Auris: Forest, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Auris combines a high-altitude forest, hiking and cultural experiences, and seasonal winter sports. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between activities in the Piégut Forest and what the Auris-en-Oisans ski area has to offer. This gives your search for a hotel in Auris a clear focus: based on when you travel, decide whether you would like to prioritise trails, cultural heritage or winter sports.

Hiking in the Piégut Forest and to Viewpoints

The Forêt de Piégut is a 46-hectare Natura 2000 high-altitude spruce forest on the edge of the resort. Hiking is possible there in every season, though trail conditions vary with the seasons. The forest thus combines a protected high-altitude landscape with a hiking area used year-round.

One specific route through the forest is the Sentier du Bucheron, also called the Chemin du Milieu. It is an ethnobotanical trail. An accompanying educational booklet can be borrowed from the tourist office; availability may vary. If you are looking for a named trail rather than a general walk in the forest, this route gives you a clear starting point for planning.

The Belvédère de St Géraud offers views of the glaciers. It can be reached on foot in 20 minutes from the resort or in 10 minutes from the hamlet of Cluy. When planning your time, the starting point matters: the two walking times refer to different starting locations. Hiking conditions may vary.

Cultural Heritage and Guided Mountain Walks

The Chapelle Saint-Géraud was built in the 7th century. Another way to discover part of Auris's cultural heritage is the Parcours d’orientation patrimoine: les Hameaux d’Auris. It combines a playful and a sporting approach. Access depends on the weather and trail conditions.

Half-day guided mountain walks are also offered in Auris. They introduce visitors to the cultural heritage, as well as the wildlife and flora of Auris and Écrins National Park. The offer depends on the season and programme. Check the dates if such a walk is important to your travel plans.

Traditional transhumance also shapes the area’s seasonal character: every summer, from May to September, more than 2,000 sheep from the plain of La Crau are herded around Montagne de l’Homme. Details may change from year to year. The flocks, timeframe and location give this tradition a tangible connection to the landscape of Auris-en-Oisans.

Winter Sports and Summer Activities

The Auris-en-Oisans ski area has 19 varied ski runs and 12 ski lifts. These visitor figures can change from one season to the next. Check the numbers for the winter season you are planning to visit rather than assuming they remain the same.

The green Jacques le Bûcheron ski run features a themed route with attractions, colourful installations, unusual scenery and sculptures. The design and individual elements may be changed by the ski area. This makes the themed route more than just a figure in the number of ski runs: it adds further features to the winter sports offering.

In summer, the Auris bike park is accessible via the Sûres lift. This seasonal access information may change; check it before planning your summer visit.

The time estimates can also help you choose activities: the Belvédère is a 20-minute walk from the resort or a 10-minute walk from Cluy, while the guided mountain walk lasts half a day. These different timeframes provide a practical guide to whether you would like to visit a viewpoint or plan a longer guided excursion.

Discover more destinations: Bresson, Saint-Étienne-De-Saint-Geoirs, Saint-Hilaire-du-Rosier, Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, Échirolles, Noyarey, Quet-en-Beaumont, Cholonge.

For the wider travel guide: Isere.