Col de Maronne par les Sûres - Hiking from the resort of Auris-en-Oisans

Hike to Les Sûres and take in the view of Bourg-d'Oisans, the Taillefer massif, and the Romanche River. Enjoy the shade of the spruce forest that borders the resort, and once you reach the ridges, keep an eye out for marmots and chamois.

Starting from the Auris-en-Oisans ski resort, set out to conquer Les Süres, a peak rising to 1,860 m. As you climb, you’ll pass through a spruce forest—the largest of its kind on a south-facing slope in Europe. Along the trail, you’ll find a protected plant species; you’ll recognize it by the small circle of stones surrounding it. Admire these flowers without picking them—these species are fragile and can take several decades to mature.

This route offers good opportunities for wildlife spotting, so be quiet and keep your eyes peeled! Chamois frequent the cliffs and sheer rock faces that drop straight down below the Sûres ridges. You may also hear marmots whistling, especially as you continue your loop on the descent toward the Col de Maronne and the resort. Do you spot any burrows? The marmots dug them and live there year-round!

The summit of the Sûres offers a wonderful reward: a panoramic view of the Romanche Valley, Bourg-d’Oisans, and the Prégentil cliff (with its interesting geological folds), as well as part of the Écrins Massif, the Taillefer Massif, the Belledonne Massif, and finally, the Grandes Rousses Massif and the Alpe d’Huez resort (a ski area connected to Auris-en-Oisans in winter).

During your hike, you’ll find a few benches and picnic tables—perfect for enjoying the mountain air and the lush green slopes during lunch or a snack break. There’s also a mountain snack bar at the summit, where you can quench your thirst and treat yourself after this hike!

This hike is suitable for families who are already accustomed to mountain hiking and are looking for a route that takes them up high to discover an alpine panorama. Not used to hiking or traveling with young children? Opt instead to take the gondola to the summit.

Since the area isn’t frequented by herds during the summer grazing season, it’s a perfect hike for walking your dog on a leash in complete peace and quiet.

PDIPR Yellow Signs

IGN Top 25 Map 3335ET - Le Bourg d'Oisans and Alpe d'Huez

From Place des Orgières, head to Place des Écrins via the pedestrian path and the stairs that connect the resort’s two squares. At the end of Place des Écrins, head to Rue de Piégut and follow it uphill. Before reaching the resort’s last parking lot, take a wide, vehicle-accessible trail on your right. Follow this trail as it climbs gently through the spruce forest until you reach a junction where you’ll find a picnic table and a bench—the perfect spot for your first break while enjoying the view. Then follow the sign pointing toward Les Sûres. You’ll see a wooden utility pole and a trail that branches off slightly to the left right next to it; follow this path. Climb gently toward the summit through the green slopes. Stay on the hiking trail, which tends to go straight ahead along a wide path. Do not take the downhill mountain bike trails, which you can recognize by their numerous curves and bare earth.

From the summit, where the gondola’s upper station is located, head toward the picnic table situated on a flat area below. Pass the picnic table and head toward Alpe d’Huez (the resort you can see on the other side of the gorge separating us); you’ll notice a small post with a yellow sign pointing the way. Follow the trail downhill; this is the steepest part of the hike. Be sure to follow the hiking markers, which will branch off to the right to reach the Col de Maronne. Do not follow the signs for skiing. From the Col de Maronne, head down to the Auris-en-Oisans resort below via the trail that descends directly toward the Sûres gondola (quick but steep) or via the trail that passes by the barbecue area and the zip line and leads to the resort behind the Vacancéole tourist residence.