Tour du Signal de l'Homme - Hiking from Auris-en-Oisans

On this hike, you'll enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the Alpe d'Huez resort and the Écrins, Grandes Rousses and Taillefer massifs. You'll also pass through the isolated hamlet of Cluy, with its sheepfolds and chapel.

This is an ideal half-day or full-day hike, depending on your pace.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure : Place des Orgières
Height difference: 315 m
Duration : 3h30
Distance : 9.5 km

MAP AND TOPO
Map / Topo guide OBP n°3 (on sale at the tourist office): paths 312 + 253 + 301.
IGN Top 25 Bourg d'Oisans and Alpe d'Huez 3335 ET.

ITINERARY
Start at Place des Orgières. Heading towards the Vacancéole residence, you'll pick up the route du col. Turn left around the residence, and you'll find yourself on the Col de Maronne track, which is shared with mountain bikes. Along the way, you'll find a picnic area with barbecue and a children's zip-line. Keep an eye out for marmots along the way. But be careful not to scare them off!
Once you've reached the top of the pass, which can be identified by the intersection of several trails, keep your eyes peeled: you'll be staying on the wide track that bends to the right.
Here, you'll enjoy a view of the resort's heights and the Sûres summit. As you go along, you'll gradually see the Alpe d'Huez resort appear opposite. In the distance, the Grandes Rousses dominate the Sarenne gorges.
Halfway along, at Combe des Lombards, the trail splits. Take the right-hand path, lightly grassed, as the left-hand path descends into the Sarenne gorges.
Continue on to the Col de Cluy, where you'll find another passable track. As you climb up to the col, the panorama opens up to the Écrins Massif, with the Roche de la Muzelle in particular, and the 2 Alpes ski resort in the distance. At the Col de Cluy, a yellow sign indicates a grassy path leading down to the hamlet of Cluy. The descent brings you back to a track which you can take on the right, towards the Saint-Géraud chapel.
Once at the chapel, follow the signs for the Auris-en-Oisans ski resort, a twenty-minute walk away. The path overlooks the road leading to the resort.

TO SEE ON THE WAY
Saint-Géraud chapel
Hameau de Cluy, home to the Auris-en-Oisans sheepfolds and Sainte-Ilpice chapel.

TO DISCOVER NEARBY
Alpine pastures with two shepherds, 2,500 ewes and guard dogs

PRACTICAL INFO
Dogs must be kept on a leash, but must be unleashed in the presence of the guard dogs to ensure a smooth encounter.