Auris hamlets

Pass through the hamlets of Auris, in search of history and heritage.
Enjoy panoramic views of the Écrins.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Departure point: Les Cours, Auris en Oisans
Difference in altitude: 200 m
Round trip time: 2h15
Distance: 5.5 km

MAP AND TOPO
Map / Topo guide OBP n°3 (on sale at the tourist office) trails 302 + 303 + 304 + 308 + 307
IGN Top 25 Bourg d'Oisans and Alpe d'Huez 3335 ET

ITINERARY
From the parking lot in the hamlet of Les Cours, join the main road, which you follow for 100 m to cross and take the path to Les Certs. The itinerary is shaded, with a few breaks to enjoy the view.
At the hamlet of Les Certs, stroll between the hamlet's houses and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before continuing your hike.
The path leading down to La Balme turns left just before the wash-house. A pretty stone staircase leads down between the houses, and the path winds through the fields to the hamlet of La Balme.
Go through La Balme, then, after the chapel, take the direction of Les Chatins, a beautiful semi-shaded balcony crossing to enjoy the breathtaking view over the Romanche and the Écrins massif, of which the Meije is queen.
At Les Châtains, take the first left onto the main road. Turn left for 50 metres, cross the road and complete the loop to the hamlet of Cours. Stop off at the eco-museum "La Maison d'Alice" in Les Cours.

Alternatively, you can do the loop from Auris Station, in the direction of Les Cours. Same route for the return.

THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
- In the hamlet of Les Certs, stroll along the narrow streets to the chapel of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, whose distinctive wooden bell tower is a special feature.
- In the hamlet of Cours, you'll find a chapel, an eco-museum and a number of sundials, all signs of sunny weather.

THINGS TO DO NEARBY
- Discover Auris' hamlets on the Heritage Orientation Trail. Available from the tourist office or downloadable from www.auris.fr.
- Sentier cheminées de La Balme" (La Balme chimney trail) plunges deep into the Romanche valley, not far from the Clapier d'Auris. This historic path is the only one to link the village to the valley.

WORTH KNOWING
Auris lies not far from the Roman road that linked Turin to Vienne via Susa, the Montgenèvre pass, Briançon, the Lautaret pass and Grenoble. Auris must have been served by a more sunny secondary route than the main one via Mont de Lans.

Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herding dogs at certain times of the year.