Via Ferrata du Diable, Aussois, Savoie

Features

7 parts, each quite different from the other.

Escape routes exist between each part. Some via ferratas were very nicely set up for children, it's a delight for families.

Very popular and well equipped. No approach. 93m footbridge (and it's vertiginous)

ViaFerrata Tips and Tricks

Leave early because the trip is pretty long.

Start off with the descent to the "Enfers" (hells), you will not be disappointed and you'll still have strength left for the end.

For those who are tougher, start off with the Rois Mages (Three Wise Men) section (reserved strictly for experts)

Grade

Information

Aussois Tourism Office

You can rent gear in Aussois.

Length and Altitude

3.9 km total approximately.

Alt. 1,328 m.

GPS Coordinates

N 45'12'843
E 006'44'190

Time of Year

All year so long as there is not any snow. Check with the Tourism Office.

Timing

For all 7 parts:  a full day, from 6 to 8h

By Car

Take the A43 or A41 mountain highways from Geneva, Lyon, Valence, exit at Freney, then take N6 towards Torino (Italy) to Modanne.

Aussois is 7km away from Modane. There is a big free parking lot.

By Train or Bus

Aussois is 7km away from the international Modane train station. It should take 4h00 from Paris as long as there is not a strike.
Check with the SNCF: schedules and fares.

Access

For the "traversée des Anges" (on the sign, means "Angel crossing") leave your car in the parking lot of the dreaded Marie-Thérèse, next to the road linking Lanslebourg to Modane. We can also come from Aussois or from Avrieux and park at the Fort Victor-Emmanuel parking lot in order to start with the descent to the "Enfers."

We recommend this option above all others as it allows you to have enough strength to finish the three parts of the via ferrata which is, after all, fairly strenuous.

Via Ferrata

Les Rois Mages (The Three Wise Men)

This part was opened in July 2006 as a gift to via ferrata lovers and it is reserved for those who already have some experience.

This part is: tough and not for everyone especially beginners. If you see a beginner on this part knock the teeth out of the moron who encouraged him to try this part.

It starts off with a swinging bridge and getting to it is quite strenuous. If you hesitate at this part, stop there! If you get past it... keep going for the rest but keep in mind it's just a small glimpse of what awaits you.

Once you have crossed the bridge, good... now your little muscled arms will do the work as well as your eyes and ears! It's demanding as it's all overhanging, but it's beautiful with the splendid landscape and river diving into the gorge. What's more, it's very vertiginous, and that's easier said than done!

Once on the swinging bridge, all is better. It gets easier as you make your way to the longest bridge ever built for a via ferrata to this date: 93m of a spectacular bridge!

From here you can go to "le Fort" (the Fort) to continue the descent to the "Enfers."

"Descente aux Enfers" (Descent to Hell) and "Montée au Purgatoire" (Ascent to Purgatory)

Go towards the fort by means of a trail and start the via ferrata there. The descent starts from an arrowslit in the Victor-Emanuel fort and follows a pedestrian trail that dives into the gorge.

The Via Ferrata prances on until you reach the approach to the footbridge. Here things get complicated. To access the footbridge you must cross an overhanging section and it's quite demanding. Beautiful views from the footbridge 30m above the river. Feel free to take a picture.

After having crossed the bridge you climb up to some easier ledges. This section is pure delight and you will remember these landscapes long after you have seen them. The athletic climb is accompanied by the Nant waterfall. The end of the via leads you to the top of the waterfall and to the Redoute Marie-Thérèse parking lot (the parking lot for those who want to start the via ferrata with the "Traversée des Anges").

Savour the landscape before setting out for the second part: the "Traversée des Anges."

 "Traversée des Anges"

You don't have to do it since there is a footpath you can take to avoid it. But it's really worth your while. This part is very vertiginous and truly an embodiment of the void, especially near the end.

 "Les Diablotins" (Little Devils)

If you started from "le Fort," this via ferrata completes the trilogy of the Devil's Ferrata. It's a great area for beginners. A series of ledges, some overhangs in the middle of the cliffs. The exit is an arrowslit which is also the starting point for "Descente aux Enfers."

"La Vierge" (The Virgin)

A very nice "prelude" to the "Gorges du Diable" (Devil's Gorge) Via Ferrata as it is located before the aformentioned gorge.

It is generally easier than the other sections, but it nontheless has an impressive and vertiginous section (but not strenuous) when you get to the Nant waterfall: you can easily see the other via ferrata-ists going up the "Montée au Purgatoire" on the rock face opposite from the waterfall. The ferrata ends with a small footbridge that crosses over the Nant waterfall. Then you have 2 possibilities:

A)Go back to your car: go back up the trail until you reach a junction which then goes back down to the right towards the stream: cross a little dam, go up along the gravel, and take the little trail in the woods (blue markings). It will lead you to your car.

"Les Angelots" (The Cherubs)

For kids. There are 5 small sections of varying difficulties and heights. You'll have a lot of fun and the setting is really nice.

Specially adapted for children 6 years and up.

Way Back

This via ferrata is a loop. So you end where you started it.
 

Where to Spend the Night

Aussois is a ski resort so there are lots of options.

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