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Description
Map
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The Aquila Cross

The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross
The Aquila Cross

Description

Magnificent hike in the heart of a protected reserve: the Partias reserve, a wild place where flora and fauna cohabit in abundance.

Follow the dirt track to the barrier marking the entrance to the Partias Regional Nature Reserve. A descriptive sign explains the regulations in force and the specific features of this reserve.

Cross the barrier and continue straight into the heart of the Partias via a wide path for around 600 meters.

At the fork in the road, take the left-hand path towards Col de la Trancoulette (signposted). The path climbs up into the forest below Rocher Jaune, up a valley and then begins a short, steady ascent to the pass.

Once at the pass, take the left-hand path; the ridge is visible to the south-west. Signs point the way to the Aquila cross. Follow this path until the final, more aerial section through the rocks to reach the cross. The panorama from this rocky promontory is simply breathtaking.

The return journey takes the same route.

Technical Information

Walking
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
5h
Dist.
5.8 km
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Altimetric profile

Starting point

Parking des Combes Hameau des Combes Réserve Naturelle Régionale des Partias , 05100   Puy-Saint-André
Lat : 44.892742Lng : 6.570428

Points of interest

image du object

Partias Regional Nature Reserve

The Partias Reserve is a regional nature reserve covering nearly 802 hectares between 1,600 m and 2,940 m above sea level. It is home to more than 93 species of birds, 385 species of plants, and numerous variations of alpine landscapes.The Partias valley is located near the hamlet of Les Combes and its alpine chalets. It charms visitors with its harmonious mountain landscapes consisting of peaks that are jagged in the south and rounded in the north, large alpine pastures, numerous cliffs of varying orientations and colors, scree, wetlands, meadows, valleys, alpine moors, high-altitude lakes, and a beautiful larch forest, as well as a great geological diversity that promotes a wealth of animal and plant species. This 802-hectare site extends between 1,600 m and 2,940 m above sea level (Cime de la Condamine). This wide altitude gradient and a great variety of geological substrates allow the Partias to be home to a rich flora and fauna. It takes about an hour to walk there from the Puy Chalvin car park. Please note: Regulations apply in this reserve. To preserve this area, the Regional Nature Reserve staff are responsible for enforcing the regulations and advising all users. Surveillance is also provided by the various bodies responsible for environmental policing: agents from the ONF, ONCFS, ONEMA, DDT and Gendarmerie. A visit to the reserve with partner mountain guides is highly recommended: it will allow you to better discover the site's biodiversity!

Les Partias Les Combes 05100 Puy-Saint-André
- Office de tourisme des Hautes Vallees -
Consulter

Date and time

  • From 15/05/2026 to 15/11/2026
  • From 15/05/2027 to 15/11/2027

Additional information

Open period

From 15/05 to 15/11 daily.

Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.

Updated by

Office de tourisme des Hautes Vallées - La Grave - La Clarée - L'Izoard - 14/04/2026
www.hautesvallees.com/la-grave/
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Environments

Mountain view
Panoramic view
Mountain location

Topo guides and map references

Map references :
Carte IGN TOP25 n° 3536 OT Briancon / Serre-Chevalier / Montgenevre

Location complements

From the N94 marking the entrance to Briançon, turn left at the traffic lights towards Puy-Saint-André via the D35.
Drive through Puy-Saint-André and turn left to reach the heights of Puy-Chalvin. At the end of the asphalt road, turn onto a dirt road that leads to the hamlet of Les Combes. Drive through the hamlet and park in the parking lot on your left, about 100 m further on.

Reception complements

To preserve this space, Reserve staff are responsible for enforcing regulations and advising all users.

Savoir Vivre en Réserve :

- Stay on the trails
- Dogs must be kept on a leash
- Picking plants and flowers prohibited
- Bring your own garbage
- Camping and fires prohibited, bivouacs authorized
- Motorized traffic prohibited
- Respect the tranquillity of the site

Tricky passages

The final section is aerial, not to be done in wet weather.
Not recommended for those prone to vertigo.

Animals

Yes. Dog on leash mandatory

Data author

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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾