Awesome Aussois

After getting a little bit spooked by the exposure and solitude of Roc du Toviere (but also very pleased with ourselves for doing it in the first place), we talked to Fred at our hotel about our other via ferrata options, and he suggested a place that was a bit of a drive away but it turned out to be SUCH a great outing! Again, we got ourselves pretty spooked again but it was somehow fun.

The village is called Aussois but the feature is called Les Forts de l'Esseillon (Fort Victor Emmanuel) and it was on the other side of the National Park to Val d'Isere. It is an old fort where the Piedmontese fought to keep the French out and it is located on this really spectacular gorge. There are 7 via ferrata routes that are here, and they are meant to be for all ages and abilities. What a cool place.

Near Aussois, with the fort in the middle of the photo

Route map showing the 7 via ferratas

Here is a great photo from across the valley of the complex

We ended up only doing one of the routes - Les Diablotins - which traversed around the cliffs below Fort Victor-Emmanuel.


As we were going along, we could see people in other parts of the gorge doing the other routes. Crazy! I would like to come back here on a day when I was feeling a bit more brave.

Our route ended by climbing into one of the gun tunnels within the fort - really cool! Then we explored inside a bit before making our way out and down the trail to find a lunch spot.

Self take in front of the fort