difference : 40 m Average altitude : 1 200 m Time : 1h30 Length : 360 m
Information : Bureau des guides d'Aussois 04 79 20 32 48 or Bureau de la montagne de La Norma 04 79 20 31 46

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The Climb to the Sky

The route Go across the Devil's Bridge to reach the first cable at a wooden gate. Small descending ledges pass under the bridge. Good rungs lead up a small airy slab then short traverses arrive at the foot of an interesting vertical face (25m). Take your breath... and admire the Arc Gorges from the platform, before the coming wall, with its strenuous climbing to pass the overhang ! After one last 20-meter vertical climb, enter the Victor-Emmanuel Fort feet first via a cannon hole ! Access From the Marie-Thérèse fort, take the trail to the Devil's Bridge. Other activities Walking, mountain-bike, fishing, horse-riding, rock-climbing,canyoning, tennis, mini-golf, archery, hang-gliding, paragliding Technical data
Period : all year Map : IGN Top 25 3534 OT Difficulty : D	Altitude difference : 120 m Average altitude : 1 300 m Time : 2h Length : 450 m
Information : Bureau des guides d'Aussois 04 79 20 32 48 or Bureau de la montagne de La Norma 04 79 20 31 46

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Descent to Hell

The route Go out through a cannon hole and walk along the fort to the left and take the Diablotins via (10m). An easy 50-meter traverse leads to a path to the top of the cliff (no cable). Easy ledges give way to a 15-meter overhanging wall where your arms will live...hell before reaching the diabolical 22-meter footbridge (12 people maximum). Access From Modane, take the Aussois road. At the roundabout, go towards Le Bourget, then Avrieux. On entering the village, go towards Aussois and park near fort Victor-Emmanuel. Other activities Walking, mountain-bike, fishing, horse-riding, rock-climbing,canyoning, tennis, mini-golf, archery, hang-gliding, paragliding Technical data
Period : all year Map : IGN Top 25 3534 OT Difficulty : D	Altitude difference : 170 m Time : 0h45
Information : Bureau des guides d'Aussois 04 79 20 32 48 or Bureau de la montagne de La Norma 04 79 20 31 46

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The Purgatory Ascent

The route Once across the footbridge, easy airy ledges lead to a small suspended forest. A little shade and rest before the athletic ascent of the overhangs bordering the Nant waterfall. A superb passage that can leave you a little wet ! After a last overhanging passage and a few easy ledges, go up a footpath to fort Marie-Thérèse. Access From Modane, take the Aussois road. At the roundabout, go towards Le Bourget, then Avrieux. On entering the village, go towards Aussois and park near fort Victor-Emmanuel. Other activities Walking, mountain-bike, fishing, horse-riding, rock-climbing,canyoning, tennis, mini-golf, archery, hang-gliding, paragliding Technical data
Period : all year Map : IGN Top 25 3534 OT Difficulty : D	Altitude difference : 110 m Time : 1h15 Total length of the 2 sections : 800 m, including 350 m on footpaths
Information : Bureau des guides d'Aussois 04 79 20 32 48 or Bureau de la montagne de La Norma 04 79 20 31 46

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The Little Devils/ The Little Angels

Presentation A world first, these via ferrata have been specially equipped for children over 6. Adults can also take their first fearless steps there. The Angelots, on the east face, is the easier route. Please note that these routes are alpine routes and require the same belaying techniques and equipment as the other vie ferrate and the compulsory supervision of a qualified adult. The route The little Angels (east) : The via leads along the fort to the parking lot. There are four escape routes to reach safer ground. Overall, there are five short sections between 4 and 20 meters high. Access from the "Salle des batteries basses" in fort Victor-Emmanuel, exit via the left cannon hole. The little Devils (west) : A succession of ledges, overhangs and small footbridges on the cliff to reach the foot of the fort walls. Access via a cannon hole on the south wall. From the fort Victor-Emmanuel parking lot, take right (west) to the edge of the cliff. Access from the fort Victor-Emmanuel parking lot, take right (west) to the edge of the cliff. Access From the fort Victor-Emmanuel parking lot, take right (west) to the edge of the cliff. Other activities Walking, mountain-bike, fishing, horse-riding, rock-climbing,canyoning, tennis, mini-golf, archery, hang-gliding, paragliding Technical data Little Devils
Period : all year Map : IGN Top 25 3534 OT Difficulty : PD	Average altitude : 1 300 m Altitude difference : 50 m Time : 1h30 Length 400 m
Technical data Little Angels
Period : all year Map : IGN Top 25 3534 OT Difficulty : PD	Average altitude : 1 300 m Altitude difference : 0 m Time : 1h30 Length 500 m
Information : Bureau des guides d'Aussois 04 79 20 32 48 or Bureau de la montagne de La Norma 04 79 20 31 46

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