La Pointe de l'Observatoire

Belle randonnée avec, au sommet de la Pointe de l'Observatoire, une vue à 360° sur la Xanoise (Pralognan, petit Mont Blanc, Peclet Polset) et plus loin le Mont Blanc lui même.

Details

8075
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 987 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 987 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,007 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,030 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Départ du parking du Plan d'Amont au dessus d'Aussois (Alt. 2000m env).
(S/E) Suivre le chemin pierreux qui passe sous le barrage et s'élève pour atteindre le plan d'eau.
Continuer le long du plan d'eau, le chemin s'élève jusqu'au fond, atteindre le pont sur le torrent de Saint Benoit, c'est le Pont de la Sétéria.

(1) Traverser sur le pont et repérer le panneau peu après, suivre le sentier en direction du refuge du Fond d'Aussois. Laisser le sentier de droite qui mène au refuge de la Dent Parrachée traverser le petit pont et suivre le sentier tout droit au travers du magnifique alpage du fond d'Aussois d'où nous pouvons apercevoir le refuge au fond (quelques baraquements, la petite Chapelle N.-D. des Anges et quelques vaches seront sur votre passage). Atteindre le refuge du fond d'Aussois.

(2) Continuer le sentier en pente plus raide, le long du torrent, quelques replats puis à nouveau une bonne cote à grimper jusqu'au col d'Aussois.

(3) Prendre le temps d'admirer le paysage avant de gravir les derniers 100m de dénivelé qu'il reste à faire pour atteindre la pointe de l'Observatoire (3016 m) depuis le col.

(4) Entamer la descente par l'itinéraire aller pour rejoindre le parking (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,030 m - Plan d'Amont car park
  2. 1 : km 2.33 - alt. 2,207 m - Pont de la Sétéria
  3. 2 : km 4.01 - alt. 2,326 m - Refuge du Fond d'Aussois
  4. 3 : km 7 - alt. 2,916 m - Col d'Aussois
  5. 4 : km 7.33 - alt. 3,007 m - Pointe de l'Observatoire
  6. S/E : km 15.56 - alt. 2,030 m - Plan d'Amont car park

Worth a visit

(4) Profiter longuement de la vue sur : En face de vous, la vallée de Pralognan avec le Mont Blanc en ligne de mire, à gauche, petit Mont Blanc, Col rouge, Peclet Polset, lac Blanc, Col de Chavière.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 22 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 22795220

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb weather conditions; the Fond d'Aussois refuge was still open, and the warden was very friendly (as I had gone alone and my partner wanted me to reassure him by sending photos and text messages, and there was no signal in the park, the warden lent me her landline: hats off to her!)
a marmot spotted at the Col d'Aussois and two male ibex on the way back below the pass
the fat marmots are starting to build their winter nests.
i met several photographers who were able to capture the bearded vultures.
a great season for hiking in the park; an extraordinary day spent meeting several passionate, contemplative, genuine hikers...

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jamango
jamango

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

great hike but only for experienced walkers as the climb after the Fond d'Aussois refuge is challenging... Magnificent view from the pass, summit easily accessible but you need to use your hands in places, view of Mont Blanc in the distance. A few curious ibexes at the pass and an eagle below the summit – what more could you ask for? Be careful on the descent, as there is a drop of just over 1,000 metres from the car park at the top! a short break at the refuge at the bottom of Aussois is a must, as the staff are friendly and the food is excellent! At this time of year (August), there is no longer any snow, unfortunately! Definitely worth doing!

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you, gillesmo, for pointing that out. I have just redrawn the diagram.

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gillesmo
gillesmo

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note: The elevation gain for this hike is listed as 1,243 metres, but it is actually only 950 metres. This has been verified during the hike and in Patrick Col's guidebook, "Les randonnées de la Vanoise Haute Maurienne," which lists the elevation gain as 970 metres. This error is due to the fact that the route starts at the Col d'Aussois. This can be clearly seen on the profile. Ideally, the route should be corrected so that no one puts their life in danger by following the route provided. Nevertheless, the view from the peak is still very beautiful.

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User 16928036

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone,

This hike took place during the third week of June, outside of school holidays.
Perhaps that explains the low turnout?

This hike is very easy from the dam to the Fond d'Aussois refuge, then gradually becomes more challenging as you climb, until the last few metres before the Observatoire peak, which require you to use your hands for support.
Nothing insurmountable, though!

The view from the summit is remarkable, a great reward for the effort.

Keep in mind that this is a 3,000-metre peak, so it's best to check the weather before setting off and equip yourself accordingly.

A very good memory.

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cathycoco
cathycoco

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful hike
the last 400 metres of elevation gain are through a mess of stones and the rocks are high. I'm only 1.56 metres tall, so the big ones are less of a problem
short legs, taller people will have less difficulty
beautiful view at the summit, Mont Blanc and the Barre des Écrins
a beautiful day

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lahourcade
lahourcade

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We were lucky enough to climb in hard snow, which made our task easier, and the descent in the early afternoon was a real pleasure in the transformed snow
We received an excellent welcome at the Fond d'Aussois refuge for a very pleasant snack break

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claude.gaillard
claude.gaillard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a magnificent hike, quite challenging towards the end
we encountered a lot of snow halfway through the hike in the middle of August, and the temperatures were below freezing!
be sure to take precautions

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Maurice Meteor
Maurice Meteor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, accessible if you go at your own pace, with encounters with marmots and ibex.
the scenery is magnificent, and although it takes a bit of effort to reach the observatory, it's definitely worth the trip.

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SAVARIAU
SAVARIAU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful trousers at the Aussois pass and the tip of the observatory.
An easy route.

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fontaines
fontaines

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike along a very well-marked trail. You'll need to use your hands for the last few metres.
The valley around the refuge is very beautiful, with a torrent and marmots.
The view is superb at the Col d'Aussois and at the summit. Chamois await you at the pass.

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ANDELIA
ANDELIA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike in beautiful weather.
Sublime view from the Col d'Aussois over Mont Blanc and the Vanoise.
A few easy steps of rock climbing to reach the summit.

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schmoll
schmoll

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike
Breathtaking finale!

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maxremalian
maxremalian

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike between mountain pastures and rocks

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lbb rando
lbb rando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The Plan d'Amont car park is quite large. There are several places to camp next to your car in the lower car park or, better still, in the car park just below the dam.
The first part of the hike is very easy up to the refuge; there's even a cycle path!
After the refuge, it gets a little trickier despite the numerous cairns. Don't panic, all roads lead to Rome and the Col d'Aussois. Just be careful not to end up on the fairly slippery slabs.
I walked along the ridge to the Cime des Planettes, which I had hoped to climb, but the rock didn't seem stable enough to venture onto.
Whether going up or down, you have to pass through the pass, which has a very special atmosphere.
I left early and was lucky enough to climb almost alone, but on the way down I came across a lot of people in the valley... The Vanoise motorway, basically...
But that doesn't take away from the beauty of the place, enhanced by the lake that you can see for much of the walk.

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