Seven sections – all different, each with its own name and level.
Escape exits between all sections.
One via ferrata has been cleverly set up for children – a treat for families.
Very popular and well equipped. No approach march. With the world’s longest via footbridge – 93 vertiginous metres!
ViaFerrata.Org – tips
Leave early; it’s a long trip.
Start with the Descente aux Enfers (Down to Hell!), you won’t be disappointed and you’ll be fresh enough to continue. For the more experienced, start with the new section, Les Rois Mages (strictly reserved for experts)
Cotation
| Strength | Les Angelos Descente aux Enfers La montée au purgatoire Traversée des Anges 1 Traversée des Anges 2 Montée au ciel Les Rois Mages
| 1 2 3 2 3 3 5
|
| Vertigo | Les Angelos Descente aux Enfers La montée au purgatoire Traversée des Anges 1 Traversée des Anges 2 Montée au ciel Les Rois Mages
| 1 2 3 2 3 3 4
|
| Type | Les Angelos Descente aux Enfers La montée au purgatoire Traversée des Anges 1 Traversée des Anges 2 Montée au ciel Les Rois Mages | 1 3 2 2 2 2 1
|
| Technique | Les Angelos Descente aux Enfers La montée au purgatoire Traversée des Anges 1 Traversée des Anges 2 Montée au ciel Les Rois Mages | 1 1 2 1 1 1 2
|
| Evaluation | Les Angelos Descente aux Enfers La montée au purgatoire Traversée des Anges 1 Traversée des Anges 2 Montée au ciel Les Rois Mages | For beginners Not Difficult Difficult Not Difficult Extreme Difficult Extreme difficult |
Explication Level (Information)
Strength
1. for beginners and kids
2. needs some via ferrata experience
3. needs some physical strength (at least 1 difficult part)
4. extremely demanding, needs excellent physical condition
Vertigo
1. low
2. middle
3. high, some parts with considerable exposure
4. very exposed
Type
Plaine - Mountain - High Mountain
1. abundant equipment
2. contacts with the rocs
3. scarce equipment
Technique
1. easy, beginner
2. with bridge, ladder, etc..
3. need deep knowledge (zip line)
Information
Office du Tourisme d'Aussois
Phone 04.79.20.30.80. Outside of France ++ 33.4.79.20.30.80
Length and Altitude
Total Lenght: 3,9 km.
GPS from Start
N 45'12'843
E 006'44'190
Alt. 1'328 m.
When can you climb it
Year long
Times
From the park: 10 minutes
Via Ferrata: 6h to 8h for all via ferrata
Back to the park: 10 minutes
Take the autoroute south from Geneva (A41) or east from Lyon (A43); exit at Freney.
Then the N6 towards Turin (Italy) as far as Modane. Aussois is another 7 kms. Large (free) parking area.
By Train
Aussois is 7 km away from Modane train station. 4h00 away from Paris.
To the start of the viaferrata
For the Traversée des Anges (signboard), leave your car at the parking area of the Marie-Thérèse redoubt beside the Lanslebourg – Modane road.
Alternatively, you can come from Aussois or Avrieux, use the Victor Emmanuel Fort parking area and start with the Descente aux Enfers.
This is the option that ViaFerrata.org strongly recommends so you have enough energy to complete the three sections of a via that is, after all, quite tiring.
Viaferrata climbing
Les Rois Mages (Video)
This new section was opened in July 2006 to complete the overall offer of all possible levels of difficulty, from beginner to best.
Let’s be clear: this particular section is tough and not to be tackled by everybody – certainly not beginners, however physically fit they may be!
Getting to the Nepalese bridge at the start is already demanding. If you have problems, stop there! If you get past it… keep going, but it is only a slight foretaste of what’s to come.
Once over the bridge, your arm muscles will be stretched to the limit (your eyes as well). It’s very strenuous because of the overhang, but it is fantastic at the same time, and the countryside is splendid. Dizzying too (to understate the case). But you have been warned!
Once you get to the monkey bridge, the going becomes easier until you reach the longest via ferrata footbridge constructed so far: an imposing 93-metre bridge.
From there you can get back to the fort and continue on the Decente aux Enfers.
Descente aux Enfers et Montée au Purgatoire (Video)
Take the path to the fort to find the beginning of the via. From a loophole in the wall of the Victor Emmanuel Fort, a path plunges down into the gorge.
The via ferrata starts gently until you reach the approach to the bridge where things begin to get complicated. First an overhanging passage, then an athletic effort to get onto the bridge. The view, from thirty metres above the river, will leave a lasting impression.
Don’t forget to take a photo (and send us a copy).
After crossing over, climb a series of easy ledges. A real delight and an enduring souvenir. The climb parallels the Nant cascades and ends above the first waterfall – beside the Marie-Thérese redoubt parking area (parking for those who want to start their via with the Traversée des Anges)
Take the time to savour the countryside before going on to the next section.
La Traversée des Anges
You don’t have to do this one – there is a footpath that avoids it – but it’s really worth the effort. Very airy and just a little demanding near the end.
Les Diablotins
This is the final section of the Ferrata du Diable trilogy (if you started from the fort). Excellent as an initiation for adults. A succession of ledges with some overhang in the middle of the cliffs. The exit is at the same loophole that is the beginning of the Descente aux Enfers.
La Vierge
Take the path to the fort to find the beginning of the via. From a loophole in the wall of the Victor Emmanuel Fort, a path plunges down into the gorge.
The via ferrata starts gently until you reach the approach to the bridge where things begin to get complicated. First an overhanging passage, then an athletic effort to get onto the bridge. The view, from thirty metres above the river, will leave a lasting impression. Don’t forget to take a photo (and send us a copy).
After crossing over, climb a series of easy ledges. A real delight and an enduring souvenir. The climb parallels the Nant cascades and ends above the first waterfall – beside the Marie-Thérese redoubt parking area (parking for those who want to start their via with the Traversée des Anges)
Take the time to savour the countryside before going on to the next section.
Les Angelots
For children. Five short sections of different heights and levels of difficulty. You can enjoy yourself, and the surroundings are very attractive. Suitable for children aged 6 and above..
Descent
Go back up the path, fork right down towards the stream, cross over the little dam, then, after crossing the gravel, rejoin the little path through the woods (blue markings) which will take you back to the parking area.
Lodging - Hotel - Restaurant
We can recommend the bakery near the Tourism Office on the main street. Nice view, great food